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Growing rest crops: winter versus summer crops
Have not all your plots on sandy or loess soil been given a rest crop yet? In addition to the choice of many crops, the choice between a winter or summer crop is also an important one. In this article, insight into the differences to base your choice on.
On all plots of sandy and loess soil, a rest crop must be grown in the period 2023 to 2026. With temporary and permanent grassland, you already meet this requirement as a dairy farmer, but with maize plots and arable land you have to get to work.
Temporary grassland as a rest crop
If the land is not too far away, temporary grassland is a familiar crop that you can use on the dairy farm. Sow a grass mixture that produces maximum yield in a short time, so with the feed type Italian ryegrass and tetraploid English ryegrass. Adding clovers allows for lower fertilization and provides considerably more nitrogen to the next crop. Mixtures for temporary grassland are Havera 2 and Havera 8 (with clovers).
If grassland is not a good fit, you have the choice between various rest crops, where you have to choose between a winter or summer crop.
Benefits of winter crops
A winter crop that you sow in the autumn has the following advantages over a summer crop:
- Longer growing season often results in higher yield
- Much lower risk of drought
- Earlier harvest ripeness, so more room for subsequent cultivation
- Ground cover in autumn and winter
Suitable winter crops as rest crops:
Winter barley: a good choice for sandy soils in NV areas. With a nitrogen space of 112 kg N at a requirement of 180 kg in 2025, the gap between standard and requirement is relatively small. Winter barley is a relatively reliable crop that is easy to succeed in:
- Less crop protection needed than wheat
- Early sowing possible due to varieties with resistance to yellowing virus
- Relatively drought resistant
- Earlier harvest with higher harvest security
View the recommended varieties >
Winter rapeseed: Although the nitrogen utilization space is comparable to winter wheat, rapeseed has a lower N requirement. A major advantage of rapeseed is the interruption of wireworm populations in the soil, which is particularly beneficial if potatoes, carrots, sugar beets or maize are also to be grown on the plot.
View the recommended varieties >
Winter field beans: a concentrate crop that requires a bit more care but scores well in the CAP. Can also be grown in mixed cultivation with winter wheat for extra yield security. Provides a beautiful soil structure and nitrogen for the next crop.
winter wheat: a crop familiar to arable farmers with ample sales opportunities. A disadvantage is the low N-space on sandy and loess soils.
Video: The Benefits of Winter Barley
Benefits of summer crops
In certain situations it may be more appropriate to carry out field work in the spring. For example, with high weed pressure, the clean start in the spring helps to keep the weeds under control. Summer cultivation also generally requires less crop protection and there is no risk of wintering and plant loss in the winter months.
Suitable summer crops as rest crops:
Spring cereals (spring wheat, spring barley): spring barley has the advantage of having a relatively low nitrogen requirement and a short growing period. The nitrogen application standard for spring barley on sandy soil in NV areas is 80 kg N/ha in 2025, which is closer to the actual requirement than for many other crops.
Field beans en peas: these leguminous plants fix nitrogen from the air and therefore require a lower nitrogen supply. They are rest crops that contribute to soil fertility, and the peas are off the land early.
Video: Yellow peas as a rest crop
Optimizing crop rotation
Seize the rest crop obligation to improve the yield of your main crops. A smart rotation of different (rest) crops can contribute to improving soil health and breaking through diseases and pests. Rest crops also contribute to organic matter build-up. After a long-term maize crop, for example, winter barley or rapeseed can break through the build-up of fusarium. Also consider whether you can incorporate a green manure after the rest crop for extra soil improvement and nutrient binding.
Want to know more about resting crops?
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