Drill cover crops with match funding

Midland farmers can receive funding and free specialist advice to drill cover crops this autumn – thanks to Severn Trent’s Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS).

The water company is paying growers up to £175/ha to match-fund seed purchases. It is also offering free support from its team of agricultural advisers, as well as on-farm soil testing and advice via webinars.

Severn Trent principal catchment management scientist Alex Cooke said: “In the last round of STEPS grants, we funded over 5,500ha of cover crops –which are vital tools in building healthy soils and improving water quality.”

Funding options

“We always encourage farmers to speak to their local agricultural adviser before applying for any match funded STEPS options. The team is on-hand to discuss the most suitable cover crop options for your farm.”

Match funding is available to farmers in priority catchments to help prevent nitrates from reaching watercourses. Fully-funded Specialised On Farm Advice (SOFA) visits are offered for support in areas beyond Severn Trent’s own expertise.

Seed mixtures recommended by the scheme aim to offer the most value for soil health and future field productivity, said Dr Cooke. “Having this information from your adviser will also improve the likelihood of your application being successful.”

Cover crops help prevent soil damage during the wetter months, which is key to maximising future crop productivity and water quality – one reason Severn Trent introduced the scheme.

Dr Cooke said: “Biofumigant species, such as Brown or Indian mustard and radish, can help control soil-borne pathogens, while deep-rooting species, such as radish, can scavenge nitrogen and retain it for use by subsequent crops.”

The deadline for applications is 31 December 2023. For more information and full eligibility criteria, contact your local Severn Trent agricultural adviser or visit www.stwater.co.uk/steps