Cover crops had long been recognised for their undeniable agronomic and environmental benefits – proven through both scientific research and real-world practice. Yet, establishing cover crops remained complex. Success often depended not only on deep knowledge of local conditions but also on the ability to react swiftly to changing weather patterns.

The growing impact of climate change, with more frequent extremes such as dry summers and heavy rainfall, made the task even more challenging for farmers. To address these difficulties, project partners worked together to develop practical strategies combining diverse – and in some cases innovative – sowing techniques with tailored cover crop mixtures. These trials were conducted across several fields in typical cereal crop rotations in Luxembourg.

At the heart of the project was a hands-on, adaptable approach. Farmers and experts focused on making site-specific decisions based on soil and climate conditions, constantly adjusting to the weather. This flexibility ensured that each plot could make the most of its potential while protecting natural resources.

To ensure lessons learned could be shared and replicated widely, the project was implemented across multiple sites. This not only improved the transferability of the results but also strengthened knowledge exchange among farmers, advisors and researchers.

By maximising soil cover, the project supported farmers in building resilience – both for their soils and their businesses – while contributing to environmental protection.