Environment
Crop health update: Post-metaldehyde slug management
Defra recently announced a ban on metaldehyde use for outdoor use from spring 2020, as a consequence of long standing concerns over it getting into drinking water.
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Slurry lagoons – more than just a hole in the ground
The high and above average rainfall during winter 2017 highlighted the need for extra slurry storage across the SW of Scotland. Although we have a high livestock density it is…
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Planning ahead for sustainable plant health
Strategic forward planning to minimise plant health risks on farm might be an impossible ask in the main field season and the fast paced harvest and drilling period we’ve just…
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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.
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Are you making the most of Integrated Pest Management?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is not a new idea in farming and many producers will be familiar with the concept through measures such as the pesticide industry’s Voluntary Initiative and…
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Water – Waste not, want not!
Even before we entered the driest six month period since 1984 this summer, water use on farms was starting to be mentioned as one of the assessment criteria to be…
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Integrated Pest Management on Arable Farms, Angus – Event Summary
Integrated pest management Pest and disease control strategies for spring barley and winter wheat formed the focus of this meeting at Scotston of Kirkside. There was an emphasis on the…
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Priority catchment awareness meeting; Lothian Priority Catchments – Event summary
Reducing diffuse pollution risks can help you to stay on the right side of the Regulations and protect farm payments, whilst protecting surrounding water quality. Often driven by rainfall or…
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Managing water on your farm – Arran: event summary
This meeting focused on improving drainage and reducing compaction in soils to improve productivity and efficiency whilst also improving water quality. A small but enthusiastic group of farmers turned out…
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Soils, drainage & grassland, Shetland – Event summary
Grass has a key role in sustaining ruminant livestock production The day consisted of a mix of outdoor practical sessions, indoor presentations and discussions aiming to help farmers understand how…
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