We will explore what has been learnt about integrating cover crops and consider the opportunity to take the next step to integrate a longer term cover using living mulches and integrating leys. Exploring the benefits of more diverse herbal leys in arable rotations and opportunities for both integrating livestock / collaborating with livestock farmers as well as the potential in stockless systems, sharing some of the insights from the SARIC project. There will be time for questions and sharing your own experiences from both arable and livestock systems.

Featuring Nathan Morris (NIAB) – Cover crops and living mulches; George Crane (NIAB) - Mycorhizzal associations; Dr Lydia Smith and Patrick McKenna (NIAB)- Herbal Leys; Emily Cooledge (Bangor University) Benefits for animal health and collaboration between arable and livestock farmers.

James Alexander (Litchfield Farm, Oxfordshire / PrimeWest) will share his experiences of putting this into practice in both organic and conventional systems. James has been innovating with cover crops, living mulch and leys for a number of years and is working in collaboration with a sheep farmer .

We also invite you all to share your own experiences and join the Q&A and discussion.

This discussion was originally planned at the Cereals soil pit - but we will now be live from the NIAB Innovation Farm - digging mini soil pits to look at the impact of different leys and covers.

Coordinated in collaboration between NIAB, Agricology and CFE.

How do I join?

This discussion will be hosted on the web platform zoom. We will send details to participants just before the event. You can join in 2 ways:

On a laptop or mobile using the free to use Zoom platform which will enable video and chat function

Dial in from any landline or mobile to the call - but will not be able to see video or join in the chat

Don't worry, it's relatively simple! :-) If you have any questions email enquiries@agricology.co.uk