Common Vetch

Vicia sativa
pros
	
 an annual pasture, forage and grain legume, 
	
very palatable at all growth stages, from a young plant through to seedpods production in summer, 
	
highly nutritious dry matter as hay or silage with    
	
has the ability to improve soil fertility, structure and organic matter substantially 
	
smothers weeds once establish giving excellent weed control abilities 
	
providing non-selective weed control and long term reducing the risk of herbicide-resistant weeds
	
acts as a disease break between cereals in a rotation 
	
fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil; benefiting subsequent cereal crops in yield and quality.
	
growing in crop rotations as a pasture or hay crop is a useful strategy for controlling resistant grass weeds as they will be grazed or cut before the grasses set seeds
	
the same machinery is used for planting, maintenance and harvesting, as used for cereal crops
	
soft seeded species are suitable in all crop rotations, without the risk of voluntary plants creating a problem in following crops.
 
cons
	
Not well adapted to waterlogging. 
	
Post-emergent herbicide options for broadleaf weed control are limited.
	
Common vetch is less winter-hardy than hairy vetch.