s Undersowing mixtures for maize

Undersowing mixtures for maize

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

technisward grass eed logo with green grass blade

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.