I had already written this into based on the IHT announcement and the subsequent farming protests and events organised around the country. But having listened to the brilliant Tom Martin talking on stage at the BASE conference I gave it a little update – as his ideas on communication are spot on and really show …
Jan 2025 It’s been a while since I last wrote a Farmer focus article in Direct Driller magazine. Harvest 24’ Seems like a long time ago, yet we’re now closer to the next harvest than we were the last. 2024 On the farm was a year to forget for many reasons, even before the Autumn …
For a generation, farmers have taken for granted their most valuable resource, often considering it to be simply ‘dirt’. The focus has been on force-feeding the crop and beating the soil into submission, driven by an ethos of yield over profit, with little respect for the aftermath. Inputs for many have typically increased since the …
Written by Tim Stephens NSch, Catchment Management Specialist, Wessex Water A vital element Phosphorus (P) is essential for life in all its forms, but many UK rivers, lakes and wetlands suffer from an excess of this critical element. Too much P causes growth of algae and duckweed, which smothers aquatic life and starves the water …
Unmoved stubbles can often be the driest land on the farm after heavy rainfall. Yet we are told that cultivation helps to dry land out. What are the factors that allow stubbles to move water downwards faster than cultivated ground? It’s now apparent that many cultivated soils are not draining recent deluges fast enough. Crops …
Three practical days featuring US soil biology researcher Dr Elaine Ingham about unlocking the power of soil were run by Soil Ecology Laboratory last November. Direct Driller visited the one held in Norfolk The promise of a day with Dr Elaine Ingham and her team is always likely to attract a crowd and that was …
Written by Nick Adams, Wildlife Consultant, Lower Pertwood Farm The winds of change are blowing strongly through the Agricultural sector. Leading the charge is the word “wilding” with all its different permutations and options. Lower Pertwood Farm has always had a strong commitment to its wildlife and is fortunate in that it has many acres …
Balancing Wildlife and Farming at Lower Pertwood Farm Read More »
A network of cover crop champions is providing a practical view on the impact of cover crop approaches. Technical Content Manager Jason Pole provides an update on the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds’ initiative. During summer 2024, we asked farmers growing cover crops ahead of various cash crops for harvest 2025 if they would be willing …
In a political environment where farming is battling increasing headwinds, Suffolk arable farmer and inventor of the Claydon Opti-Till® direct seeding system, Jeff Claydon is focusing on minimising risk and maximising income. November 2024 I have always been an optimistic farmer, but right now I am struggling. I’m not normally one to get political, but …
10 years ago now in the early days of TFF we ran a trial here on my farm for some of the direct drills that were available at that time. The thread that blogged that can be founds here ……….. the result was interesting ! Read the original thread here Since then the direct drill …
