Written by Kristy Wesson of Secanim KalFos is a slow-release calcium phosphate fertiliser produced from the combustion of animal by-products andbioliquids. It is produced as part of the UK’s safe and responsible treatment of fallen stock and provides a valuable route for the recycling of nutrients. Replacing costly mineral-based phosphate fertilisers, the majority of which …
Dr. Anna Krzywosznska is a social scientist, and a Research Fellow at the Department of Geography at the University ofSheffield. Over the last few years she has been studying the uptake of sustainable soil management practices amongstEnglish farmers. She has found that the experience of adapting soil-friendly farming systems can be difficult forfarmers because it …
What Is It Like To Do Sustainable Soil Management? The English Farmers’ Experience Read More »
PH-value, soil structure (elimination of capillary action, compression, smearing of the soil) and moisture of the soil canbe seen by the growth of different weeds. If the crops in the field show an irregular growth pattern or there is extremely wet harvest and poor soil preparation conditions resulting in silting, acidification, nutrient or oxygen deficiency …
Analysis Of Indicator Weeds And Organic Crop Rotations Read More »
We are all in need of healthy soils but how can we create that magical organic matter cocktail,Dr James Holmes from AHDB shares some simple advice on what to look for Soil organic matter is a mysterious substance with legendary qualities yet practical guidance on how to manage it has been thin on the ground. …
The use of inorganic nitrogen is key to maintaining fertility and yield in conventional arable systems. However, inorganic nitrogen is an energy rich product that is becoming increasingly expensive. With the assistance of The John Oldacre Foundation, research within NIAB TAG is exploring the potential of bi-cropped legume species to be integrated into modern conventional …
Written by Miranda Prendergast-Miller, as based on information found on Agricology (www.agricology.co.uk) Above: Grass-clover ley (Photo credit: M. Prendergast-Miller, SoilBioHedge) Earthworms have been in the news recently, with new data confirming that earthworm numbers are low in UK arable soils due to intensive ploughing, repeated soil disturbance and low soil organic matter. Earthworms are important …
The Return Of The Natives: Grass-Clover Leys Boost Earthworm Recoveries Read More »
Large parts of Germany have struggled for years with very erratic rainfall patterns. Some farmers are now tending toquestion the usefulness of cover cropping in dry and even semiarid regions largely on the basis of their experience inthe dry summer and autumn of 2015. Does cover cropping conserve water or squander it? Written by Markus …
Think “soil quality” rather than “new drill” when planning your change to zero-tilling. Min till and no till are quickly becoming part of everyday agriculture. Whether used to increase soil health and the productivity of soils, or as part of a Black Grass strategy, or both, we are seeing this type of tillage being accepted …
How can you keep weeds and disease at bay this spring? As warmer weather arrives and the season gets underway, we explore here the role of adjuvants in boosting the performance of herbicides and fungicides on farm to optimise weed and disease control. Right time, right place Bumper harvests are made in spring. Where every …
Soil health is one of the government’s main concerns relating to the future of agriculture, and with many farmersnow turning towards conservation and biological farming, it is important to get soil heath, the cornerstone of theseprinciples, right. George Hepburn, biological soils expert at QLF Agronomy, gives his six practical steps for improving soil health, nomatter …
