By way of an experiment, we've just spent the day sprinkling half an acre with a trial of no-till potatoes. Plastered the land with some well rotted FYM and dropped the seed in rows on top and covered with straw. What could possibly go wrong? Do badgers like potatoes? If so they haven't got far to go to find them. We'll have to keep an eye on the rats too. The barn owls will get fat at least.