Advantages
When appropriate catch crop species are selected and properly managed to ensure good establishment and high biomass, effective weed suppression can be achieved.
Catch crops help conserve water and nutrients and reduce pesticide use, which can lower input costs in wheat and other crop production systems.
This method is widely accessible and already used by farmers in Latvia and many other European countries.
Catch crops improve soil health, reduce nutrient runoff into water bodies, and provide habitats for invertebrates and other beneficial fauna.
Drawbacks
Poor establishment due to unfavorable weather conditions can reduce effectiveness. Additionally, catch crops may themselves become weeds if not managed properly.
There are added costs for seed and field operations. Inconsistent establishment due to weather can result in financial losses.
In Latvia’s climate, the efficient use of catch crops is generally limited to specific crop rotations—typically those involving spring crops. Farmers unfamiliar with the practice may require consultation.
Certain catch crop species may become hosts to pests or pathogens or, if non-native, could pose a risk of becoming invasive.
Technical Aspects
Technical readiness
The method is readily available to farmers in Latvia and other European countries. Its implementation requires only catch crop seeds and sowing equipment, which are typically already present on most farms.
Ease and efficiency of implementation
The method can be applied by any cereal grower. However, in Latvian climatic conditions, its success depends on having sufficient time for catch crop establishment, which is influenced by crop rotation planning.
Need for training and education
While the technique is not complex, successful adoption requires correct species selection, optimal sowing time, and appropriate termination methods. Farmers without prior experience may benefit from consultations or additional guidance.
Need for investments
The primary investment is the cost of catch crop seeds—approximately €100 per hectare. Most farms can use their existing machinery for sowing and incorporation, so no major additional equipment investment is typically needed.
Policy Recommendations
The use of catch crops can be promoted through the establishment of demonstration trials paired with locally relevant research to showcase their effectiveness and adaptability. These trials can help build trust and familiarity among farmers.
Subsidies that support the inclusion of catch crops in crop rotations would further encourage adoption. Financial incentives, coupled with advisory support, would lower the economic and knowledge-related barriers, helping to scale up the practice sustainably.