Plant pasture cover crops for soil health and weed suppression

Cover Crops and Pasture Crops for Sheep and Goats

Legumes (Nitrogen Fixers)

1. White Clover (Trifolium repens)
• Benefits: Fixes nitrogen, outcompetes weeds, improves soil structure.
• Considerations: Persistent and resilient, can handle grazing.
• Best Sowing Time: Early spring or late summer
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Drill seeding to ensure good seed-to-soil contact
2. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
• Benefits: Deep roots improve soil structure, nitrogen fixation, competes well with weeds.
• Considerations: Suitable for cooler climates.
• Best Sowing Time: Early spring or late summer
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Drill seeding for better establishment
3. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
• Benefits: Deep-rooted, improves soil structure, fixes nitrogen.
• Considerations: Requires well-drained soil.
• Best Sowing Time: Spring or late summer
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Drill seeding to ensure deep root establishment

Grasses

1. Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
• Benefits: Rapid growth, dense mat crowds out weeds, improves soil organic matter.
• Considerations: Tolerates a range of conditions.
• Best Sowing Time: Early spring or autumn
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Drill seeding for uniform distribution and better establishment
2. Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
• Benefits: Deep roots improve soil structure, crowds out weeds.
• Considerations: Tolerates drought and poor soil conditions.
• Best Sowing Time: Early spring or autumn
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Drill seeding to ensure deep root growth
3. Timothy Grass (Phleum pratense)
• Benefits: Grows well in cool climates, good for soil erosion control.
• Considerations: Prefers moist, well-drained soils.
• Best Sowing Time: Early spring
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Drill seeding for optimal establishment

Brassicas

1. Forage Radish (Raphanus sativus)
• Benefits: Deep taproots break up compacted soil, scavenges nutrients, suppresses weeds.
• Considerations: Winterkills in cold climates, adding organic matter.
• Best Sowing Time: Late summer to early autumn
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Broadcast seeding followed by light harrowing for soil contact
2. Turnip (Brassica rapa)
• Benefits: Quick growing, improves soil fertility, suppresses weeds.
• Considerations: Can be grazed by livestock.
• Best Sowing Time: Late summer to early autumn
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Broadcast seeding with light incorporation
3. Kale (Brassica oleracea)
• Benefits: Cold-tolerant, provides ground cover, suppresses weeds.
• Considerations: Can be grazed by livestock.
• Best Sowing Time: Spring or late summer
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Drill seeding for even growth and good soil contact

Other Cover Crops

1. Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)
• Benefits: Rapid growth, excellent weed suppression, attracts beneficial insects.
• Considerations: Grows well in poor soils, short growing season.
• Best Sowing Time: Late spring to early summer
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Broadcast seeding followed by light harrowing
2. Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)
• Benefits: Quick-growing, excellent for weed suppression, attracts pollinators.
• Considerations: Suitable for a variety of soil types.
• Best Sowing Time: Spring to early summer
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Broadcast seeding with light soil incorporation
3. Sorghum-Sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor x S. sudanense)
• Benefits: High biomass production, excellent weed suppression, improves soil organic matter.
• Considerations: Warm-season grass, can handle drought conditions.
• Best Sowing Time: Late spring to early summer
• Methods: Broadcast seeding, drilling
• Best Method: Drill seeding for uniform stand and better establishment

Implementation Tips for Sheep and Goats

1. Grazing Management: Implement rotational grazing to maximise pasture health and productivity. This allows cover crops to recover and reduces weed pressure.
2. Soil Preparation: Prior to sowing, prepare the soil by removing existing weeds, tilling if necessary, and ensuring good seedbed preparation.
3. Seed Incorporation: For broadcast seeding, lightly harrow or roll the soil after seeding to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
4. Watering: Ensure adequate moisture for seed germination, especially for spring and summer plantings.
5. Fencing: Protect newly sown areas from grazing until the plants are well-established to prevent damage by sheep and goats.