Growing herbal leys has increased in popularity over recent years, with many farmers opting to grow them under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).
Growing herbal leys has increased in popularity over recent years, with many farmers opting to grow them under the Sustainable Farming Incentive . But for farmers who have decided to grow them, what is the best way to ensure they get off to the best start?Manage the mixes as you would a cash crop. It’s not just a case of entering a non-productive area into a stewardship scheme and hoping for the best.
There are other factors to consider, like seedbed preparation, conditions at time of sowing, drilling depth, nutrient management, soil fertility, and future management requirements. Above all, consider the objective of any of the SFI options before signing up to an agreement. Look at what it will be used for, how best to manage it, and how it is going to benefit the existing enterprise, then choose the correct seed mixture to suit your needs.When selecting a herbal ley mixture, consider what it will be used for. Different seed mixtures are available and tailored to either cutting or grazing.
There is little benefit in choosing a scheme option based on payment alone, if the scheme itself is not going to support existing farming practices. For arable farmers looking to incorporate livestock into the rotation, then herbal leys are a great option to provide forage whilst supporting soil health.Consider the location in terms of management. Locating the ley somewhere that’s difficult to access, either for machinery or when it comes to moving stock between fields, would not be helpful.
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