As seen in Farm Weekly, 03/04/2025

Cover crops provide a natural protective blanket of biomass to cover soil that would otherwise remain bare for much of the year.

They are particularly important in Western Australia's diverse climate.

Planting a variety of species creates biodiversity, which benefits the environment.

Choosing the right cover crop depends on your specific soil type and local climate conditions to maximise its effectiveness.

Cover crops offer numerous benefits, particularly in improving soil structure and health by increasing organic matter and water-holding capacity, boosting microbial activity, and reducing compaction through deep-rooted species like tillage radish and cereal rye.

Cover crops also help prevent erosion, especially in areas prone to wind and water runoff, while enhancing moisture retention by reducing evaporation and improving infiltration – an essential advantage in WA's dry climate.

They play a key role in weed suppression by outcompeting unwanted plants, reducing the need for herbicides and certain legume species, such as clover and Serradella, fixing atmospheric nitrogen, reducing fertiliser costs, and enriching soil fertility.

Additionally, cover crops support pasture and crop rotation by breaking disease cycles and replenishing and harvesting nutrients, ensuring better yields and improving crop production for future plantings.

Cover crops for livestock farmers can provide high-quality forage, offering an extra grazing option while benefiting soil structure and fertility.

Irwin Hunter & Co.'s Cover Crop Plus Winter Mix is a diverse blend of 13 species designed to naturally regenerate and enhance soil health by combining high-biomass plants, nitrogen-fixing legumes, soil improvers, and insect-attracting species.

Suited to various soil types across Western Australia, this mix helps protect bare soil, promotes biodiversity and improves overall soil structure and health.

Planting a variety of species creates biodiversity, providing benefits for the environment.

Deep-rooted species and legumes enhance nutrient availability, microbial activity, and water retention while suppressing weeds and reducing pest pressure.

Key components include Coogee peas and common vetch, which fix nitrogen and produce strong root systems; Icon lucerne, a deep-rooted perennial that attracts beneficial insects; and cereal rye, which rapidly establishes and absorbs excess nitrogen while increasing soil potassium levels.

Amass Italian ryegrass competes well with other species, alleviating compaction by encouraging deeper root growth, while Safeguard Annual Diploid ryegrass matures quickly and offers ARGT resistance.

Oats contribute high biomass and organic matter, and Riverina subterranean clover enhances nitrogen fixation across various soil types.

Hobson Forage Brassica provides rapid growth and is nutrient scavenging, while Chicory's strong taproot extracts moisture from deep in the soil, improving nutrient access.

Arrowleaf and Crimson aerial seeded clovers provide extended production through early and late flowering, and Tillage radish helps break up soil compaction while redistributing nutrients.

Cover Crop Plus Winter Mix maintains a natural protective cover of biomass for the soil.

The biomass can be grazed or mulched or incorporated into the soil, adding organic matter and carbon.

With a recommended pH of 5+, annual rainfall of 450mm+, and a sowing rate of 25-35 kg/ha. (Increased sowing rates will increase the interplant and weed competition, assisting in reducing the weed burden and the requirement for early herbicide applications).

Cover Crop Plus Winter Mix offers an effective natural solution for building resilient, productive soils while reducing reliance on herbicides and synthetic inputs.

Irwin Hunter & Co's Cover Crop Plus Winter and Summer mixes and Green Manure Mix are recommended to farmers looking at doing a cover crop.

Our other mixes, such as SouWest Mix, Self Regeneration Mix, Maximix and Interow Mix, all have a diverse range of components that can also be used as a cover crop.

Irwin Hunter & Co can also Mix & Match to farmer's requirements.

Several other cover crop options well-suited to Western Australia's conditions include Legumes such as Crimson clover, Paradana Balansa, Coogee field peas, and Faba beans, which fix nitrogen while providing excellent ground cover to help reduce erosion.

Cereal rye thrives in WA's hot, dry climate and effectively suppresses weeds.

Brassicas, like Tillage radish, improve soil structure by breaking up compaction.

Planting cover crops offers numerous benefits, including additional forage for livestock, enhanced soil health, erosion control and provides a natural nutrient source for future crops.

All these varieties are available from Irwin Hunter & Co.

Contact your local farm supplier or Irwin Hunter & Co. for more information regarding the extensive range of pasture seed and mixes.