Cymraeg Below is a selection of resources that look at the agroecological production of arable crops in a mixed system.
Mixed farming through collaboration – pdf
This document looks at organic management techniques to improve the sustainability of non-organic farming.
It provides information on arable and livestock farmers working together to deliver mixed farming and lists the main agronomic, economic and/or ecological value you can expect to gain from applying the method. Access it here.
Bockhanger Farms: a Case Study – video
This short case study from DiverIMPACTS, Andy Howard, Director of Bockhanger Farms in Kent, shares his insights and expertise in intercropping – the benefits, risks and payoffs. This video covers wide rotations, intercrops and supplying lentils to Hodmedods. Watch it here.
Getting Started with Agroecological Farming: a Conversation with David Rose and George Young – podcast
David Rose and George Young share their experiences of moving towards an agroecological approach. David, a mixed farmer from Home Farm in Nottinghamshire, talks about collaborating with others to create joint enterprises, including reintegrating sheep in his rotation and establishing an agroforestry system. George Young from Fobbing Farms in Essex tells us how he is integrating a wide range of crops into the arable rotation to provide greater resilience through diversity, and highlights some of the practicalities and rewards of getting out of the commodity trap. Listen here.
Diversity In Plant Breeding – pdf
Organic crop production requires plant varieties that are resistant to disease, competitive against weeds and effective at scavenging for nutrients. This leaflet summarises information about the Organic Research Centre (ORC) Wakelyns Population. The huge diversity it offers fits well with the requirements of both low-input and organic farming. The leaflet explains that the benefits of diversity of wheat populations is understood within agriculture but until recently has not been a viable option. It sets the ORC Wakelyns Population in context with sections on breeding for organic/low input systems, the importance of diversity, defining what a ‘population’ is, and describing the ‘buffering effect.’ Read it here.
Virtual Field Day: Crop Mixtures – video
Crop mixtures (growing of two or more crops together) have been found to have beneficial impacts on weed control, standing ability, pest and disease control, and to contribute to increased or more stable yield per land area.
This virtual field day, held on August 11th 2020 and in collaboration between Agricology and James Hutton Institute and the SEAMS and DIVERSify projects, brings together insights from farmer experience and scientific research into the role of crop mixtures to address different agronomic issues and discuss some of the practicalities and end uses. Watch it here.
