Anyone want an infiltration test?

martian · Jan 11, 2019

We've got some boffins from Kings College, London coming out to measure water infiltration over time on our land and that of some of our cultivating neighbours. They want to see if CA can reduce flood risk by absorbing more rain and allowing the water to percolate slowly through the soil rather than all rush off the surface carrying silt and metaldehyde etc with it.

They are keen to do this at a number of sites in the SE of England, on different soils and varying landscapes. They need about 1 sq metre to plant their instrument in, and the same over the hedge on land that is cultivated in the conventional manner. From what I understand, the device will record and send relevant weather info and what happens to the water back to boffin HQ.

Any volunteers? It should be very interesting. They will pass on results to participating farmers. PM me if too shy to post...

nonemouse · Jan 11, 2019

interesting stuff, shame i'm in the wrong part of the country

tr250 · Jan 11, 2019

How long does it need to have been in no-till? I'm interested. midlands j2 of the A14 not sure if that's too far away

pine_guy · Jan 11, 2019

I’m up for it, not quite SE, well NW, the real north, so guess I’m out. Would have found it interesting on my DD trial into stubble and combi drilled in the next field. Be interesting to see the results when they get some

Samcowman · Jan 11, 2019

@martian When do they let you know results? Are your conventional neighbours tempted to change to conservation ag?

Michael S · Jan 11, 2019

I can provide a field of first wheat in the second year no-till, a field of first wheat no-tilled after two years grass, a field of second wheat non inversion tillage and a field of second wheat drilled after ploughing all pretty much flat and all adjacent to one another if that is of any use.

Kiwi Pete · Jan 12, 2019

Yes please, 25mm per evening for the next month would be spot on

Dead Rabbits · Jan 12, 2019

Samcowman said:
@martian When do they let you know results? Are your conventional neighbours tempted to change to conservation ag?

You have a good sense of humor!

Banana Bar · Jan 12, 2019

Yes, Suffolk

theboytheboy · Jan 12, 2019

Would they be interested in permanent pasture Vs cultivated arable?

martian · Jan 12, 2019

Samcowman said:
@martian When do they let you know results? Are your conventional neighbours tempted to change to conservation ag?

I don't know and I don't think so

Badshot · Jan 12, 2019

I've got 2 fields might be of interest.
One has beans DD straight into turf.
One is beans DD into spring wheat stubble.
And over the road my neighbour (who would probably be amenable ) has a field he's just taken on, it has had cultivation on and off, this year he's shallow cultivated it several times to level it up.

martian · Jan 12, 2019

Michael S said:
I can provide a field of first wheat in the second year no-till, a field of first wheat no-tilled after two years grass, a field of second wheat non inversion tillage and a field of second wheat drilled after ploughing all pretty much flat and all adjacent to one another if that is of any use.

That might work well. I'll ask

tr250 said:
How long does it need to have been in no-till? I'm interested. midlands j2 of the A14 not sure if that's too far away

I think that they want a range of different durations. That sounds like the wrong word, but you know what I mean. I'll find out how far they want to travel

theboytheboy said:
Would they be interested in permanent pasture Vs cultivated arable?

They are interested in different grazing regimes on permanent pastures

ShooTa · Jan 12, 2019

Shame its England - if it added the "county" of wales id be jumping on it.

Acke · Jan 12, 2019

ShooTa said:
Shame its England - if it added the "county" of wales id be jumping on it.

Or Sweden!

Mattch · Jan 13, 2019

I have a couple of fields that might be suitable. They are part of a natural flood management project and a no till trial with the EA and Thames Water. West Oxon so just about SE.

SilliamWhale · Jan 13, 2019

ShooTa said:
Shame its England - if it added the "county" of wales id be jumping on it.

Do one yourself. Pretty easy.

farmerm · Jan 13, 2019

I’m genuinely interested to know what tech they plan to use to do the measurements? An Enviroscan type soil moisture probe or something else?

ShooTa · Jan 14, 2019

SilliamWhale said:
Do one yourself. Pretty easy.

yes it is to be fair - link for those interested.
https://soils.sectormentor.com/soil-tests/1-3-infiltration-rate/

Brisel · Jan 14, 2019

martian said:
We've got some boffins from Kings College, London coming out to measure water infiltration over time on our land and that of some of our cultivating neighbours. They want to see if CA can reduce flood risk by absorbing more rain and allowing the water to percolate slowly through the soil rather than all rush off the surface carrying silt and metaldehyde etc with it.

They are keen to do this at a number of sites in the SE of England, on different soils and varying landscapes. They need about 1 sq metre to plant their instrument in, and the same over the hedge on land that is cultivated in the conventional manner. From what I understand, the device will record and send relevant weather info and what happens to the water back to boffin HQ.

Any volunteers? It should be very interesting. They will pass on results to participating farmers. PM me if too shy to post...

Yes, but I'm a long way away from you and am in year 3 of strip tillage, not no till.

@holwellcourtfarm - have you seen this?

Anyone want an infiltration test?

DD Moderator

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

DD Moderator

Member

DD Moderator

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

0 %

Up to 25%

25-50%

50-75%

75-100%

100% I’ve had enough of farming!

Share this page