Arable
Phosphorus Management and the Relationship Between Differing Soils Capacity to Regulate P Availability for Plant Uptake in Scotland
A novel soil specific approach to P management has allowed better use of soil reserves to reduce P fertiliser by using differing soils capacity to regulate P availability for plant uptake and improve sustainability of food production. The approach is novel as it is the first to make use of high-resolution spatial data directly in nutrient use recommendations.
Read More >Evaluating Soil Quality and Testing for Soil Health Status
At grass roots level SAC consultants are noting a growing interest in soil health from farmers and increasing numbers of questions about what SRUC can offer. Soil health is not just about having a good biological system (lots of worms, ample beneficial microbes to keep the pathogens in check) there are also physical and chemical aspects, and to have soil in ‘good heart’ you need the biology (biodiversity), physics (structure) and chemistry (pH and nutrients) in balance.
Read More >Tackling Soil Compaction to Reduce Fertiliser Costs
Dairy farmers across Scotland often rely on fertiliser to ensure that they grow enough grass to meet the needs of their livestock. However, fertiliser prices have soared recently, which will…
Read More >Technical Note (TN753): Management of inputs of heavy metals to agricultural soils and crops
Heavy metals in soils may derive from several sources: Geological parent material Industrial processes – emissions to the atmosphere followed by deposition to soils – solid and liquid wastes applied…
Read More >Regenerative Agriculture – Maintaining A Living Root
Bill Stewart is a beef finisher from Huntly who grows spring barley to feed his cattle, and he shows us why he believes keeping a living root in the soil…
Read More >The Oats-So-Simple Brewing Trial
In this podcast we hear from Richie Walsh who organised the Oats So Simple Brewing trail using oats grown on a croft in Lismore. We discuss his vision of craft…
Read More >Cropcast: The Journey To Net Zero
Net Zero is a phrase that we hear all the time, but what does the journey to net zero look like for cropping systems. In this Cropcast, Prof Fiona Burnett…
Read More >Regenerative Agriculture – Maximising Crop Diversity
Above ground plant diversity can lead to a more resilient soil by promoting a diverse soil food web with a range of organisms. On farm, this can be achieved a…
Read More >Pesticide Information Note: Know Your Nozzles
Sprayer nozzles play a vital role in ensuring pesticide applications reach the right target at the right rate. Nozzle choice influences: Droplet size and spray quality Likelihood of spray drifts…
Read More >Dealing with Rocketing Fertiliser Prices
Given the recent hike in fertiliser prices, there has never been a more pressing need to investigate your soil’s nutrient status for better targeted use of organic manures and to…
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