legumes

A new research project aims to explore the potential for domestic production and pump-prime the UK’s first chickpea breeding programme. ‘Cicero - developing chickpea as a novel source of domestic UK protein’ is a two-year, £500,000 feasibility study led by the crop science organisation NIAB...

We have a 50 ac block of arable land that we are going to grass down for 2/3 yrs We normally take 3 cuts, will it be worth putting clover in the mix and how much would you be able to reduce nitrogen per cut if we did What else do i need to look for in a seed mixture as i normally just take the...

We put some in 2yrs ago, managed with cutting and sheep with good rest periods and not over grazing or cutting too low. Most of the herbal part has vanished. Ground has received a light dose of fym and 80kg ha of N. White cover looks well so does the rye grass but even the Timothy and...

Patrick Nyaga, Project Coordinator for Regenerative Agriculture at Farm Africa, explains how regenerative farming techniques can benefit farmers and the environment long term. It’s not easy being a farmer in eastern Africa. Those who rely on the land to make a living face many complex...

The government has issued its long-awaited update to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which clarifies and, in some cases, expands on the funding available for farmers and growers The latest manifestation, unveiled earlier last week by Mark Spencer MP, Minister for Food Farming and...

The founder and chairman of Environment Bank, Professor David Hill, recently sat down with New Scientist to discuss the future of farming and food. The interview explores how changing approaches to agriculture are essential in preserving the ‘natural capital’ of global biodiversity and...

In today's agricultural landscape, there is a growing need for sustainable practices to produce increased crop yields whilst minimising the impact to the environment. Farmers play a key role in addressing these challenges and face various pressures, such as reduced availability to chemicals for...

Any thoughts/opinions on a Clover, Clover, wheat, wheat rotation? Thought it might fit in well with my 4 arable fields. Trying to come up with a simple rotation without growing OSR . Would a ley be better with grass in it or would it be a pain in the following wheat? Any value in Clover hay?

My legume mix planted mid April is rapidly growing and now stands over 2 ft tall.how often are people cutting it.lots of flowers at moment so don’t want to destroy them.gov.uk stuff says to cut twice in first year but that’s assuming autumn drilling but they advise spring,summer autumn...

Who can I employ to give me a detailed report on what grasses, legumes, flowers that grow in my grassland in anticipation of making a SFI herbal leys application?

SFT CEO Patrick Holden and his wife Becky Holden farm 300 acres in West Wales and produce a raw milk cheddar called Hafod with the milk from their herd of Ayrshire cows. Here, Becky reflects on the thriving biodiversity on their hill farm and the interconnectedness of the farm and nature. This...

Intercropping, sometimes known as polycropping, is the practice of growing two or more plant species simultaneously in the same field. It can boost crop yields by up to 30%, reduce weeds, improve soil health and increase biodiversity. In a field lab run in 2019, intercropping beans and wheat...

Not sure If we have been unlucky or its just how the seasons are going but after weeks of showers now we have hardly had a decent down pour here yet , we are on sand then go up to peat / shale rock very fast wondering do herbal lays still grow well In places with only 6 inches of soil or are...

Silage field was sprayed this past with with forefront, been assured it’s safe to cut it won’t forefront as the much from the resulting silage will only ever be used back on grassland. But what I was wondering how long after spraying is it safe to cut it ?

One of our field has come up with loads of pineapple weed. Someone told me it is a sign of ground compaction, is this true? And what to do to get it back to grass?

£474/ha. Leave to go to seed and leave over winter. Only on improved grassland. Slippers on, feet up, move to south of France. As per the poll,would you use this option? I worry DEFRA don't realise how their subsidy schemes will affect some people and their businesses. I suspect the days of...

SFI: more ways to enhance your income, productivity and the environment Written by The Team Alison Day This year, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer will be bigger and more flexible. Today, we published the SFI Handbook on GOV.UK. It sets out all the actions we will pay for and...

Afternoon all, Today we've published a handbook containing all the detailed information about the sustainable farming incentive offer for this year. The handbook is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sfi-handbook-for-the-sfi-2023-offer An overview blogpost is here...

In amongst the smoke and mirrors of the discussion @Clive had with Janet at Cereals there was mention of a payment for consultant or agent assistance to help sort the interelationship betweem CS and SFI. Does anyone know how to claim this? It doesn't appear to be mentioned anywhere in any of...

Friend has taken on 15 acres of cr-p grassland, not cropped last year. This year it is just a mess of weeds with a lot of docks and big lot of ragwort. Wants to clear ground, possibly put in a fodder crop for a break and then reseed but what to do with what’s there ???????