Catch/Cover Crops

Catch crops utilise residual nutrients in the soil following the harvest of a cereal or oilseed crop, thus maintaining soil biology and preventing leaching of soluble nutrients. With their vigorous root systems, these crop species condition and break up the soil, making it more friable for ease of cultivation, while the residual herbage that remains, greatly enhances the organic carbon content and structure of the soil.

Catch crops generate a large mass of herbage which helps protect the soil from

exposure to heavy rainfall during the winter period. This reduces the potential of soil erosion and surface run-off while also increasing water infiltration.

For Winter Cropping System – €173/ha/year is paid while for Other Cropping System: €229/ha/year. Minimum area 0.5 hectares – maximum -20 hectares.

See link below for more details: