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This is excellent news - many thanks for the update.
A spring crop such as Mustard has the chance to continue the benefits of an overwintered stubble. I appreciate that there will be a period of bare ground as the new Mustard crop establishes but this should be up to a sensible height by the time game and farmland bird broods appear. Broods will obviously not use all the crop but the margins will be of great appeal and will give valuable refuge, increased insect activity and protection from Sparrowhawks, etc. Another benefit of Mustard sown this early is that the crop will mature and set seed allowing a second crop to regenerate as the summer progresses giving a 'rolling' provision of cover.
Given the alarming rise in the price of bagged fertiliser I am sure that many growers will consider this as a beneficial option compared to a marginal break crop, especially for those with an interest in game and farmland wildlife.
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Richard Barnes, Kings Game Cover and Conservation Crops
www.kingscrops.co.uk
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