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

An award-winning grower says reconsidering his crop nutrition choices has helped improve his farm business – and soil health. Herefordshire farmer John Joseph, of Trecorras Farm, near Ross-on-Wye, says better nutrient management on his 100ha holding was key to being crowned Farm Carbon Toolkit Soil Farmer of the Year... Read more

Growing miscanthus could help lock more carbon into the soil, improving yields while helping to tackle climate change, say scientists. Well-suited to poorer land, miscanthus is typically grown as an energy crop. The woody stems are also used for green manufacturing and chemicals production, as a construction material and... Read more

A race against time is developing as agronomists and seed breeders adapt to increasingly frequent extreme weather. Wetter winters and warmer summers are forcing a rethink in UK agronomy. Crop performance is shifting. So too are pest and disease risks. The challenge now is adapting management and variety choice... Read more

Tighter controls on sewage sludge spreading will improve water quality and reduce river pollution, says the government. Some 41% of England’s rivers, lakes and streams are currently affected by agricultural pollution, says the government. If approved, the new rules will increase oversight on sewage sludge spreading on farmland. Options... Read more

Declining soil health is emerging as a business risk for UK farms, with experts urging growers to monitor fields. In many instances, organic matter and carbon levels – despite a renewed interest in healthy soils. Input costs are increasing as growers try to compensate for rising compaction, with crops... Read more