A wheat–wheat–fallow sequence sounds at odds with rotation diversity, but Oxfordshire farmer Ben Adams is testing a more complex version because he could not identify a consistently profitable break crop. The proposed system uses covers, a legume wholecrop, manure and livestock relationships to supply many of the functions normally expected from a break crop.
The ‘fallow’ is biologically active
Winter wheat is followed by an overwinter cover before spring wheat, then by a wholecrop mixture of oats, winter beans, winter vetch and crimson clover. Neighbouring beef farmers harvest the mixture and return manure, after which a summer cover is established and wheat is direct-drilled.
The farm is also experimenting with compost, biological inputs, intercrops, wheat variety blends and seed drenches. Conventional seed treatments and insecticides have been dropped, while tillage depth has been reduced and a low-disturbance subsoiler is used only where soil damage needs correction.
The trial must work financially and operationally
Adams expected the legume crop, manure and summer cover to reduce synthetic nitrogen demand. Initial calculations suggested overall input use had fallen by about 30%, but he stressed that profitability and the gross margin across the full rotation still had to be proven.
The rotation may also spread fieldwork and suit a smaller workforce. It remains a trial, not a recommendation to remove break crops everywhere. Local weed pressure, markets, soil condition, livestock partners and regulations will determine whether the design is resilient.
Read the original report: Farmers Weekly.