Intercropping: findings from on-farm trials and the LEGUMINOSE project

Hear learnings from the Horizon Europe LEGUMINOSE project, including the potential for cereal/legume intercropping to provide on-farm resilience by improving UK production of protein with potential uses for livestock and human consumption markets, and supporting nature friendly farming.

Intercropping is an ancient agricultural technique where two or more plant species are grown simultaneously in the same field. Despite its environmental and economic benefits, intercropping is still a niche practice in the EU: Only 2% of European arable land is used for legume-cereal intercropping.

The on-farm trials, and the LEGUMINOSE project aimed to investigate the benefits of intercropping, identify the barriers which prevent farmers adopting the practice, and provide farmers with practical, science-based information on the practice.

Find out more about the Innovative Farmers trial here.

Agenda

14.00 – Introduction to the Leguminose project: Chair, Jerry Alford

14.05 – Key findings from UK on-farm trials

14.15 – Intercropping – a farmer’s view: Matt England

14.25 – The effect of nitrogen on intercrops: Dr Tom Sizmur

14.35 – Findings from European partner trial results:

14.45 – Intro to the Decision Support Tool

14.55 – Breaking down the barriers to intercropping

15.00 – Q&A and panel discussion

15.15 – Close

Speakers and panellists:

Jerry Alford – Senior Farming Advisor, Soil Associaiton

Matt England – Farmer and trialist

Dr Tom Sizmur – Associate Professor, University of Reading

LEGUMINOSE is a Horizon Europe funded project, with UK funding provided by UKRI, investigating plant interactions in a cereal and pulse intercrop, and working with farmers and stakeholders to remove barriers to adoption of intercropping. For more information on LEGUMINOSE see the project website: https://www.leguminose.eu/