Having sheep graze the green manure crop has some unexpected advantages:

• the culled part is "fermented" by the sheep and left on site, it is released along with useful digestive substances faster for the main crop

• the short crop is easier to work in, tilling is often not necessary, so less diesel and hours are needed

• the main crop grows faster after germination due to more oxygen in the soil; as less oxygen is consumed for digestion of the green manure crop

To maximise all the benefits, the sheep do need to "deliver" the plot nice and bare, a matter of good planning with the sheep farmer.

Want to know more? Check out www.kempvzw.be of www.provinos.nl