New Greening rules coming into force in 2026 will bring many more Scottish farms into the Ecological Focus Area (EFA) system, with cover crops expected to play a much bigger role than before.
The Scottish Government has confirmed that the grassland exemption, which previously excluded holdings with 75% or more grassland, will be scrapped. From 2026, any non-organic business with more than 15 hectares of arable land, including temporary grass, will be required to dedicate 5% of that area to EFAs.
The government says the move is part of a wider effort to boost biodiversity, improve soil structure and reduce nutrient loss. Alongside updates to existing options, four new EFA choices have been added: Low Input Grassland, Herb and Legume-Rich Pastures, Unharvested Crop, and Agroforestry (Low-Density Planting).
But while the new rules may sound bureaucratic, advisers say they open up real opportunities for farmers to get more from their land.
Peter Lindsay, principal consultant with SAC Consulting, says farmers shouldn’t view cover crops purely as a compliance burden.
“You don’t need to destroy what’s there or go ploughing to plant something new. Even volunteers or annual meadow grass are perfectly good at soaking up nitrogen that would otherwise leach away over winter.”
He says cover crops shouldn’t be overcomplicated or expensive. “It doesn’t have to be fancy. A bit of green growth doing a job is better than bare soil washing away.”
One of the most welcome changes for 2026 is the relaxation of the grazing rules for green cover. Farmers will now be allowed to graze as soon as crops are fit, rather than waiting until January 1.
“That’s a big one,” says Mr Lindsay. “Before, by the time the sheep were allowed in, a hard frost might already have killed off the brassicas and mustards. Now, if there’s hard standing there, you can graze it when it’s ready – that’s common sense.”
The list of species eligible for green cover has also been expanded to include kale, forage rape, stubble turnip, buckwheat, crimson clover, Persian clover and winter beans.
“It’s not about buzzwords like ‘regenerative farming’ – it’s just good, old-fashioned mixed farming,” Mr Lindsay explains. “Having livestock in the rotation isn’t a bad thing. It gets organic matter back into the soil and can make a real difference to soil health.”
Despite the broader options, he warns that timing and planning are still critical, particularly in Scotland’s short growing season.
“If you leave it until the end of October, you’re really just ticking a box,” he says. “We’ve been trialling broadcasting cover crops into standing spring barley about two weeks before harvest. Once the light gets in after combining, away it goes. A week in August is worth a whole month in October.”
He says early establishment has been the key to success this year. “It’s been an early harvest and we’ve had moisture, so everything’s grown – weeds, volunteers, cover crops, the lot. The difference between getting it in early or late can be night and day.”
While cover crops offer multiple benefits, from reducing nitrogen losses to improving soil structure, Mr Lindsay warns they can also create problems if not thought through.
“You’ve got to plan ahead so your cover crop doesn’t become a weed in the next cash crop,” he says. “If you’re growing oilseed rape, avoid putting in mustards or radishes beforehand, because you can’t spray them out later. Likewise, don’t put rye in before spring barley – it’ll come back through, and there’s no chemistry to deal with it.”
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He adds that cover crops can occasionally act as a ‘green bridge’ for pests like aphids or diseases, especially in mild winters. “That’s always a risk, but a good cold snap usually sorts it,” he says. “Some people will kill off the cover crop a few weeks before sowing the next crop to be safe.”
The ability to graze cover crops earlier could also help rebuild links between arable and livestock producers.
“It’s already happening,” Lindsay says. “You’re seeing sheep brought onto arable fields for a few weeks of keep. The big thing is making it worthwhile – you need enough grazing to justify the fencing and the effort.”
He notes that new electric fencing systems and solar-powered packs have made temporary setups much more practical. “The guys that are kitted up for it now can put up and take down fences quickly. It’s a win-win if you can get stock on and get the soil benefit too.”
Milder autumns are also changing how Scottish farmers think about cover crops.
“This year it’s November and still 15 degrees,” says Mr Lindsay. “Everything’s still actively growing. Farmers are grazing already, and there’s plenty of keep in front of them.”
But he adds that the Scottish climate still poses challenges. “In England, they can stop combining at seven and say, ‘We’ll do it tomorrow’. We don’t have that luxury. Up here, you grab the weather when you’ve got it.”
Mr Lindsay believes that despite the extra paperwork, the rule changes make greening more meaningful for farmers.
“It’s not just about ticking boxes anymore,” he says. “These crops can be useful. They protect the soil, catch nutrients, feed livestock, and build organic matter. It’s a positive move. Ultimately, a living root in the soil is never a bad thing – that’s the principle to keep in mind.”
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