Catch Crops
Premium seed mixtures designed for multiple crop rotation systems
Our Range Of Products
Click on the product below to explore the Goldcrop Catch Crop product range. For further details, ordering, or if you are looking for Bespoke mixtures, please contact your Goldcrop sales representative.
*Bespoke Mixtures Are Also Available from Goldcrop.
Catch Crops
ACRES SCHEME
All Goldcrop Catch Crops are Approved on the following ACRES Scheme Measures
✔︎ Catch crops
✔︎ Environmental Management of Arable Fallow
✔︎ Geese and Swans
It is Important to Read the Full Acres Specification from DAFM [ link below ]
Objective
To establish a catch crop that will reduce nutrient leaching and help prevent soil erosion in the autumn/winter period.
Site Suitability
This action is only applicable on LPIS parcels declared as tillage crop in the 2023 BISS application. If rotated in subsequent years, it must be claimed on tillage parcels.
Requirements
✔︎ Establish a catch crop using non-inversion techniques (ploughing is not allowed). The crop must be sown before 15 September each year.
✔︎ The minimum area to be delivered is 0.5 hectares. If selected as a priority action, the minimum area to be delivered is 6 hectares. The maximum area for payment is 20 hectares.
✔︎ When sowing the catch crop, the under-sowing or sowing of a grass crop is not permitted.
✔︎ A main cereal crop cannot be undersown with catch crop species.
✔︎ The seed mixture must consist of at least two species from the prescribed list. For the mandatory two species, the
minimum seed rates, as outlined in Table 1, must be used.
✔︎ The catch crop must remain in situ from the date of sowing to 1 January annually.
✔︎ After 1 January, light grazing or incorporation is permitted. Participants should ensure grazing only takes
place on parcels where soil erosion is not considered to be an issue. Intensive strip grazing/zero grazing is not permitted.
| Brassicas | Legumes | Cereals | Others | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forage/Fodder Rape | 8kg/ha | Vetch | 30kg/ha | Oats | 60kg/ha | Buckwheat | 50kg/ha |
| Leafy Turnip | 8kg/ha | Crimson Clover | 15kg/ha | Black Oats | 30kg/ha | Phacelia | 8kg/ha |
| Mustard (WHITE) | 10kg/ha | Berseem Clover | 15kg/ha | Rye | 60kg/ha | Linseed | 30kg/ha |
| Tillage/Oilseed Radish | 10kg/ha | Red Clover | 20kg/ha | Sunflower | 20kg/ha | ||
| Kale/Rape Hybrid | 8kgs/ha | Beans | 140kg/ha | ||||
| Peas | 80kg/ha | ||||||
Additional Guidance
TIt is recommended to use 3 or more seed species to extend the functionality of the mix. Where this occurs, at least two seed species from the prescribed list above must be selected using at least the minimum rates. Any subsequent species may be used at whatever rate the participant deems appropriate.
SELECTED INFORMATION FROM THE ACRES SCHEME SPECIFICATION (NOVEMBER 2022)
Uncover the Advantages of Embracing a Catch Crop
Embracing a catch crop during the winter season brings forth numerous advantages compared to leaving the land uncultivated.
To begin with, these crops play a vital role in shielding the soil from erosion while also curbing the growth of unwanted weeds. The diverse root structures found in catch crop mixtures work wonders for enhancing the soil’s overall structure. This, in turn, positively affects nutrient release and water retention, and even makes the land more accessible for various purposes. Furthermore, catch crops contribute significantly to improving both the chemical and biological aspects of the soil.
A noteworthy benefit is that catch crops effectively store and release essential nutrients for the subsequent cash crop to thrive. Moreover, depending on the specific species used, catch crops can effectively break the cycles of pests and diseases that may otherwise harm the main crop.
An added bonus is that certain catch crops can serve as a grazing option for livestock during the winter season, providing valuable sustenance. It’s worth noting that sowing catch crops aligns with various DAFM schemes, including the widely supported ACRES program.
Catch Crops Products Best Practice
Mixtures
- For best results, sow catch crops immediately after harvest.
- Most catch crop species have small seeds; these require a fine and firm seedbed and a sowing depth of 1-2cm. Seeds must be in good contact with soil and moisture. Ensure the seedbed is well consolidated.
- Do not allow catch crop plants to set seeds.
Important Considerations When Choosing a Catch Crop Mixture:
- Sowing date – some species are unsuitable for late sowing (vetch, peas and clovers).
- Where grazing is planned – choose palatable and nutritious species capable of producing adequate crop yield.
- Minimise Disease risks – the main considerations are Clubroot (brassicas) and Oat Mosaic Virus.
- If nitrogen fixation is required, include a legume.