Soil health - why and how?

Interest in soil health is growing at all levels. It is a key area for policy with the UK government’s 25-year environment plan, launched earlier this year, indicating that future agricultural policy will focus on soil health and structure. Targets on soil health got further mention when the Agricultural Bill, was set out a few weeks ago. The testing of soils in relation to reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions is also under consideration. The benefits of improving soil health by integrating the biology, physics and chemistry will pay dividends in maximising efficiency and yields whilst potentially reducing pollution, erosion, irrigation, fertiliser and tillage costs. Soil health can seem a complex business so what are the key features of a healthy soil, and the benefits of testing and how do you set about improving it?  Read more here.