Cover Crops

STEPS-COV1

 

  • £140 per hectare per year
  • Annual payments
  • 4 Year Agreement

Why is this good for water quality?

Cover crops are a proven method to protect soils and reduce overwinter soil erosion, nitrate leaching and runoff.

Cover crops also contribute to soil organic matter, improving soil structure, water infiltration and retention.

Why is this good for my farm?

Cover crops offer multiple farm benefits, including enhancing soil health and fertility while reducing the need for synthetic inputs.

Cover crops can also suppress weed growth, break pest and disease lifecycles and improve insect biodiversity, which strengthens natural pest control.

This helps reduce reliance on pesticides and herbicides, lowering costs and environmental impact.

Option Specification:

Evidence Requirements:

Evidence to Apply 

Evidence to Claim 

Maps - of the fields 

Seed labels – showing the seed mix 

Representative photos of the target fields when in the previous crop 

Invoices - showing the quantity 

Details of the mix and seed rate to be used 

Photos - of the crop established 

Nutrient management plan or progress towards one 

Annual Data Collection Form 

What should I do if I want to apply?

If you would like to apply: