ATTENDEES AT next week’s (July 14) Go Till event in Lincs will receive 4 BASIS points and 1 NRoSo* point, according to organisers.

Cutting establishment costs and avoiding the pitfalls of maintaining land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition will be two key areas at the show.

The one-day event will combine working demonstrations of cultivation and seeding equipment to reduce crop establishment costs, with a series of soil seminars.

“Healthy soils and water are the basis of sustainable, profitable farming,” said Environment Agency chief executive, Barbara Young.

“Several of the measures in the Environmental Stewardship scheme can help farmers save money.”

The Soil Management Initiative’s Paddy Johnson will guide growers through the main GAEC and Entry Level Scheme requirements, focussing on soil erosion, organic matter and soil structure.

“The GAEC framework itself is not a detailed enough plan to qualify for the ELS which is much more comprehensive. In terms of an actual plan it has not been made clear yet what form of paperwork DEFRA would like farmers to use.

“It could be some sort of tick-box form; for the time being I can only advise to write down all the details of steps taken towards GAEC and cross compliance.”

Go-Till will be held at Velcourt’s Haverholme Park Farm near Sleaford on Thursday July 14. Tickets cost £10 on the day, but are free to those who register in advance at www.farm-smart.co.uk/go-till or call 0845 4900142.

For further information, see the Go Till website, or Crops magazine, July 2.

*National Register of Sprayer Operators