Definition
A sequence of crops usually fixed in a certain definite order
Very few crops grown on the same land year after year produce good yields – grass being the exception
Probably the single most important aspect in controlling the health of the land and crops
Main reasons for Rotations
- To Control Pests and Diseases of Land and Crops
- To keep up and improve soil fertility
- To maximise yield from crops
- To help control weeds
- To cultivate the whole farm efficiently (not to same depth)
- To make sure manures and fertilisers are used to best advantage
- To spread the use of labour over the year
- Contract or Quota requirements (Potatoes, Beet or Seed crops)
History
Rotations have been used since Roman times into Middle Ages. Resurrected in 1730’s by Norfolk nobleman – Viscount ‘Turnip’ Townend, who invented the Norfolk 4 Course Rotation
Added Benefits
More efficient use of Land, Labour and Machinery. A well planned rotation has plenty of 1st yr Wheat’s The ideal rotation is a balance of Cereals, Legumes, Root Crops and Broad Leaved Arable crops.
A diverse rotation should :
- Break Pest and Disease cycles
- Improve weed control options
- Crop cover to prevent erosion
- Improve nutrient cycling
- Improve soil structure
- Can allow livestock to utilise land, adding nutrients
Increasingly livestock are being put back into crop rotations – just like the original Norfolk 4 course rotation.
Potential Problems
- Root crops can demand big investment in machinery
- Quotas and contracts can limit certain crops
- Some crops not as profitable although with hidden benefits
- Soil types can influence cropping – heavy land not good for spring crops
Other Pointers
Rotations and Market will affect variety choice
Rotations are best planned so that crops with high N demands follow OSR, Legumes or Grass
Problem weeds can be controlled in rotational set aside
Some residual herbicides persist long enough to affect following crops
Crop rotation is crucial to prevent carry over of pests esp. Nematodes
Care must be taken with vulnerable crops not to plant them next to the field in which the same crop was grown the previous year – pests migrate
Disease carry over in crop debris can be controlled e.g. Take-All, Sclerotinia, Club Root etc
Crop rotations are ideal for Environmental benefits and improved biodiversity
Crop Rotations
The secret to growing healthy crops year after year
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Crop rotation is one of the most important decisions a farmer makes. By changing what is grown in each field every year, farmers improve soil health, reduce weeds, control pests and diseases, and produce more profitable crops.
What is Crop Rotation?
A crop rotation is:
A planned sequence of different crops grown in the same field over several years.
Growing the same crop every year (continuous cropping) usually leads to:
❌ More weeds
❌ More pests
❌ More diseases
❌ Lower soil fertility
❌ Reduced yields
Changing crops breaks these cycles and keeps fields productive.
Why do Farmers Rotate Crops?
I’d replace the long numbered list with icons.
🌾 Improve yields
🦠 Reduce pests & diseases
🌱 Improve soil fertility
🌿 Control weeds
💰 Improve profitability
🚜 Spread workload
🌍 Protect the environment
🐝 Increase biodiversity
From History to Modern Farming
The Norfolk Four Course Rotation
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Explain:
- Introduced during the Agricultural Revolution
- Associated with Charles “Turnip” Townshend
- Turnips fed sheep through winter
- Sheep returned manure to fields
- Clover fixed nitrogen
- Wheat benefited from fertile soil
Why was it revolutionary?
Instead of leaving land fallow, farmers could:
✓ Feed more livestock over winter
✓ Produce more manure
✓ Improve soil fertility
✓ Grow more grain
✓ Increase food production
I absolutely loved your addition about sheep grazing turnips. That’s the bit many textbooks miss.
Modern UK Crop Rotations
Modern Rotations are often based on types of crops grown.
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Some farms just grow combinable crops and a typical rotation is shown above.
Other farms may grow root crops and a typical rotation would look like this.
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Explain that there is no single correct rotation.
A farmer chooses a rotation based upon:
- soil type
- climate
- machinery
- markets
- blackgrass
- disease pressure
- livestock
- contracts
- profitability
Example Modern Rotation
| Year | Crop | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oilseed rape | Break crop |
| 2 | Winter wheat | Highest yielding wheat |
| 3 | Winter wheat | Maintains cereal production |
| 4 | Winter beans | Nitrogen fixing break crop |
| 5 | Winter wheat | Benefits from beans |
| 6 | Winter barley | Early harvest and weed control |
Then explain:
Every farm is different.
Some farms:
- include potatoes
- include sugar beet
- include maize
- include grass leys
- have no OSR at all
Rotation is More Than Just Crops
Modern rotations also rotate:
- cultivation systems
- herbicides
- fungicides
- sowing dates
- harvest dates
- machinery workload
This links to Integrated Crop Management.
Common UK Break Crops
A simple table:
| Crop | Main Benefit |
|---|---|
| Oilseed rape | Break crop |
| Beans | Nitrogen fixation |
| Peas | Nitrogen fixation |
| Grass ley | Improves soil |
| Potatoes | High value crop |
| Sugar beet | Excellent break crop |
| Linseed | Alternative break crop |
The Challenges
Modern rotations are becoming harder because of:
⚫ Blackgrass
⚫ Clubroot
⚫ Cabbage stem flea beetle
⚫ Take-all
⚫ Weather
⚫ Falling OSR area
⚫ Market prices
⚫ Environmental schemes
Think Like a Farmer
This is where your pages are much stronger than most.
Instead of finishing with facts, end with a decision-making activity.
You manage a 500 ha arable farm.
You need to plan next year’s rotation.
Consider:
- Which crop follows beans?
- Should you grow second wheat?
- Is OSR worth the flea beetle risk?
- Where would spring barley help control blackgrass?
- Which crops produce straw for livestock?
- Which fields need improving?
Question:
Would your rotation maximise profit and protect the soil?
“What Happens When You Grow Wheat After Wheat After Wheat?”
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🟢 1st Wheat
- Highest yield
- Low disease
- Strong roots
🟡 2nd Wheat
- Slight yield reduction
- More take-all risk
- Higher fungicide input
🔴 Continuous Wheat
- High disease pressure
- More grass weeds
- Declining yields
- Increased costs