Know How / Land preparation Case studiesSee all PLOUGHING AND CULTIVATIONLong-term direct driller reveals yield impact of ploughingA wheat crop established under the plough yielded 1.7t/ha more than the long-term direct drilled part of the field, more than paying for the extra costs associated with ploughing. But… LAND PREPARATIONGrower uses drone to sow catch crop into standing wheatAn East Yorkshire regen farmer is trialling the establishment of a multispecies catch crop into a standing crop of wheat, using the largest UK spraying and spreading drone. Jonathon Hodgson… COVER CROPSHow Arable Insights farmers are using cover crops in rotationWhether it is to increase soil organic matter, provide grazing for sheep, prevent nutrients from leaching, or deliver extra income within the rotation, cover cropping has become a key part… 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… 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… Practical adviceSee all SOILSWhy soil assessment should come before cultivationsArable farmers face significant cultivation choices this autumn about how much - or indeed whether - to cultivate soils. The dry conditions of 2025 mean that over-working soils could lead… SOILS4 ways to solve common soil issues on arable farmsFarmers are often swamped with different soil tests, nutrient analysis and data sets that flag up potential limiting factors on farm. After initial observations, how can these results be effectively… 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… 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… CROP MANAGEMENTSFI 2023: The support options for arable growersArable growers are being encouraged to enter the new 2023 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for England as it is simpler and more flexible than previous financial support packages. The new… InsightsSee all SOILSLeics arable farm begins first-of-kind drainage trialThe role of effective drainage in helping farmers to meet both environmental and productivity targets is the focus of an industry-wide research project which kicks off this autumn. Believed to… NUTRITION AND FERTILISERBenefits of adding manganese to seed-beds after dry summerFarmers are advised to apply manganese in the seed-bed this autumn, as the dry summer may have left soils depleted of the micronutrient. Origin Soil Nutrition agronomist Toby Ward warns… CROP MANAGEMENTHow herbal leys can benefit the whole systemFrom herbal leys to hemp crops, the Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping is a four-year £5.9m multi partner project, led by Niab, which is exploring the carbon capture potential… SOILSHow trial is cracking calcite problem in high-calcium soilsA trial is looking at how to break up the hardened calcite layer which is being increasingly seen in some high-calcium soils. Independent soil consultant David Purdy highlights that the… CROP MANAGEMENTWhy straw removal requires rethink for future nutrient plansFarmers baling straw this summer are reminded to tailor nutrient plans for the following crop to compensate for the removal of phosphate and potash. It is recorded by the AHDB… ARABLEWhat's in the latest capital grants offer for arable farmers?A new round of capital grants worth £150m has opened in England, with arable farmers welcoming the latest opportunity to apply for funding to make environmental improvements. Against a tight… SOILSGroundswell 2025: Regen farming learnings from Gabe BrownSunlight is the most powerful resource on farm, but is also underused, suggests world-renowned US regenerative farmer Gabe Brown. “This is where our income as farmers comes from,” he said… SOILSWhy understanding soil biology is key to crop healthSoils are not just the ground we walk on or a medium to plant into – they are dynamic, living energy systems with a host of inputs and outputs. “If… 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… 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… ROTATIONSAHDB analysis: The merits of SFI break crop alternativesFinding a reliable break crop in the arable rotation is an ongoing challenge. Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) actions, such as herbal leys or legume fallows could be an alternative, especially… SOILSHow different forms of organic matter affect soil healthBuilding soil organic matter in arable soils is increasingly recognised as important for improving soil structure and water holding capacity, reducing nutrient leaching and providing greater resilience. It is also… Online resources from AHDB Field drainage guide See more No-till fact sheet Download Soil assessment fact sheet Download Slug control fact sheet See more
