Farming News - Winners of cover crop competition showcase future of sustainable farming
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Winners of cover crop competition showcase future of sustainable farming
Albert Bartlett Announces Winners of Inaugural Cover Crop Competition in Jersey, with Research Demonstrating Advances in Sustainable Farming Practices
Leading potato supplier Albert Bartlett congratulates winners of its first-ever Cover Crop Competition in Jersey, recognising the innovative efforts of local farmers to enhance biodiversity and sustainability in their farming practices.
The award ceremony, which took at the Jersey Farming Conference at La Mare Wine Estate, honoured local farmers pioneering cover cropping techniques that enhance biodiversity and sustainable agriculture on the island.
Launched earlier this year, the competition was held across four key categories: Best Bird Cover Crop, Best Visual Cover Crop, Best Pollinator Cover Crop and Best Soil Health Cover Crop.
The outstanding entries demonstrate the remarkable work being done by Jersey farmers to promote biodiversity, improve soil health, and support vital ecosystems.
After a thorough evaluation by an expert panel of judges—including representatives from Jersey Birds of the Edge, Normans Seed Suppliers, and the States’ Enhancement Land Resource Management Section— Albert Bartlett announced the winners:
The 2024 winners are:
- Best Bird Cover Crop: Fosse Au Bois Growers, Paul, Peter & Matt Carre
- Best Visual Cover Crop: Meleches Farms, Nick Mourant
- Best Pollinator Cover Crop: J&S Growers, Steve Baudains
- Best Soil Health Cover Crop: Somerleigh Farms, Matt Lamy
- Overall Cover Crop Winner: Fosse Au Bois Growers, Paul, Peter & Matt Carre
Research-Backed Benefits of Cover Crops for Biodiversity
The Cover Crop Competition was complemented by a research study led by Jess Sandle-Brownlie, which measured the environmental impacts of cover crops on pollinator populations, soil health, and bird diversity across Jersey. Key findings from the study reveal substantial ecological benefits:
- Pollinator Activity: Cover crops significantly boosted pollinator populations compared to traditional grass fields, with the pollinator-specific mix delivering up to six times more insect activity (a 30% increase) than control fields. Phacelia attracted particularly high numbers of bumblebees, demonstrating the value of diverse floral resources for supporting pollinator populations.
- Soil Health: Fields planted with soil health-specific cover crops, such as mustard, showed a 15% improvement in organic matter and resilience, enhancing the soil’s capacity to support healthy crop yields in subsequent growing seasons.
- Bird Diversity and Habitat: Bird-friendly cover crops achieved a 25% increase in bird visitations, demonstrating that tailored cover crop strategies can enhance local biodiversity and foster habitats for species that contributes to a balanced farm ecosystem.
These encouraging results indicate the profound benefits of cover cropping for the environment and demonstrate how farming practices can contribute to the overall health of local ecosystems. Cover crops are not only valuable for enhancing pollinator habitats but also boost soil health and biodiversity, making them a viable strategy for sustainable, regenerative agriculture.
Supporting Sustainable Agriculture for the Future
Fiona Ross Group Environmental Manager at Albert Bartlett commented: "We were absolutely delighted to organise this inaugural competition to support the fantastic biodiversity work that has been carried out by the Jersey Farming community. Celebrating and promoting the islands farmers who strive to implement best practices for the environment is a key aim of the competition and Albert Bartlett want to extend their congratulations and thanks to all the participants, supporters, funders and of course the winners.
Research carried out on the cover crops planted during this competition identified floral diversity as a vital part of promoting a healthy pollinator population with different pollinator groups preferring different flowers, colours and units to each other. With this in mind Albert Bartlett’s support of the competition will continue to evolve, with plans to expand its reach and further support Jersey farmers in their efforts to improve agricultural resilience and biodiversity for years to come.”