Considerations when grazing cover crops
This year, many livestock farms will be introducing Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) for the first time. Green cover crops improve biodiversity, soil structure,听fertility听and an opportunity for sheep farmers to utilise the crop as a valuable winter feed source.听Under the听current听2026 greening rules this cover crop must be听established听before听1听November听and听maintained听until 31 December.听Mixtures听must听include two or more of the following species: alfalfa, barley, alsike clover,听balansa听clover, crimson clover, red clover,听persian听clover, white clover, buckwheat, mustard, oats, phacelia, radish, rye, triticale, vetch, kale, forage rape, stubble turnip and beans.听听
However,听some considerations must be made if looking to grazing cover crops including:听听
- Consider run off risk while grazing, sheep may be more suitable听than cattle,听particularly if grazing heavy soils.听
- Transition stock gradually听when changing diet听to avoid issues with听bloat.听Also,听introduce stock while full to reduce the chance of gorging.听
- Provide听additional听forage or a grass run back area where possible to avoid nutritional听challenges to听supplement听at least 30% of dry matter.听
- For best听utilisation听and allocation,听block or strip听grazing should be considered听with regular moves. Back fencing may also be a consideration to reduce compaction.听听
- If providing mineral blocks or forage in a ring feeder these should also be moved regularly to avoid areas of heavy traffic.听听
- Do not let the land cover become bare earth or poached, as the听objective听of the听option听is to prevent run-off and build fertility and organic matter in the soil.听
- Remember听to provide access to听clean running听water.听听
- Ensure sheep are up to date with their clostridial vaccines before听grazing cover crops.听听
There are some听additional听considerations to be made depending on species included in the cover crop mix. Please see below table for further guidance.听
Lorna Shaw,听Senior听Beef听and听Sheep听Nutritionist,听Lorna.Shaw@sac.co.uk
Posted by SAC Consulting on 18/08/2026
