Look After Your Soil and It Will Look After You – event summary

Gavin Elrick focused on soil textures, structures and compaction – showing videos on the effects of tyre pressures with lower field settings creating far less compaction than field work using tyres at road pressures.  There were also considerable fuel savings.

Alan Bruce then discussed nutrient planning for cereals and grassland also highlighting the importance of knowing your soils pH and appreciating the contribution of FYM and slurries in terms of soil nutrients.   Pete Wright gave an update on the catchment issues in the area.

Rebecca Audsley discussed various alternative watering facilities and options  funded through eg AECS.

In the afternoon the meeting moved to Mains of Blackton, by kind permission of Gavin and Carol Elrick, where attendees were able to view  fields with green manures followed by field demonstrations of compaction comparing different wheels, tyres and pressures.  He then showed the group his water margin and alternative water pumping system.

Presentations and handouts from the day can be found below.