As much as I usually dislike the month of January, what with it being 11 weeks long and facing the guilt of my damp attempt at dry January, this one was rather pleasant.

Days felt longer, buds appeared on the trees, and the birds sang that bit louder.

However, the drill is staying firmly locked up until it’s dry and warm enough to walk into the fields and bare one’s bottom.

See also: How soil testing can tackle sugar beet cyst nematode

About the author

Anthony Becvar

Anthony Becvar is a third-generation farmer of an 80ha mixed farm in East Sussex on heavy Weald Clay. Crops include spring beans, winter wheat and spring barley, alongside diversification projects which include two breweries and an agricultural mechanic.

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The year-long cover crop trial with the AHDB and South East Water continues, and what is clearly apparent is that the more plants in the mix, the better.

The four-species mix with rye predominant has not done well due to slugs and rainfall.

However, the mix of seven has allowed certain plants to step up where others haven’t been up to the job, and proved that winter soil cover is must-have.

Both contain brome, so we’re looking at a grassweed strategy as we prepare to enhance both with further cover planting.

This trial so far has greatly highlighted the role cover crops can play in conditioning the soil, but also gives food for thought on how they can be used to our advantage as a weed control mechanism for the following crop.

“Plan H” so far is to trial the addition of another plant such as buckwheat to fill the gaps.

I’m then interested in flailing this after it has set seed, discing (lightly) and rolling before sowing the cash crop.

Our clay-based soils do not fare well under the autumn and winter deluges with so much bare soil visible. So having cover at the time of drilling and through winter would be hugely beneficial.

As we must forego pre-emergence to grow companions, this cover needs to act to suppress grassweeds as well.

It’s a balancing act, but with more trialling it might be possible to find the right mix and hone the timing of establishment, drilling and destruction.

Relay cropping like this could be a big part of the answer to improving our soil.

We celebrated Imbolc on 2 February to cheer in the start of spring, with a procession through the farmyard with flaming torches and lighting the bonfire.

Being St Brigid’s feast day, I asked her for a favourable farming year.

She’s the patron saint of fugitives, Irish nuns and sailors, but also chicken farms and cattle, so hopefully she’ll be able to help.