Historic maps safeguarded as digital access expanded   A £146,485 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant will preserve one of Scotland’s most important collections of soil and peat records for future generations. The funding will enable the James Hutton Institute to restore, conserve and digitise around 16,000 historic maps, aerial... Read more

Lincolnshire low-tillage farmer Colin Chappell scooped third place in this year’s Soil Farmer of the Year Award. Mr Chappell – whose transition to reduced tillage and cover cropping has improved soil health, improved water infiltration and reduced flood risk without compromising output – received the award at last month’s... Read more

Potato growers are being urged to should make strategic soil sampling a priority before lifting harvest to improve long-term control of potato cyst nematode (PCN) in the following crop. PCN remains one of the most damaging pests affecting UK potato production. Effective control depends on integrated pest management (IPM),... Read more

Farmers using min-till sowing techniques for cover crops and companion planting could achieve faster and more consistent establishment with precision applications of liquid fertiliser. A multi-component tillage train system developed by Techneat application specialist James English combines a MultiCast seeder unit and a Nutristart LQ liquid fertiliser applicator to... Read more

A renewed focus on soil health will help UK farmers secure a more resilient future in the face of global challenges, says the government. Healthy soils sit at the centre of the Defra’s vision for the future of English farming, with ministers arguing they are essential to maintaining profitable... Read more