Giving our fields a rest

A couple of weeks ago, the contractors were in, cultivating and drilling two of our fields. The kids were delighted to have their bi-annual trip to see Connor drilling (he drills our maize in the spring too) but I'll be honest: I wasn't entirely sure what was going on. So I asked Sam, and here's what I learned.

Two fields, two different jobs

What I hadn't realised is that the two fields were getting quite different treatment, for two different crops.

Field one: a cover crop

The grass in this field had been working hard for a long time. It was looking a bit tired and wasn't doing as well as it should, so Sam decided it was time to give the field a break.

The contractors cultivated the ground and sowed a cover crop. A cover crop isn't grown to be harvested. Its job is to cover and protect the soil over winter, and do some good underneath while it's there. This mix includes:

• Legumes, which have a clever trick: they take nitrogen from the air and put it into the soil, where the next crop can use it.

• Radishes, whose long roots push down through the ground, breaking up compacted soil and helping it drain and breathe.

The cover crop will stay until spring. After that, Sam will sow something new. Most likely fresh grass, but he's keeping his options open for now.

Field two: SFI

In the second field, the contractors drilled straight into the existing grass, without ploughing at all. This one is through SFI, the Sustainable Farming Incentive. It's a government scheme that encourages farmers to grow crops that might not bring in any money themselves, but are important for biodiversity and soil health.

Here, a legume rich mix has been direct drilled into the grass that was already there.

What's the point?

It all comes back to the soil. Healthy soil grows better grass, and better grass is what our cattle live on for most of the year. It's slow work, and you don't see the results overnight, but it's one of those jobs that pays back for years to come.

I'll keep you posted on how both fields look in spring. And next time the contractors roll in, at least I'll know what to ask!

Emma