Ley of the Land: Integrating Leys in the Cropping System – Lydia Smith, NIAB

Resource explained

Many progressive farmers and growers are seeing the benefits of integrating leys into cropping systems; particularly in relation to weed management and soil health. This is video footage filmed at the ORFC 2019 of Lydia Smith, Head of NIAB Innovation Farm and the Eastern Agri-Tech Innovation Hub who contributed to this session in which the benefits and practical and financial implications from research and farmer experience were explored. She explains what a project funded under the SARIC scheme that is helping to explore soil quality through re-integration of leys and sheep into an arable system is looking at and what it hopes to achieve.

Findings & recommendations

View more video footage recorded at the ORFC here.

Summary provided by:

Janie Caldbeck

Associated Agricology Partner Organisation(s):

Related articles

Sainfoin with Dr Lydia Smith at NIAB

Video outlining the challenges of growing and managing sainfoin, ways it can benefit livestock and bees, and current interesting research.

The Herbal Ley Farming System

A farmer's guide to herbal leys... focusing on the many benefits of this low ​input farming system, as well as advice on sowing and growing.

Grass-clover ley in organic rotations

A factsheet with useful tips to help you assess and plan grass and legume ley rotations; includes rules, examples and management guidance.

The Benefits of Sheep in Arable Rotations

How incorporating sheep within arable farming systems can rejuvenate soils, reduce problem weeds, improve biodiversity, & improve yields from following crops.

Rotational benefits of leys – looking to the future

We know that continuous arable cropping with annual soil cultivations and little or no inputs of organic materials is responsible for the long term decline...

Mixing it Up: Leys, livestock and arable

A slideshow providing information on some of the inspiring farming systems and a little of the science featured at the Agricology field day on January...
To top