What's a straightforward legume to add nitrogen to a paddock over winter?
We recommend our VNS Field Peas as a practical winter legume for green manure or cover cropping. Field peas establish readily and fix nitrogen when inoculated with a pea inoculant. They also produce useful biomass to protect and feed the soil. They suit a range of well-drained soils. Talk to us about the sowing rate for your purpose.
What does VNS mean on field peas?
VNS stands for "variety not stated". Our VNS Field Peas are sold without a named variety, so they are best suited to general uses such as green manure, cover crops and grazing, where specific varietal traits are less important. If you need known disease or salinity tolerance, our Coogee Field Peas are the named option.
What legume can I put in a winter cover crop mix with oats or rye?
Our VNS Field Peas are a good legume to add to a winter cover crop with oats or Cereal Ryecorn. The peas fix nitrogen, which helps offset nitrogen tie-up from the cereal, and the cereal gives the vines something to climb. Our Cover Crop Plus Winter and Green Manure Mix are ready-made alternatives.
When should I sow field peas in WA?
We suggest sowing field peas such as our VNS Field Peas in autumn to early winter, after a reliable break when there is good soil moisture. Inoculate the seed before sowing. Sow at a depth where the seed reaches moisture, as peas are a large seed. Avoid sowing too early into warm, dry soil after a false break.
Can I graze a pea crop, and are there any stock issues?
Yes, field peas such as our VNS Field Peas can be grazed by sheep and cattle and are good quality feed. As with any lush legume, introduce stock gradually and watch for bloat. Grazing lightly early and managing grain intake reduces the risk of digestive upsets. Mixing peas with a cereal also helps balance the ration.
Do field peas cope with waterlogging?
Field peas, including our VNS Field Peas, generally don't like waterlogging and do best on well-drained soils. Wet feet can cause root disease and poor growth. For wetter paddocks, consider our Cereal Ryecorn or a waterlogging-tolerant clover. For ground that drains but has low pH or salinity issues, our Coogee Field Peas are a better named option.
Can VNS field peas be cut for hay?
Yes, field peas such as our VNS Field Peas can be cut for hay, often in a mix with oats to improve drying and bulk. Cut before the pods fill too much to balance quality and yield. Peas add protein to the hay. Our Silahay Mix is also designed with fodder conservation in mind.
What's a good green manure to brown manure before a canola crop?
Field peas are a common choice, and our VNS Field Peas suit this well. Brown manuring means spraying out the crop at flowering and leaving the residue on the surface, which captures nitrogen, conserves moisture and helps control weeds. Inoculate the seed so the peas fix nitrogen, and time the spray-out before weeds set seed.
Do field peas regenerate the next year like clover?
No, field peas are annuals and don't regenerate like a hard-seeded clover, so we recommend resowing our VNS Field Peas each time. Some volunteer plants may appear, but they won't form a reliable stand. For a self-regenerating legume pasture, look at our sub clovers or our Self Regeneration Mix.
I want a winter legume for a mixed cover crop on a lifestyle block, what's easy to grow?
Our VNS Field Peas are easy to grow and a good choice for small blocks. They establish readily, fix nitrogen, suppress weeds and can be grazed or dug in. Sow them in autumn with a cereal such as oats. Our Green Manure Mix or Cover Crop Plus Winter make it even simpler.
