The benefits of under-sowing a cover crop into maize
Reduced nitrate leaching
Potential for improved digestate utilisation
Improve soil structure
Can help to reduce soil erosion
Improve organic matter levels
Potential for winter livestock grazing
Options available for the following SFI schemes: SAM2, CSAM2 and SOH4
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The environmental impact of maize growing in the UK is a topic that continues to cause debate amongst growers, environmentalists and the general public.
However, taking a more holistic approach to maize growing can drastically reduce the impact of the crop. Cover cropping maize ground reduces soil erosion, protects the soil profile and reduces nutrient leaching and one of the most reliable ways to establish a cover crop is by undersowing the growing maize crop.
There are now a number of options for maize growers within the Sustainable Farming Incentive including SAM2 multi-species winter cover crop, CSAM2 multi-species winter cover crop for growers entered into the expanded 2024 offer and SOH4 winter cover crops for maize, also within the expanded offer. All of these options can be undersown with the growing crop.
Agrovista’s range of maize undersowing and post-harvest mixtures offer flexibility around sowing, are fully compliant for the relevant SFI actions when grown in a way that meets the aims of the action and come backed by many years of research and experience.
TechniSward Soilmax
(SAM2, SOH4)
Hipast | Tall fescue plusTM (festulolium) | 40% |
Tower | Tall fescue | 50% |
Donata | Soft leaved cocksfoot | 10% |
TechniSward Soilmax Plus
(SAM2, CSAM2, SOH4)
Hipast | Tall fescue plusTM (festulolium) | 40% |
Tower | Tall fescue | 50% |
Donata | Soft leaved cocksfoot | 10% |
Specifically designed to being drilled at the same time as the maize crop (inter-row)
The slow growing tall fescue and tall fescue PLUS™ helps to suppress weed emergence without competing with the maize
As the grasses mature the root mass develops, helping to retain any residual nutrients which are left in the soil post-harvest
The deep rooting grass species also help to improve soil structure
Sow at 3 to 5kg/acre (7.5–12.5kg/ha)
TechniSward Enviromax
(SAM2, SOH4)
Twymax | Tetraploid late perennial ryegrass | 70% |
Hispast | Tall fescue plusTM (festulolium) | 20% |
Donata | Soft leaved cocksfoot | 10% |
TechniSward Enviromax Plus
(SAM2, CSAM2, SOH4)
Twymax | Tetraploid late perennial ryegrass | 60% |
Donata | Soft leaved cocksfoot | 10% |
Common Vetch | 30% |
Suitable for sowing at the 4-6 leaf stage
This mixture establishes quickly but then slows as the maize canopy closes above it
Once maize is harvested the sward will quickly establish effective ground cover to protect the soil over the winter months and then provide a crop of silage the following spring
Sow at 3 to 5kg/acre (7.5–12.5kg/ha)
Fastmax
(SAM2, SOH4)
Fox | Diploid Italian ryegrass | 30% |
Lofa | Festulolium | 30% |
Donata | Soft leaved cocksfoot | 10% |
Designed to be sown at the 4 to 6 leaf stage
Rapid early establishment slows as the maize canopy closes and then grows quickly postharvest to provide good winter cover
Capable of providing an early cut of silage the following spring
Sow at 7.5–12.5kg/ha
After Maize Cover Crop
(SAM2, CSAM2, SOH4)
Westerwolds ryegrass | 56% |
Winter vetch | 44% |
A fast-establishing winter cover crop for sowing after maize is harvested
Provides quality late winter grazing or an early cut of high protein silage the following spring
Care should be take to avoid soil contamination if a silage cut is planned for the following spring. Topping the maize stalks is also advised if a silage cut is intended
Sow at 30-37kg/ha before mid-October
To download the Agrovista 2025 maize brochure click here.