Maximising Organic Production Systems: How green manures can boost farm yields and incomes.

The MOPS project, led by the Irish Organic Association, worked with 11 Irish growers nationwide to optimise production methods and improve the continuity of short supply chains through grower collaboration. Over 3 years, different summer and winter green manure mixes were sown and grown for 2 and 6 months respectively. Manures were incorporated into the soil, followed by the establishment of cash crops. Consistent beneficial effects were achieved including better weed control, more beneficial insects, greater functional diversity of soil bacteria, higher soil organic matter content and earlier developing crops. Early development of cash crops following green manure incorporation shows the value and potential of using such practices to spread the harvest period for a crop.