United Kingdom
Februray 16, 2026
Across the UK, growers are under mounting pressure to drive crop productivity whilst reducing reliance on synthetic nitrogen. Fertiliser prices have surged, environmental scrutiny has tightened, and quality specifications in premium cereals markets have never been more challenging. For many farmers, this creates a tightrope between agronomic need, economic reality and environmental responsibility.
The Roots of Change (ROC) project steps directly into this challenge. Led by farmers and backed by NIAB and Limagrain, the initiative aims to understand how legume-based cover crops and companion cropping, can support nitrogen efficient cereals production, without compromising yield, grain quality or marketability.
Thomas Todd, ROC farmer, from Cornhill-on-Tweed, Northumberland commented, “This project will confirm with soil and tissue samples and nutrition tests, the true value of cover cropping, and this will then aid with farm development.
“The addition of legumes as a companion crop in the winter wheat trials, along with the cover crop, will be monitored for both nutrient and environmental benefits, and the information gathered will then be put to future use.
“We are keen to be involved with this type of research because it is good for the industry to be at the forefront and not just sitting still, and as a farming business, we are keen to embrace new technologies; from both a cultural and technical perspective.”
Limagrain’s involvement centres on one key question: ‘Why should growers trust legumes and new agronomic systems, to deliver the right nitrogen, in the right place, at the right time?’
Why Change? Fertiliser Volatility, Soil Health Decline and Tightening Specs
Over the past decade, inorganic nitrogen prices have risen sharply whilst remaining highly volatile. For many cereals growers, nitrogen costs now represent a significant portion of production expenses. At the same time, soils long reliant on tight rotations, inversion tillage and high fertiliser inputs, show signs of declining organic matter and reduced resilience.
For malting barley and quality wheat, where processor specifications are demanding, growers face real annual uncertainty around nitrogen availability and grain quality.
Why Legumes? The Case for Biological Nitrogen Fixation
Leguminous species; peas, beans, clovers, all fix atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic inputs. ROC compares legume and non-legume cover crops, companion crops, different establishment systems, termination methods, and new cereal varieties bred for improved nitrogen use efficiency.
Why Limagrain? Adding Expertise Beyond the Field
Limagrain provides new barley and wheat genetics, selected for efficient nitrogen use and to meet quality markets.
Economic and Carbon‑Footprint Modelling
Limagrain leads ROC’s analysis of profitability and carbon impacts, helping farmers quantify real world benefits.
Practical, Farmer Facing Guidance
Limagrain will support ROC’s outreach programme with demonstrations, digital resources, workshops and grower guides.
Why Now? Aligning Farmer Reality with Environmental Outcomes
With fertiliser costs high, and pressure increasing to reach net‑zero, ROC aims to show that integrating legumes can support nitrogen supply, improve soil health and reduce input costs.
The Bottom Line
Roots of Change will deliver nitrogen buffering guidelines, crop specific recommendations, economic comparisons and carbon‑footprint assessments – giving UK growers clearer, evidence-backed pathways for sustainable nitrogen management.
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