In a ceremony held during the annual Jersey Farming Conference at La Mare Wine Estate the UK’s leading supplier of fresh, frozen and chilled potatoes revealed the winners of its inaugural Cover Crop Competition.
Launched earlier this year, the competition aimed to encourage local farmers to adopt and expand cover cropping techniques that support sustainable farming. The competition was held across four key categories: Best Bird Cover Crop, Best Visual Cover Crop, Best Pollinator Cover Crop and Best Soil Health Cover Crop.
The outstanding entries demonstrate the remarkable work being done by Jersey farmers to promote biodiversity, improve soil health, and support vital ecosystems.
After a thorough evaluation by an expert panel of judges—including representatives from Jersey Birds of the Edge, Normans Seed Suppliers, and the States’ Enhancement Land Resource Management Section— Albert Bartlett announced the winners:
Best Bird Cover Crop: Fosse Au Bois Growers, Paul, Peter & Matt Carre
Best Visual Cover Crop: Meleches Farms, Nick Mourant
Best Pollinator Cover Crop: J&S Growers, Steve Baudains
Best Soil Health Cover Crop: Somerleigh Farms, Matt Lamy
Overall Cover Crop Winner: Fosse Au Bois Growers, Paul, Peter & Matt Carre
A Step Forward for Sustainable Farming
Colin Campbell, Chief Operations Officer at Albert Bartlett, expressed his enthusiasm about the competition’s success, commenting: ‘We are delighted with the level and quality of entries for this inaugural competition, which was the idea of Paddy Graham-Jones our Procurement Director and truly celebrates and further encourages the excellent work undertaken by the Jersey farming community through best practice and biodiversity efforts.
‘Congratulations to the winners, and to all the participants, and also our management team on the Island supporting and demonstrating how good the farming practices are integrated with the natural environment and showcase the important role our farmers play in protecting both land and wildlife on the Island.[‘
Impact of the Competition
The Cover Crop Competition has not only displayed the creativity and commitment of Jersey’s farmers but also advanced Albert Bartlett’s sustainability goals, reinforcing the company’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions and supporting biodiversity through science-based practices.
In addition to the competition, student researcher Jess Sandle-Brownlie conducted a comprehensive study of the environmental impact of the cover crops used. Key findings from the research include:
Pollinator Diversity: A 30% increase in pollinator species observed in fields with competition cover crops, compared to control fields.
Soil Health: A 15% improvement in soil organic matter content in fields with cover crops.
Bird Population: Fields with the winning Best Bird cover crop saw a 25% increase in bird visitations during the growing season.
These encouraging results underscore the profound benefits of cover cropping for the environment and demonstrate how farming practices can contribute to the overall health of local ecosystems.
Albert Bartlett’s Cover Crop Competition is a key part of the company’s commitment to sustainability and the support of farmers who strive to implement best practices for the environment. The competition will continue to evolve, with plans to expand its reach and further support Jersey farmers in their efforts to improve agricultural resilience and biodiversity for years to come.
