CNUM3 | NUM3 - 1 Year Annual Rotational Legume Fallow (CSS6/A)

What is the SFI SOH3 Multi-Species Summer Sown Cover Crop action?

The SFI SOH3 Multi-Species Summer Sown Cover Crop action is part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and supports farmers who establish a multi-species cover crop during the summer period after harvesting a cash crop. The aim is to improve soil health, protect bare soil, increase root activity, enhance soil biology, and reduce erosion while preparing land for the next crop.

What are the requirements for the SOH3 summer cover crop mix?

To meet SFI SOH3 requirements, the cover crop mix must contain at least four species selected from at least two different plant families. Eligible plant families include brassicas, legumes, cereals and grasses, and herbs. The crop should be well established and maintained in line with the scheme requirements.

When should a Multi-Species Summer Cover Crop be sown for SOH3?

For SOH3 SFI funding, the cover crop should be sown during the summer period, typically between June and August, following the harvest of a cash crop. Establishing the crop promptly helps maximise soil protection, nutrient capture, and root development.

What are the benefits of a Multi-Species Summer Cover Crop?

A multi-species cover crop can improve soil structure, increase organic matter, support beneficial soil biology, reduce nutrient loss, improve water infiltration, and help suppress weeds. Different species contribute different rooting depths and soil benefits, making diverse cover crop mixes particularly effective.

Which species are commonly included in an SOH3 cover crop mix?

Popular species used in SOH3 cover crop mixes include radish, mustard, phacelia, vetch, clover, oats, rye, and buckwheat. Farmers often choose a blend that meets scheme requirements while delivering specific agronomic benefits such as nutrient retention, soil conditioning, or nitrogen fixation.

Can SOH3 be used on the same field every year?

Yes. SOH3 is a static or rotational action, meaning it can either remain on the same parcel of land each year or be rotated around the farm. This flexibility allows farmers to integrate summer cover crops into their wider cropping and soil management strategy.

Why is species diversity important in an SOH3 cover crop?

Species diversity is a key feature of the Multi-Species Summer Sown Cover Crop action because different plant families provide different benefits. Diverse root structures improve soil conditioning, legumes can help with nitrogen capture, and varied plant canopies can support biodiversity and soil resilience.

How does SOH3 help improve soil health?

The SFI SOH3 cover crop option supports continuous living roots within the soil profile. These roots encourage beneficial microbial activity, improve soil aggregation, enhance organic matter levels, and strengthen soil structure, helping to create healthier and more resilient soils over time.

Can a cover crop be followed by another cash crop?

Under SOH3, the multi-species cover crop is typically grown between a harvested cash crop and the establishment of either another cash crop or a winter cover crop. This helps maintain soil cover during periods that might otherwise leave soil exposed.

How can farmers choose the best SOH3 cover crop mix?

The best SOH3 cover crop mix will depend on soil type, drilling window, rotation, and farming objectives. We have cover crop mixes that combine brassicas, legumes, cereals, grasses, and herbs to achieve compliance with SFI SOH3 requirements while also delivering strong soil health and agronomic benefits.

50% Vetch
15% Linseed
15% Buckwheat
7.5% Crimson Clover
7.5% Berseem Clover
5% Phacelia

SUSTAINABLE FARMING INCENTIVE (SFI) NUM3 - LEGUME FALLOW

What To Sow 

Establish a seed mix that contains at least 6 flowering species, including legumes that will flower from May through to August. The seed mix can also contain non-legume flowering species or grasses to control blackgrass.

Where To Sow

Sow on sites that receive plenty of sunlight, where you wish to improve grass weeds such as blackgrass and to help improve soil health and compaction. 
Avoid sites that support hard-to-control weeds such as docks, ragwort and thistle, 

How to Sow

For germination, the seed will need a firm, level, weed-free seedbed. It must be sown when the soil is warm and moist which is typically in the Spring or Autumn. It is easier to control grass weeds in the Spring. 

You can either broadcast or shallow-drill the seeds to a depth of 1cm maximum. Once the seeds have been sown, you can roll the seeds to aid seed-to-soil contact providing the soil is dry enough. 
 

Information in this article is given in good faith but should not be seen as a substitute for complete guidance issued at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sustainable-farming-incentive-guidance. Don’t hesitate to get in touch for further information.

SUSTAINABLE FARMING INCENTIVE (SFI) NUM3 - LEGUME FALLOW

Maintenance during establishment 

A few months after sowing, checking on the area to monitor germination and pest damage is advisable. You may need to re-seed the area if germination levels are low 

Maintaining established areas

You will need to maintain the sward in a way that can achieve the action's aims.

NUM3 guidance allows you to cut the area if blackgrass and other annual grass weeds are turning to seed. Within the first Soring and Summer after sowing the mix, you can: 

• cut the area as soon as blackgrass starts to produce seed heads 
• do follow up cuts as necessary to remove any other grass weed seed heads

During the second year after sowing, you can cut the area between March and mid-June to control blackgrass. You must then leave the area uncut for at least 5 weeks until early August. Remove the cuttings where possible so as to not limit light and space for new seedlings, if it is impractical to do this, then you can finely cop them and spread thinly. 

If you seed signs of nesting birds before cutting, delay cutting until the birds fledge. Once yp

Records and Evidence

You should keep evidence to show what ypu've done to complete this action's aims. This evidence could include photographs and other documentation including field operations at a land parcel level and invoices. 
 

Information in this article is given in good faith but should not be seen as a substitute for complete guidance issued at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sustainable-farming-incentive-guidance. Don’t hesitate to get in touch for further information.

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