Moray Soil & Nutrient Network: 2nd meeting – event summary

Soil biodiversity and using organic manures including distillery by-products

We gathered at Balnellan for the second meeting of the Moray Soil & Nutrient Network Farm. Dr. Paul Hargreaves and Gavin Elrick were the speakers. The main topics were soil biodiversity and making good use of organic manures, including distillery by-products.

Paul & Gavin both gave presentations and copies of their presentation slides are available to download from the links at the bottom of this page.

Paul used examples from the host farm to discuss soil biodiversity and what affects it. Worm counts had been carried out on the farm before the event and a couple of holes were dug on the day to show how it is done.

Gavin went over how to make the best use of organic manures including FYM, Slurry, and distillery by-products. We looked at the nutrients available from the organic manures and how best they can be used to reduce farm input costs. In addition to average figures, the farms own FYM and distillery sludge and slurry mix had been analysed.

The top take-home messages were:-

• Soil biology is important to the efficiency of the soil to support good yields
• The more diversity within the soil the healthier the soil
• Earthworms are a good indicator of the health of the soil - both for nutrients and structure
• You need to monitor your soils to manage them
• More organic matter helps increase soil biology
• Keep soil analysis up to date
• Have up to date analysis of all organic manures to be used on the farm
• Balance organic manures with crop requirements