FARMERS GET TO SEE SKY DRILL IN ACTION AT COLLEGE FARM OPEN DAY
At the recent 4th Sky Roadshow on 22nd May, farmers got to see the Sky’s EasyDrill (imported from France by Opico since 2015) in action on a trial site at College Farm, Nr Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. College Farm combines 100ha of arable with 20ha of grass grazed by the farm’s pedigree Suffolk sheep. The trials here are currently into their second year.
Various cropping sequences and cover crops are being trialled and the plan is to emulate the success of the Sky farm, Ferme de la Conillais in Brittany and to show and take potential customers on a journey through actual farming years and growing seasons.
Stephen Briggs, Head of Soil & Water at Innovation for Agriculture, soil specialist, practical farmer and consultant shared his extensive knowledge and experience. Stephen gave much for the farmers attending to think about - from the importance of tracking organic matter to the impact of fungicide and seed dressings on the hugely beneficial mycorrhizae population.
Stephen was followed by FACTS qualified, Joe Redman, OPICO’s Sky Drills Product Specialist who shared his knowledge on the benefits of fertilizer placement and how the SKY drill achieves this through large capacity hoppers, 2 separate air circuits and versatility of seed / fertilser placement. Ian Gould, from Oakbank Seeds shared his extensive cover crop experiments and experiences across College Farm.
As always there was plenty of interest in the micro clover/ OSR crop, a combination that Ian had picked up from the Sky trials in France. Both Ian and Steve were able to discuss the impact of cover crops on soil health ie What happens above the ground determines the soil environment under the ground.
A lively, open and honest exchange followed – warts and all! The next Sky roadshow will be on 18th October 2018. Keep an eye on http://www.sky-agriculture. co.uk/roadshow for details. The Sky EasyDrill was also at Groundswell Agriculture in June.
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