Know How / Soils Must reads Practical adviceSee all SOILSHow to make a comprehensive soil profile on-farmUnderstanding the health and characteristics of soils by conducting a soil profile helps growers identify key issues, such as compaction, nutrient deficiencies, and drainage problems. It leads to informed decisions… SOILSExpert advice to improve soil fertility post-harvestAs harvest wraps up across the country, farmers are turning their attention to autumn crop nutrition and soil organic matter levels, where the use of a soil conditioner could help… CROP MANAGEMENTHow to companion crop successfully in winter wheatCompanion cropping is an emerging practice that is recognised in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) with an action that attracts a payment of £55/ha. In its most common form, it… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow to minimise soil compaction without steel and dieselIncreased occurrence of extreme rainfall events should prompt farmers to remind themselves of the dangers of compacted soils. However, plenty can be done to reduce the risk of declining productivity… ARABLEHow to plan crop and soil management after a washout seasonSoils, rotations and cashflows were all impacted by the 2023-24 growing season washout, meaning there are important decisions to be made ahead of the new cropping year. The smallest wheat… SOILSGrowers advised to test soils immediately post harvestAs combines begin to roll across the UK, growers are advised to carry out soil tests immediately post-harvest to calculate optimum fertiliser requirements ahead of planting this autumn. Soil health… Case studiesSee all CROP MANAGEMENTHow integrating livestock in rotations cuts crop inputsAs sustainable farming practices become increasingly important, some agronomists and farmers are exploring how integrating livestock into arable systems can bring both environmental and economic benefits. By combining rotational grazing… CROP MANAGEMENT'Mosaic' cropping system helps cut winter barley costsCranborne Farms in east Dorset grew a malting winter barley crop for just £65.36/t variable costs last season, some £10.85/t lower than the UK average (Yagro UK). Farm manager Dan… SOILSWhy organic farmer cut back sheep to improve wheat yieldsSheep numbers are set to be considerably cut back to promote arable yields at organic farmer John Pawsey’s farm in Suffolk. A decade of yield data revealed a 0.5t/ha winter… SOILSNorfolk grower aims to cut soil compaction in root cropsMark Means’ aim this spring is to ensure that soils in his sugar beet and potato fields don’t exceed 1 megapascal (MPa) on the penetrometer during establishment. While he has… SOILSHow Arable Insights farmer panel are unlocking soil improvementsManaging soils to improve physical structure and chemical and biological activity has become a key trend on arable farms this decade. Each of this season’s Arable Insights farmer panel are… SOILSCropping in the Fens: Working for a sustainable futureIt’s one of the most productive agricultural regions in England, but it’s also an area at the most risk from climate change and environmental degradation, prompting debate about its future… InsightsSee all BUSINESSWhat smarter, fairer farm data means for UK agricultureThere’s no getting around it — farming across Britain is under intense pressure. Whether you’re in livestock, arable, dairy or horticulture, the challenges are piling up: rising input costs, labour… BUSINESSGrowing profits from healthy soilFarmers across Britain are working with Regenerate Outcomes to grow profits and improve crop and livestock performance. Regenerate Outcomes provides one-to-one mentoring in soil health from experienced regenerative farmers. The… SOILSSoil: A common ground for farmers and city dwellersAs a fourth-generation farmer, my day-to-day is pretty different to those of corporate leaders. Yet, despite the differences in our daily lives, we share an undeniable common ground: soil. I… SOILSWhy one farmer believes calcium is king of soil nutrientsCalcium forms the foundations of good crop nutrition, according to farmer and independent regenerative agriculture consultant Tim Parton. “Calcium is the juggernaut of elements, driving nutrition around the plant. Available… CROP MANAGEMENTLow-carbon premiums could soon benefit arable farmersAs supply chains come under increasing pressure to meet environmental goals, arable farmers with a track record of reducing on-farm carbon emissions could soon benefit from verified low-carbon premiums. Independent… SOILSWhy managing winter rainfall on arable land mattersFor Kent farm manager and AHDB Kent Monitor Farm host Tom Reynolds, managing water has become much more challenging in recent years. The amount of winter rainfall is higher than… WEED MANAGEMENTAdvice on managing glyphosate resistance this springA rapid testing service will be available this spring to help farmers and agronomists quickly investigate suspected cases of glyphosate resistance and act to contain any new populations. Early intervention… SOILSHow composting is helping organic transition on Norfolk farmMaking and using compost to improve soil health has become a central part of the route Ken Hill Farm & Estate is taking to transition to an organic farm. Farm… Latest soils newsSee all NUTRITION AND FERTILISERPaul-Tech device monitors soil nitrogen in real timeAn innovative soil nutrient monitoring device has introduced a groundbreaking update, enabling the accurate measurement of nitrogen availability in real time. Precision agriculture company Paul-Tech updated its innovative soil station… ARABLERegen farming focus for dedicated conference at CerealsFarmer-led discussions on the theme of “Robust farming in a changing climate” will be the focus of Base-UK’s dedicated conference area at this year’s Cereals event. Against a backdrop of… ARABLEWorld’s first carbon insetting programme establishedThe world’s first global carbon insetting programme, designed specifically to monetise environmental efforts within the agri-business supply chain, has been launched. International regenerative agriculture certifier Regenagri established the platform with… SOILSPlan ahead to benefit from soil sampling, growers advisedSoil sampling is an essential tool in understanding the nutrient availability of soils, but unless the results are interpreted correctly, it could be a waste of money. That is according… VideoSee all MARKET OPPORTUNITIESVideo: UK agroforestry system integrates fruit and arableFirst-generation tenant farmer Stephen Briggs planted the UK’s largest agroforestry system, integrating fruit trees and arable cropping to boost land productivity. More than a decade after the 4,500 apple trees… ARABLEVideo: Why cows and trees are part of Essex arable businessGeorge Young is making big changes to his arable business with nature at its heart. Read the full report and watch the videos for more detail on his tree planting… ARABLEVideo: Grower undersows with clover to cut fertiliser costsA regenerative farmer is experimenting with white clover understories to reduce his nitrogen fertiliser bills and provide additional grazing for the ewe flock. The price of natural gas, a key… POTATOESVideo: How a US potato grower is slashing pesticide useGrowing potatoes on a commercial scale with virtually zero synthetic inputs would seem impossible, but this is exactly what one US farmers has achieved using what he calls “biotic farming”,…
