Welcome to Agresol’s FREE Cover Crop Mixer. This tool uses an automatic system which determines the best species to include in a cover crop mix depending on your goals and context.
To learn how to use the free tool, watch this video for a full breakdown.
Simply enter the goals for yo’re cover crop and any limitations and the results will be emailed to you.
If you’re an Australian farmer and would like assistance with cover crops then book in a Free Consultation to see how we can help.
The following are goals you can select for your cover crop. You can select up to three goals where the primary goal will receive the greatest weighing for mixing, then secondary and finally tertiary. Secondary and tertiary goals are optional.
Cover crops selected for weed suppression grow quickly and form dense canopies that outcompete weeds for sunlight, moisture, and nutrients—naturally reducing weed pressure without herbicides.
Legume cover crops form symbiotic relationships with soil bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms, reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers and boosting nitrogen levels in the soil.
These species scavenge leftover nutrients—particularly nitrogen and phosphorus—from the soil profile after a crop cycle, preventing leaching and making nutrients available for the next crop.
Certain brassicas and other plants release natural compounds when decomposed that suppress soil-borne pests, diseases, and nematodes—helping to reduce chemical inputs.
This goal focuses on increasing soil microbial activity, organic matter, structure, and overall function, supporting long-term fertility and resilience through biological processes.
Species selected for erosion control have fast establishment and extensive root systems that hold soil in place, protecting topsoil from wind and water erosion.
These crops leave behind high-biomass or lignin-rich residues that decompose slowly, offering extended ground cover, moisture retention, and erosion protection into the next growing season.
Shallow-rooted species with strong root systems help loosen surface compaction caused by machinery or livestock, improving aeration and root penetration in the topsoil.
Deep-rooted species with strong tap roots can penetrate hardpans and compacted subsoil layers, improving water infiltration and access to deeper nutrients.
These cover crops are palatable and nutritious, making them ideal for rotational grazing systems and providing additional livestock feed while benefiting the soil.
Species that flower or provide habitat for predatory and pollinating insects support natural pest control and ecological balance in the farm system.
Plants that support mycorrhizal fungi help form networks that enhance nutrient and water uptake. These symbiotic fungi are key to long-term soil health and biological fertility.
This are optional additions to only select species that perform well under specific limitations. Apply, if these limitations apply to your farm to mix a cover crop suited to these conditions.
Refers to a crop’s tolerance to high temperatures during establishment and growth. Heat-tolerant species maintain performance and cover even in extreme summer conditions.
Drought-tolerant species are capable of growing with minimal water. These crops are ideal for dryland farming or areas with unpredictable rainfall.
This trait describes how well a species can survive or tolerate cold snaps or light frosts. Frost-tolerant species are suitable for extending growing windows into cooler months.
Refers to a plant’s ability to survive in poorly drained or saturated soils. Waterlogging-tolerant species help maintain cover and biological activity in wet conditions.
Species suited to low fertility can establish and grow in nutrient-poor soils. These crops are ideal for regenerating degraded paddocks without heavy fertiliser inputs.
Crops with salt tolerance can grow in saline soils or where irrigation may have increased salt levels. They help maintain groundcover and improve soil structure in saline zones. Recommended to use when ESP is greater than 6.
Species with tolerance to acidic conditions can perform well in low pH soils, where many crops struggle due to limited nutrient availability or aluminium toxicity. Recommended when soil pH is less than 5.
These species can grow in alkaline soils with high pH, where nutrient lock-up often limits plant growth. Alkaline-tolerant cover crops help maintain diversity in challenging soils. Recommended is soils with pH above 8.
