Despite windy conditions, steady rain and plenty of mud underfoot, the cover crop showcase at the Victorian Vegetable Innovation Days (VicVID) at Taranto Farms in Tyabb from 7-8 May attracted strong interest across the two-day event.
Over 60 people braved the weather to walk through the showcase with Soil Wealth ICP team members Umberto Calvo and Carl Larsen.
The team provided an engaging overview of the eight cover crops planted at the showcase site, highlighting the unique benefits each species can bring to a farming system and exploring how different crop types can improve soil health, nutrient cycling and weed management, while also helping growers better understand which species may best suit their own operations.
A key focus was on legumes, including vetch and field peas, and their ability to fix nitrogen through their relationship with soil bacteria. Attendees also heard about the benefits of combining legumes with grass species to improve overall system performance and biomass production.
Deep-rooted crops were highlighted for their role in improving soil structure and reducing compaction, while fast-growing species such as buckwheat were discussed for their ability to rapidly produce biomass and suppress weeds.
For growers still exploring how cover crops may fit into their systems, Umberto and Carl encouraged defining a clear objective and starting with a mixed-species planting to better understand the range of benefits available before narrowing down to specific species.
Three different termination methods were also showcased: mowing, spraying and rolling, giving attendees the opportunity to compare the practical outcomes of each approach. It’s important to think about the method and timing of termination before you plant cover crops, based on your plans for the following cash crop and available machinery.
Watch our quick recap here.
