Cereals Live: Tips on choosing an alternative break crop

• Site suitability

Climate, soil type, aspect are all factors that can affect whether a crop will thrive or struggle. It is important to understand your site and the requirements of any crops you are considering.

• Weed problems

Understand the site’s weed burden, such as black-grass. Drilling dates and herbicide options may be important to optimise weed control for the whole rotation.

• Pests and diseases

Understand the pests and disease cycles for existing crops so you can choose the correct crop to help break these cycles.

• Markets

Many of the alternative break crops have no commodity markets. Talk to buyers, understand their needs. It is essential to have a market in place first.

• Financial

The rotation should be planned to make the best use of the highest value crops. Look at the profitability of the rotation as a whole not just the break crop.

• Labour, timeliness and equipment

Some alternative crops need specialist equipment, drying or screening. Harvest and application times also need to fit with labour available.

• Look at others, take an experimental approach

Taking on a new crop can be risky. It always makes sense to find out about how others have managed. Learn as you go.