Intercropping in practice: new mini-film launched

“We hope it will encourage more farmers to try intercropping and serve as a training resource for anyone interested in sustainable agriculture in Scotland”

Research by agricultural scientists in Scotland and beyond has shown that intercropping, i.e. growing two or more crop species together in ‘plant teams’, can improve agricultural sustainability by stabilising or increasing crop yields and creating resilience to environmental stresses.

A new mini-film launched by the James Hutton Institute demonstrates the practical steps of sowing, managing and harvesting cereal-based intercrops for newcomers to intercropping.

The film was produced with SEFARI funding in collaboration with SRUC, Soil Association Scotland, the University of Highlands and Islands, the Scottish Crofting Federation and The Gaia Foundation.

Shot on location at a Field Lab event in the Isle of Lismore and at Hutton sites in Tayside, the video features interviews with agricultural researchers Dr Robin Walker and Dr John Baddeley, both from SRUC, plus crofter Mike Hyatt and the James Hutton Institute’s Head of Farm, Field and Glasshouses, Euan Caldwell.

Dr Ali Karley, who also appears in the video to discuss further sources of information for anyone interested in intercropping, said: “The minifilm highlights Mike’s experiences in Lismore to show how crofters are using intercropping to re-introduce grain growing as part of sustainable production systems.

“We hope it will encourage more farmers to try intercropping and serve as a training resource for anyone interested in sustainable agriculture in Scotland.”

Information about the Lismore event is available on the SEFARI blog, and further details about the Field Lab event series can be found on the Soil Association Field Lab website, including the most recent event in Beauly on tools for small scale grain processing, and how to get involved.