Lewis & Harris Soil Nutrient Network: 3rd Meeting – Event summary
23 March 2018This was the third and final meeting of the Lewis & Harris Soil & Nutrient Network
Despite horrendous weather conditions on the day 24 people attended this meeting at Ionad Stoodie, Garrabost.
The event started with Rob Black, local Agricultural Consultant introducing the guest speakers – soils and drainage experts Gavin Elrick and Bill Crooks who both gave presentations covering all aspects of drainage and its importance. Rob then spoke about the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme funding for drainage and soils 
improvements in general.
Due to the inclement weather the schedule for the day had to be rearranged meaning the on-site exercise could not be undertaken and the site visit had to be curtailed. However, out on location participants were shown examples of different types of drains; how effective drainage had improved land and also areas in need of drainage.
On returning to the meeting venue those present had an excellent opportunity to ask the panel of experts any questions they had regarding drainage, soils and funding. Read Bill’s presentation slides ‘Why Drain?’ & Gavin’s ‘Compaction & Drainage’ presentation slides using the links.
Key take home points from the meeting 
Don’t underestimate the importance of:
- Good drainage
- Knowing the type of soil you have
- The importance of prioritising areas to be drained (drainage is expensive)
- Maintenance of drainage
Please use the links below to download the handouts available to take away on the day and related information.
The first meeting of the group discussed soil drainage, health, structure and nutrients. Read the event summary to find out more. The second meeting looked again at soil drainage, grassland management and finished with some farm visits to local crofts. You can read more here.
The Lewis & Harris group was one of 12 Soil & Nutrient Networks across Scotland. The aim of these groups is for them to take a ‘before and after’ look at how to protect and improve farm soils and make best use of both organic and inorganic fertilisers, saving money, benefitting yields and improving farm efficiency and resilience.
Even te
chnically efficient farms can find small changes to current soil and nutrient management practices that could make a big difference.
You can find out more about previous Soil & Nutrient Network host farms from the Farming & Water Scotland webpage.
- Soil & Nutrient Network – Case Study: 8 Sand Street, Isle of Lewis
- Soil & Nutrient Network - helping farmers improve soils structure and nutrient management. This case study provides details of the Lewis & Harris Soil & Nutrient Network Farm at 8 Sand Street, Isle of Lewis
- Topics: Soils
- Valuing Your Soils – Practical Guidance for Scottish Farmers
- This brochure includes useful information about Scotland's agricultural soils and practical advice outlining the upfront financial savings and business benefits of better soil management and the efficient use of resources. Action and problem-specific 'field-sheets' are designed for busy farmers with limited time for reading.
- Topics: Soils, Climate Change, Water Management and Crops and Soils
- Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS) Score Chart
- This is a downloadable copy of the Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS) score chart for use in-field.
- Topics: Soils
- Practical Guide: Soil sampling I – How to take a soil sample
- This practical guide details what is required to take a soil sample for analysis that is representative of the area sampled.
- Topics: Soils, Climate Change and Water Management
- Practical Guide: Soil sampling II – Benefits to your business
- This practical guide details how soil sampling can benefit businesses by increasing productivity and create efficiencies on fertiliser inputs through better nutrient planning.
- Topics: Soils, Climate Change and Water Management
- Practical Guide: Nutrient budgeting I – The Benefits to your Business
- This practical guide looks at the benefits of creating and using a nutrient budget for your farm business.
- Topics: Climate Change
- Practical Guide: Nutrient Budgeting II – Getting Started
- This practical guide looks at what factors you need to consider when making a nutrient budget for your farm, fertiliser recommendations and how to get the most out of your nutrient budget.
- Topics: Climate Change
- Technical Note (TN656): Soils Information, Texture and Liming
- This technical note offers information on soil, including classification, texture, PLANET Scotland and lime recommendations.
- Topics: Soils
- Lewis & Harris SNN – standard for land drainage information document
- This is a copy of a document outlining standards for land drainage. This was part of the delegate pack for the third and final meeting of the Lewis & Harris Soil & Nutrient Network Group
- Topics: Soils and Water Management
- Why Drain? – Bill Crooks’ presentation slides used at the Lewis & Harris SNN
- Presentation slides by Bill Crooks titled 'Why Drain?' used during the third and final meeting of the Lewis & Harris Soil & Nutrient Network
- Topics: Soils and Water Management
- Farming For A Better Climate: Practical Guide – Field Drainage
- Topics: Soils and Water Management
- AHDB: Field Drainage Guide
- AHDB: Field Drainage Guide
- Topics: Crofts & Small Farms, Soils, Climate Change and Water Management
- ‘Compaction & Drainage’ presentation slides used by Gavin Elrick at the Lewis & Harris SNN
- Compaction & Drainage presentation slides by Gavin Elrick and used during the third and final meeting of the Lewis & Harris Soil & Nutrient Network.
- Topics: Soils and Water Management
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