The use of cover crops in the UK: a survey

A sustainable soil management survey targeting UK arable farmers was distributed via online platforms throughout the winter of 2016–2017. The main focus of the survey was the use and management of cover crops along with tillage practice and aspects of soil health. Following harvest in 2016 two-thirds of participants used a cover crop, with 56% of those using a cover crop having 3 years or less experience. There is evidence that the species selected as a cover crop is linked to soil type whilst the benefits to soil structure is related to the extent of farmer experience. Of the participants using cover crops 81% used herbicide to terminate the cover crop. Participants provided suggestions for improvements to ecological focus area rules (based on the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme) for cover and catch crops with 70% of participants suggesting they are not suitable.