Know How / Soils Must reads Practical adviceSee all SOILS4 ways to solve common soil issues on arable farmsFarmers are often swamped with different soil tests, nutrient analysis and data sets that flag up potential limiting factors on farm. After initial observations, how can these results be effectively… SOILSHow to make a comprehensive soil profile on-farmUnderstanding the health and characteristics of soils by conducting a soil profile helps growers identify key issues, such as compaction, nutrient deficiencies, and drainage problems. It leads to informed decisions… SOILSExpert advice to improve soil fertility post-harvestAs harvest wraps up across the country, farmers are turning their attention to autumn crop nutrition and soil organic matter levels, where the use of a soil conditioner could help… CROP MANAGEMENTHow to companion crop successfully in winter wheatCompanion cropping is an emerging practice that is recognised in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) with an action that attracts a payment of £55/ha. In its most common form, it… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTHow to minimise soil compaction without steel and dieselIncreased occurrence of extreme rainfall events should prompt farmers to remind themselves of the dangers of compacted soils. However, plenty can be done to reduce the risk of declining productivity… ARABLEHow to plan crop and soil management after a washout seasonSoils, rotations and cashflows were all impacted by the 2023-24 growing season washout, meaning there are important decisions to be made ahead of the new cropping year. The smallest wheat… Case studiesSee all SOILSGrower's insights from four-year clover living mulch trialMatt England, estate manager at the Fring Estate in Norfolk, has been exploring the potential of clover living mulches, testing how ground-hugging clovers can accumulate nitrogen and suppress weeds. The… SOILSWhy two returning farmers pressed for regenerative changeAfter 18 years working in sports marketing in London and for the Department of Health, Jennie Tatlock returned to the family farm in the Yorkshire Wolds in 2022, along with… CROP MANAGEMENTHow integrating livestock in rotations cuts crop inputsAs sustainable farming practices become increasingly important, some agronomists and farmers are exploring how integrating livestock into arable systems can bring both environmental and economic benefits. By combining rotational grazing… CROP MANAGEMENT'Mosaic' cropping system helps cut winter barley costsCranborne Farms in east Dorset grew a malting winter barley crop for just £65.36/t variable costs last season, some £10.85/t lower than the UK average (Yagro UK). Farm manager Dan… SOILSWhy organic farmer cut back sheep to improve wheat yieldsSheep numbers are set to be considerably cut back to promote arable yields at organic farmer John Pawsey’s farm in Suffolk. A decade of yield data revealed a 0.5t/ha winter… SOILSNorfolk grower aims to cut soil compaction in root cropsMark Means’ aim this spring is to ensure that soils in his sugar beet and potato fields don’t exceed 1 megapascal (MPa) on the penetrometer during establishment. While he has… InsightsSee all SOILSHow trial is cracking calcite problem in high-calcium soilsA trial is looking at how to break up the hardened calcite layer which is being increasingly seen in some high-calcium soils. Independent soil consultant David Purdy highlights that the… CROP MANAGEMENTWhy straw removal requires rethink for future nutrient plansFarmers baling straw this summer are reminded to tailor nutrient plans for the following crop to compensate for the removal of phosphate and potash. It is recorded by the AHDB… ARABLEWhat's in the latest capital grants offer for arable farmers?A new round of capital grants worth £150m has opened in England, with arable farmers welcoming the latest opportunity to apply for funding to make environmental improvements. Against a tight… SOILSGroundswell 2025: Regen farming learnings from Gabe BrownSunlight is the most powerful resource on farm, but is also underused, suggests world-renowned US regenerative farmer Gabe Brown. “This is where our income as farmers comes from,” he said… SOILSWhy understanding soil biology is key to crop healthSoils are not just the ground we walk on or a medium to plant into – they are dynamic, living energy systems with a host of inputs and outputs. “If… BUSINESSWhat smarter, fairer farm data means for UK agricultureThere’s no getting around it — farming across Britain is under intense pressure. Whether you’re in livestock, arable, dairy or horticulture, the challenges are piling up: rising input costs, labour… BUSINESSGrowing profits from healthy soilFarmers across Britain are working with Regenerate Outcomes to grow profits and improve crop and livestock performance. Regenerate Outcomes provides one-to-one mentoring in soil health from experienced regenerative farmers. The… SOILSSoil: A common ground for farmers and city dwellersAs a fourth-generation farmer, my day-to-day is pretty different to those of corporate leaders. Yet, despite the differences in our daily lives, we share an undeniable common ground: soil. I… Latest soils newsSee all BIODIVERSITYFree tools to help farmers monitor habitat and biodiversityA new freely available app is helping farmers and landowners monitor biodiversity and manage habitat quality. The app, known as e-Surveyor, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to make ecological surveying more… BIODIVERSITYNew habitat mapping tool to baseline biodiversityA fully automated habitat mapping and site screening tool has been launched this week to deliver rapid ecological assessments in just minutes. Biodiversity mapping data company Gentian announced the launch… SOILSHerefordshire seed grower crowned Soil Farmer of the YearHerefordshire farmer Jonathan Joseph is this year’s Soil Farmer of the Year, in recognition of how he has reshaped soil management on his farm. This has been achieved through a… SOILSCereals 2025: UK start-up offers soil and nutrient softwareA new soil mapping and nutrient management software called Soil Benchmark aims to make record-keeping and compliance assessment simpler on farm. The UK-based start-up offers soil, manure and nutrient management… VideoSee all MARKET OPPORTUNITIESVideo: UK agroforestry system integrates fruit and arableFirst-generation tenant farmer Stephen Briggs planted the UK’s largest agroforestry system, integrating fruit trees and arable cropping to boost land productivity. More than a decade after the 4,500 apple trees… ARABLEVideo: Why cows and trees are part of Essex arable businessGeorge Young is making big changes to his arable business with nature at its heart. Read the full report and watch the videos for more detail on his tree planting… ARABLEVideo: Grower undersows with clover to cut fertiliser costsA regenerative farmer is experimenting with white clover understories to reduce his nitrogen fertiliser bills and provide additional grazing for the ewe flock. The price of natural gas, a key… POTATOESVideo: How a US potato grower is slashing pesticide useGrowing potatoes on a commercial scale with virtually zero synthetic inputs would seem impossible, but this is exactly what one US farmers has achieved using what he calls “biotic farming”,…
