Cover cropping is the plants covering the soil on farmland between the harvest and sowing the next set of crops
A ground-breaking study has revealed that cover cropping can increase crop yields, boost soil health and bring about a range of environmental benefits.
In the study of 13 Kelloggâs farmers by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), farmers who used cover crops saw yield responses up by 25 per cent and a 50 per cent reduction in nitrogen leeching.
In more than 90 per cent of farms the number of worms increased which increased which are essential for healthy, functioning soils.
Interestingly more than three quarters of Kellogg's Origins famers farms that used cover crops reached their worm target â compared to half for those that didnât.
Cover cropping is the plants covering the soil on farmland between the harvest and sowing the next set of crops â it helps to prevent soil erosion, improve soil structure, increase organic matter and suppress weeds and pests.
The results of the study have been condensed into a âCover Crop Cook Bookâ, which gives guidance on agronomy to farmers and offers a range of practical approaches to cover cropping.
The book has been shared with 3,000 farmers and experts throughout the UK in the hope theyâll take up cover cropping and share their knowledge to develop best practice.
'Sustainability of farmersâ crops'
Ann Noble, Kelloggâs sustainability manager, said: "This study arose from engagement with our Kelloggâs Origins farmers.
"At Kelloggâs, we want to ensure the sustainability of our farmersâ crops with better quality grains and healthy soils.
"One of the key areas weâre looking at is the use of cover crops, which is not only a great way of improving soil structure and supporting biodiversity but also â according to this ground breaking study â yield a business benefit too.
"When the research for the report began, we were aware of the potential benefits of cover cropping, but there wasnât a great deal of fieldwork â until now."
'Resources are scarcer'
Ron Stobart, NIABâs head of Farming Systems Research, said: "If you travelled 100 years back in time, most farmers would have known about cover cropping, but for so long now the answer has come in a bag, with artificial fertilisers.
"Now resources are scarcer, and companies like Kelloggâs are leading the way in integrating the best sustainable practices with modern commercial production.
"Thereâs a great deal of interest among the farming community in managing soil resources, and with this study weâve brought some science on what was a bit of a grey area to get some answers on the benefits of cover cropping.
"Itâs given Kelloggâs growers confidence, achieved great buy-in, and weâre happy to share that knowledge in the Cover Crop Cook Book."