Importance Earthworms improve plant productivity, are principally responsible for engineering the soil environment and are an important food source for native birds such as the song thrush. There are up to 10 common earthworm species in agricultural soils and these can be grouped into three ecological types: epigeic, endogeic and anecic earthworms – each group …
Last autumn, the annual Agri-TechE REAP conference was held virtually, sharing technological ideas from people and companies innovating at the frontier of agriculture. The keynote speaker, supported by AHDB, at the event was David R. Montgomery, whose remit was to discuss how soil linked into the conference theme of “From micro-scape to landscape – innovating …
Teresa Meadows, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager, East Anglia, takes a look through the season and findings from the Strategic Cereal Farm East and West demonstrations for harvest 2020. As we come into the autumn time, it gives an opportunity to look back on the last harvest – yields, costs, margins and wider improvements to soils …
If you are serious about reducing soil movement to reduce costs in fuel and labour without reducing yield through compaction what are your options, and how do you ‘dip your toe’ without financial commitment? “Just looking thanks” is the phrase while on a manufactures show stand whilst trying to form your own opinion. How do …
Andrew and Sam Melton, new to the AHDB Monitor Farm programme this year, are looking at how to make cover cropping and direct drilling work on their soils at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Farming silty clay loam soils and with a keen interest in farming sustainably, whilst improving yields and productivity, Andrew and Sam Melton have kept …
In this article, Jason Pole explores the crop-friendly fungi focus of one of our crop PhD studentship projects, funded by AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds If your crop roots are in good nick, there’s a decent chance they’ve cuddled up with some potentially powerful soil allies: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The word ‘mycorrhiza’ stems from two …
Sharing AHDB’s Strategic Farm demonstrations and practical ‘how to’ resources virtually AHDB’s Strategic Farm Week goes digital Usually, summer sees each AHDB Strategic Cereal Farm host open their doors to those interested in learning about the research programmes put into field scale demonstrations onfarm. However, due to Government restrictions, this year’s programme took place in …
AHDB’s Technical Knowledge Exchange Manager, Harry Henderson, takes a look at the results from the recently published Maxi Cover Crop research findings and discusses what lessons you can take-away for your farm system. Cover crops. You’ve read the articles of untold benefits of soil restructuring, drainage improving nutrient building, weed suppressing, disease controlling, yield enhancing, …
18 months ago, it came to our attention that a new revised soil management and cultivation guide was needed for the UK. The last comprehensive guide on soil structure was produced in 2001 by National Soil Resources Institute. The remit was challenging. • It had to work for all farmer and land managers, engaged in …
Evolution or revolution? Two AHDB Monitor Farmers (Richard Payne and Hew Willett) tell their story of theirjourney to direct drilling, with an introduction from Harry Henderson, AHDB There was once a time when establishing a cereal crop was a straightforward standard process. Bale or burn the straw, subsoil if necessary, plough press, power harrow, and …
