Farmer Focus: Researching the new King’s views on farming
© Emily Fleur Over the past weeks, I completed the Basis – Soil and Water Management course and fortunately passed. A real grounding in soil and water basics, with a very practical edge to the course.
Most things were familiar once re-reading them a few times, but a few things stood out and have stuck with me.
While revising and reading around the subject I came across many articles and interviews of our new King, King Charles III, all highlighting his ongoing passion for soil sustainability across agriculture, with a particular focus on soil health and “soil eco services”.
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Now this phase soil eco services was complete French to me before seeing King Charles III’s interview at the World Congress of Soil Science, but it did strike a chord.
After covering it in depth during the Basis exam, it is amazing how many services it delivers for us. From food, fibre and infrastructure to the world of pharmaceuticals.
This led me down the tunnel of researching our new King’s views and opinions on agriculture.
My research tells me he’s very well-read on the subject, much more than I would say he’s credited for.
His involvement in organisations such as Innovative Farmers should be a real positive to us out in the field now, and going forward over the next few decades. I wish him all the best.
Back on the farm, cover crops were planted in good time after an early finish to harvest.
Covers are now up and away after a very welcome 60mm of rain. Species include beans, vetch, phacelia, buckwheat, turnips and forage rape. We aim to graze them in January and February.
Having played around with mixes over the past seven years, this mix has delivered for us, with changes in species dominance year on year, depending on weather and drilling date.
It’s certainly a long way away from our two-way combinations in 2015 of a mustard/vetch and forage/tillage radish.
