COMPANION cropping and inter-cropping on farms that aim to be as self-sufficient as possible have shown to be cost effective in an ever challenging industry.

That was the main headline at the Livestock in Low Input Systems Conference, held at Lower Mill of Tynet Farm, near Buckie, where no-till farmer, Andrew Howard, a Nuffield Scholar, from Kent, told producers he has not only increased crop yields but also reduced input costs on his farm.

“The potential for companion cropping and intercropping is absolutely huge. These practices are a tool which can push farmers forward, especially with the environmental pressures which we have upon us,” explained Mr Howard, who began inter-cropping in 2013, on his 350ha unit, where he grows wheat, beans, oats, linseed, barley and peola.

Mr Howard has been experimenting methods of soil improvement and nutrient balance in a bid to increase farm performance, which, in turn, has reduced his ever increasing costs such as fuel, fertiliser, labour and machinery.

“Combining crops not only reduces your main costs, but can also produce up to 30% more crop yield. These benefits need to be demonstrated throughout the supply chain, from processors right to end producers,” he added.

With his arable enterprise maintaining zero tillage for the past five years, he has introduced a various mix of crops which have proved successful, with Peola – a combination of spring oats and spring peas with the same harvest time – proving particularly beneficial in it’s ability to boost pea stability while also preventing lodging. Disease pressure and nutrient deficiency is also reduced.

Costs have been minimised too, with no fertiliser required due to the nitrogen fixing bacteria contained in the peas.

Weeds have also been decreased by combining legumes with cereals, as some weed species only germinate when soil nitrate levels are around 50ppm.

Planting cereals with legumes also helps soak up excess nitrates, reducing weed germination.

Disease in inter-cropping has also been curtailed as pests are confused with the different species of plants, while the actual spread of disease is minimised due to the distances between plants of the species.

On harvest, peola can be split into the two original crops of oats and peas and sold individually.