2-year rotation as alternative to maize monocropping in Béarn

This 2-year crop rotation in Béarn, France, replaces maize monocropping with a diversified system featuring oats as an energy catch crop, soybeans, and cover crops. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 32% and nitrogen inputs by 40% through soybean integration, while maintaining a 37 €/ha net margin advantage with coupled aids. The system supports weed suppression via 40 cm spacing and mechanical or selective weeding, requires irrigation except in deep black soils, and is suitable for regions with similar climates and soil types. It uses standard equipment and is effective in warm oceanic conditions (5°C winter, 20°C summer, 1100 mm annual rain, 25% clay, 70% silt, 4% organic matter).