Innovative farmers improve soils in shared rotations.

Innovative farmers improve soils in shared rotations. Three forward thinking arable and horticultural farmers, who each grow different crops in a shared rented land rotation, are pioneering a collaborative approach to improving the long-term health of their soils. Jepco, Lovedon Estates and Worth Farm introduced overwintering cover crops into their shared rotations to improve organic matter and soil health and to assess the impact on yields and quality of their cash crops – sugar beet, potatoes and lettuce. The collaboration is part of the AHDB GREATsoils programme and early anecdotal feedback indicates the farmer-led trial is already starting to reap rewards. Nick Sheppard, Jepco said: “We have found an increase of almost eight per cent in lettuce yield after overwintering cover crops, compared to bare soils. We also perceived a reduction in fuel use in soil cultivation and better water infiltration after heavy rain falls in the lettuce fields that had an overwintered cover crop, compared to fields which were ploughed or left as an over winter stubble." Innovative farmers improve soils in shared rotations.