Dr David Cutress: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. Agroforestry To begin with, let’s ensure that we are all considering the same concept when discussing agroforestry as its definition can either be highly specific (as is the case in scientific literature) or it can be expansively broad (often in media and political communications). A recent review highlighted that …
To aid landowners and farmers with their 2025 planning, Knight Frank’s Andrew Martin and Mark Topliff have developed a list of the top five tasks to tick off this winter. The last few months have seen vast developments in the political landscape of the rural sector and 2024 might go down as one of the …
Another year, another set of problems? I can only feel at the time of writing that we are getting kicked yet again with what I can only describe as the worst budget I have ever seen in my life! Aside from what they are doing to farming; what on earth are they doing to the …
WRITTEN BY JOHN HAYWOOD – UNIUM BIOSCIENCE Standfirst: Environmental conditions play a significant role in determining the availability of phosphorus (P) to plants. With the challenges of another wet season, and potentially depleted soil reserves, many growers are looking for ways to support winter crops and optimise phosphorus uptake in spring crops. As an essential …
Smart phosphorus management to boost yields in depleted soils Read More »
Written by Tim Smales from Humi-Cert.com Humic substances play a vital role in a healthy soil. We’ll review what humic substances are, their benefits, the various amendments that are available and some examples of how they are used in agriculture. Having an understanding of these substances and their properties is of great use in understanding …
Soil sampling is an essential tool in understanding the nutrient availability of soils, but unless the results are interpreted correctly it could be a wasted exercise.
That’s according to Simon Francis, Technical and Services Manager for ProCam, who explains that not only is soil sampling required for farm assurance compliance purposes and to meet the statutory requirements of an increasing number of SFI schemes, but it is also time well invested in ensuring crops can perform to their full potential.
Dec 2024 Another tough year of compromises, setbacks and stress, all as a direct result of the not-so-great British weather. The lack of sunlight throughout the year coupled with the continuous and unprecedented rainfall events that we’ve been receiving really has made for a hard time, especially on the arable side of the business. Over …
Following on from a farm trial undertaken by Andy Cato’s Wildfarmed farms, (as mentioned in our Farmer Profile issue Nov’ 24) we’re drilling down (pardon the pun) into the technology behind a new technique for measuring soil health – ecoacoustics. Ecoacoustics is an emerging science which investigates natural and anthropogenic sounds and their relationship with …
Ecoacoustics – a new underground horizon for soil health Read More »
The development of soil-release agents and protected forms of phosphate means growers can meet crop needs without having to apply large quantities of TSP, SSP or rock phosphate. Disincentivised by higher prices for phosphate (P) fertiliser Britain’s growers have gradually reduced application rates to the extent that many soils now contain worryingly low levels of …
Long-term fall in phosphate use raises concerns Read More »
Written by Mike Harrington, Managing Director of AIVA Fertiliser Following on from the beginning of November, and it is reassuring to see that nature’s autumn cycle is beginning. The time where digestion, recycling and humification occurs in active soil systems. We do not require an expensive test to see this. Our eyes tell us that …
