organic matter

The SARE/CTIC national farmer survey has assessed farmer experiences and perceptions about cover crops six times from early 2013 to early 2020. In most years, approximately 2000 farmers responded to the survey questions, a majority of which were cover crop adopters but a significant fraction (7...

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Sometimes to go forward, you must go back. A new study from Colorado State University's Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and and the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology found that regenerative practices—including integrating crop and livestock systems—were...

I'm reluctantly growing second wheats again this autumn. I test seed and try to avoid fungicidal seed dressings where possible. I was horrified to see the price of latitude but I'm not sure if I should really be using it? It would seem in a no-till situation and very early October drilling its...

I know it's very early still, but looks like my neighbour is making a bit of hay on a small field that he lets people camp on. Couple of others seem to be underway with haylage. I've just been and mowed 8 acres that is going to be haylage for a chap this evening. It will be at least 10...

Written by Richard Halleron from Agriland The roll out of Northern Ireland’s Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) remains on schedule, according to the project’s management team. The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is confirming that the vast majority of soil tests required within...

Have some elderly neighbours who have dumped their grass cuttings on the grass verge at the end of our farm road but still just on council property, I assume to make some point. They have a history of moving my fences instead of cutting their hedges, objecting to planning applications and making...

Download PDF Achieving sustainability requires a multi-faceted approach from farm businesses. CPM explores how growers can build resilience into their rotations over the coming years. By Charlotte Cunningham Delivering longer terms sustainability objectives demands more forward planning than...

None of the apps are showing any rain for the next fortnight, I’m already worried!

Written by CPM Magazine from CPM Magazine Download PDF At Agritechnica 2019, Sky revealed multiple revisions to its EasyDrill direct disc drills. CPM visits an Oxfordshire farm with experience of both pre- and post-upgrade models, to discover what influenced the decision to stay with the maker...

Written by CPM Magazine from CPM Magazine Download PDF Stress is arguably the single biggest risk factor for any barley crop. CPM attended a BASF roundtable to discover why preventing stress in the crop is important and how this can be done while facing numerous challenges. By Melanie...

There's a few options within ELMS which look to improve soils, with long term benefits. Also some productivity investment incentives. Most of ELMS seem to revolve around land based options which reduce food production or completely remove the land from production via various forms of fallow...

Our ground has a high clover content, but think it could do with an extra boost about now. What fertiliser should I be putting on to avoid doing too much harm to the clover but still getting a boost of grass growth. It’s only for sheep grazing. Upland/ hill farm

Download PDF Soil conditions are nothing new, but a new five-year trial highlights the benefits of improved soil health across the rotation. CPM finds out more. By Rob Jones Soil health has risen to the top of the agenda in recent years, with many farmers reducing tillage to promote the...

One of the key questions for farmers today is whether to continue using a plough. Land has been ploughed to grow crops for thousands of years. Arguably, urban societies and civilisation itself, owe their existence to the plough. But ploughing can damage soil structure and biological life. Soil...

Its time for farmers to now accept their future and prepare, Just watched another video on youtube about the impact the goverments sub removal is having on small farms, given the fact bps goes straight to the net profit and requires no turnover to get im just curious as to how people will...

Anyone got any idea what cattle muck is worth from beef cattle per ton

Tickets have gone on sale for this year's Groundswell. We have, even more so than usual, got a fantastic line-up of speakers who'll give you great ideas, advice and stimulation. Nicole Masters and Joel Williams will both be giving talks from first principles for those thinking of moving to a...

The last few years have seen extreme weather conditions across the UK. From seemingly unending drought during summer, to long dry spells followed by exceptional rainfall in spring. As our weather becomes more volatile, how do we remain resilient when we cannot predict what the future might hold...

On a blazing hot day in June, Matt Moreland sat behind the wheel of a combine, harvesting acre upon acre of wheat. While many American farmers would be spending the next weeks tilling their fields into neat rows, eliminating stubble from the freshly reaped harvest, Moreland’s son James, 27...

China, with just 9% of the world's arable land, has successfully produced a quarter of the world's grain and fed its own population. As one of the world’s ancient civilizations, China has experienced farming for thousands of years. While it is the largest nation in Asia by land area, it has just...