EXPERT VIEW Farming must address the twin challenges of food and water security, says Melvyn Kay. “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink,” wrote English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Penned in 1798, it’s a sentiment that echoes down the ages as... Read more
Irrigation and weather start-up Sencrop has been acquired by Groupe ISAGRI – one of Europe’s leading companies in digital solutions for field management. The acquisition aims to ensure the continuity of innovation and provide farmers with higher service levels, moving Sencrop from a fledgling company to being part of... Read more
• Abstraction licence terms breached • Offences took place over four-year period • Magistrate imposes £4000 fine Farmers are being reminded to abide by abstraction licences after a Norfolk grower was fined more than £4000 for taking too much water. Brian Rutterford, 77, of Undley, Lakenheath, was ordered to... Read more
Funds to protect farm communities Defra plans to review the way it funds flood defences – saying it wants to ensure that farms, rural businesses and local communities are properly protected. It comes after the government unveiled an extra £50m for internal drainage boards (IDBs) – the public bodies... Read more
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Water & Irrigation 10/01/2025
Livestock producers are being reminded to prepare now for winter slurry storage – and contact the Environment Agency with any concerns. Wet weather throughout the year has already put pressures on slurry stores. And with further rain expected, the agency says it is important to have enough storage and... Read more
Variable wheat yields this harvest are due to a number of factors – with drainage playing a key role in crop performance. Some wheat crops have performed extremely well given the extremely challenging season, while others have barely reached half their potential – sometimes even within the same field.... Read more
Compensation and the impact of flooding on farm businesses will be among the topics discussed at a top conference this autumn. The Flood & Water Conference will bring together farm leaders, government representatives, local authorities and other delegates. Organised by the Association of Drainage Authorities, it will take place... Read more
Water company bosses are scrutinising consultation responses for two new major reservoirs – one in the Cambridgeshire Fens and the other in south Lincolnshire. Located near Chatteris, Doddington and March, the fenland reservoir is planned by Anglian Water and Cambridge Water. The Lincolnshire reservoir will be about four miles... Read more
Cover crops can help to reduce nitrate leaching into watercourses by up to 90%, suggests a study, with destruction by chemicals proving most effective for optimising nitrogen availability to the following crop – and for reducing weed burdens. ADAS scientists evaluated the impact of cover crops and different destruction... Read more
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