Soils
Soil management and nutrient network farms
Arable Scotland
Now in its fourth year, Arable Scotland aims to bring together the key players in food production from farmers to distillers and exporters to demonstrate and discuss key industry issues such as innovative and sustainable farming.
Read More >Preparing for sustainable farming
Helping to futureproof farms. Farmers, crofters and land managers now have access to new guidance on financial support for activity that will improve awareness of their climate performance. The first…
Read More >Nutrient Grain Analysis – Highlands Soil Discussion Group
The group submitted at least 1 grain sample of malting spring barley and they were analysed through the lab. The meeting will discuss the results and compare Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Manganese, Potassium Magnesium, Zinc and Copper against AHDB research minimum values that may affect yield. The group will then compare what trace elements they use and how much they apply. After identifying any deficiencies, we will try to identify any possible reason they are low such as soil conditions. Fertiliser applications will also be discussed.
Read More >Disease Planning Starts Early
Planning out a disease management strategy in cereal crops needs to start earlier than usual this season. Programmes can be adjusted as the season goes on but setting out the basic framework makes it possible to work in a diversity of chemistry to minimise resistance risks and cover the main diseases and timings.
Read More >Integrated Pest Management – Top Tips from High Scoring Farms
The IPM planning tool for Scottish growers is starting to give useful insights about what high scoring farms do and where they get their information. Filing in an Integrated Pest Management plan is now standard practice on most arable farms and is a useful tool to explore what can be done on individual farms to increase IPM practices. IPM plans are also being picked up across mixed and grassland farms too. Almost 5000 arable plans have been completed to date for arable farms and nearly 300 for grassland plans – just launched at the end for 2021. Average scores for arable farms are 64.8% and for grassland farms 56.9%. This provides really positive evidence about what the farming industry is already doing to produce crops in integrated and sustainable ways.
Read More >Crops and Soils Focus Group – South West
The Crop and Soil Nutrient Network Focus Group provides an opportunity to get together with growers in your local area to discuss the latest developments within crops and soils helping to improve the profitability and resilience of your business. Participation in this small group provides the opportunity for members to challenge, be challenged, hear from specialists, and share their own experiences on managing crops and soils in their regional area. The speakers for this meeting are agronomists Gavin Stewart and Jan Vos.
Read More >Agroforestry: Benefits of Hedges and Riparian Buffers
Interested in what hedges and riparian buffers can do for your land? Join us at this online event to hear from experts, farmers and crofters about their experience and ask…
Read More >Crops and Soils Nutrient Network – Buchan and East Banffshire – Getting to Grips with Carbon Footprinting
Carbon Footprinting is increasingly becoming a buzzword in food and farming. While completing a carbon audit can be straight forward- what do the results actually mean?
Read More >New regulations around slurry management
The start of the new year brought us consolidation and clarification of existing regulations under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021. Both existing rules and new measures…
Read More >Strategies to High Fertiliser Prices & Planning for 2022
With fertiliser prices having seen a drastic increase over the past few months now is the time to plan if you haven’t already done so what your fertiliser policy will…
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