Cowpeas

Vigna unguiculata

Cowpeas are a popular annual, summer legume. There are different types of Cowpeas - varying in their function & growth habit.

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Cowpeas are used as forage for livestock, harvested for grain, or as a green manure. 

They can have a erect or prostrate growth. 

Benefits as a cover crop:

• Fix atmospheric Nitrogen (N)

• Quickly canopy over, thereby suppressing weeds effectively

• Build organic matter

• Conserve soil moisture

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Utilizing Cowpeas for forage:

• High quality summer forage

• Can be grazed throughout the season in rotational grazing systems

• High quality hay and silage production

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​Climatic & Soil Conditions

• Annual, warm-season legume

• Suited to high rainfall areas (>450mm), that have warm summers

• Sensitive to frost

• Relatively drought tolerant

• Suited to varied soil types, from highly acidic to neutral

• Best suited to soils good drainage & aeration

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Planting

• Seeding rate is dependant on location & planting method (varying between 20-50kg per hectare)

• Planting should take place between September & December