soil testing

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...

So it’s clear from many other threads that SFI seemingly offers very little or nothing that’s attractive to livestock / grassland so what do you want ? Use this thread to outline your own livestock / grassland SFI standard that both delivers public goods and natural capital for tax payers...

I am on panel chaired by David Exwood next week at the cereals event speaking with Janet Hughes I have been asked to talk about my experience of Sfi pilot and Sfi so far .............. frankly I don't have a lot to say on that as it's been pretty straight forward other than issues around how...

Learn strategies and best practices for investing and sustaining your soil’s ecosystem to improve crop yields while withstanding environmental threats and stripping of key nutrients. Dear No-Till Farmer, As you know, in agriculture, improved management practices have to make sense in dollars...

Information can boost ROI, sometimes even during the growing season.(Farm Journal) By DARRELL SMITH June 2, 2023 According to the old saying, some people make things happen; others watch what happens; and still others wonder what happened. It pays — literally — to be in the first group. That...

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...

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

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/15/ministers-call-for-immigration-and-uk-food-prices-to-increase Another well written piece by the Guardian and I note it's been pointed out we have the lowest food prices in Europe, not a word arguing against increases. Not that there's a...

Last week, AHDB, the British Grassland Society and LIC ran a joint event hosted by Graham and Pam Clarke. Katie Evans reports on what their farm is doing to profit through grass. Sourcing calves Graham manages a dairy-beef system, from rearing calves to selling finished cattle at 24–32 months of...

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

As awareness of carbon credits and different schemes on offer grows, it is important to understand what to look out for in these schemes. We have compiled our main watch points for schemes that offer payments for carbon sequestration in the agriculture sector. Main watch points Each contract...

Seem to be more of a problem every year around this time.what are people using to take them out or would a higher rate of stomp/picona in autumn be more effective?

Has anyone had good or bad success with stitching new grass seed into an existing high input/output silage sward? We have a block of land in its 5th year ley, fairly open sward with no thatch due to the hybrid/perennial ryegrass mix but it has thinned a bit and we want to rejuvenate it. It's...

Written by Richard Halleron from Agriland Tillage specialists have confirmed that clubroot thrives in a low pH environment. This year has seen the disease flare up in oilseed rape crops across the country. Teagasc Oak Park-based, Dr. Steven Kildea is encouraging growers to increase soil pH...

any one done it what issues looking at the rpa system it looks straightforward how does it link with mid tier i am looking at current soil standard with the addition of the new standards that come on line in the summer not keen on waiting as that cost lost income with hind sight should...

Liquid fertiliser on grassland Hi all , seen an add on DoneDeal IRE for liquid fertiliser. It was a mix of Nitrogen+Sulphur+Humate+Seaweed Didn’t look too bad in my opinion. I rang them up and it’s going to cost a bit to get it delivered to mainland UK. Was wondering if anyone else is using...

Is it just me? Just had the email in and scrolled through the options. A few leap out and you look at them, the grant doesn’t cover much of the cost and you know darn well the admin required will drive you nuts. Frustrating really because there is lots I could do improve my patch but I can’t...

Download PDF Making every bit of nutrition count is the name of the game. Results of a five-year study reveals some of the nutritional pitfalls when using averages to predict crop requirements. CPM finds out more. By Lucy de la Pasture The UK’s soil has far greater variability in its structure...

I am becoming very disenchanted with growing Herbal leys. Maybe I am doing something wrong, but I cannot get them to last. I have a feeling that growing them on heavy wet clay land is not suitable. They start off very well and we try not to overgraze and fence in blocks. We rest it during the...

Written by Richard Halleron from Agriland The latest updates from the Lemken: Agrii soils’ programme were delivered to a group of tillage farmers in Northern Ireland, courtesy of a workshop recently hosted by John McElderry Tractors. The event was held in the company’s Ballymoney premises...