Ideal Planting Date: Mid-March to Mid-April
Ideal Sowing Depth: 3–4 cm
Seed Rate: 70–75* kg/acre (175–190* kg/ha)
*Organic Seed Rate

Increase seed rate if sowing after 15th April. Decrease seed rate by 30% if under-sowing.

In fertile soils, the vigour of standard Wholecrop BPX can shade out grass seedlings, especially slower growing, longer term species.

For these situations we produce a version of the mix with a shorter, less aggressive barley. To optimise grass establishment decrease cover crop seed rate by 30% and sow the grass seed on the same day

Why Peas?
✓ Higher protein and ME than straight cereal wholecrop
✓ Potential to add +70kg/ha of Nitrogen to the following crop
✓ Similar harvest date to Spring Barley companion crop
✓ 3–5 weeks earlier than Lupins 

Why Maple Peas?
✓ More vigorous than other peas—Easier to establish!
✓ Tannin in seed protects it from pests and disease 
✓ Less attractive to pigeons!
✓ Higher protein % than conventional peas

Why Rose and Rainbow?
✓ High grain yield for a Maple Pea, gives optimum nutrient densities
✓ Proven in wholecrop trials
✓ Tall, very stiff-stemmed, semi-leafless variety
✓ Early ripening
✓ Small seeded varieties for easier drilling and low seed rates

✓ More compatible with barley than aggressive forage peas

Why Spring Barley?
✓ Proven high wholecrop yield
✓ Better ‘D’ value than Wheat, Triticale or Oats
✓ Earlier than the other spring cereals
✓ Harvest date similar to peas

Why Westminster Barley?
✓ Good grain yield for optimum energy density
✓ Aggressive tillering and very competitive
✓ Tall, fairly stiff, but highly digestible straw
✓ Excellent Mildew and Rhynchosporium resistance

Mixtures with other cereal and pulse species are also available