What helps improve your water and nutrient use efficiency?

[NikiRust]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the Farming Forum so I thought I'd first of all say hi! I am a researcher based in the Agriculture Department of Newcastle University and am working on a few projects that are trying to see how we can make farming more resilient to future environmental change.

One of these projects, SolACE, is looking at how to improve water and nutrient-use efficiency in crops. Some of the scientists in the project are testing a number of different techniques and products (like microbial inoculants/biostimulants, hybrids and genotype/variety mixtures) but I wanted to know what do you on your farm to improve water and nutrient-use efficiency?

If you'd like to share your thoughts, I'm running a super quick 10-min survey on the topic where everyone who fills it in will be entered into a prize draw to win an annual subscription to either Farmers Weekly or Farmers Guardian (your choice).

Here's a link to the survey if you'd like to take part:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1...-3MVhBzTFe1sNSeLFHv6jDWA/viewform?usp=sf_link

I'd also be happy to chat with you either in the forum or over the phone if you have any questions or want to share your experiences.

Thanks so much!

Best wishes,

Niki Rust
Centre for Rural Economy
Agriculture Department
Newcastle University

 

[NikiRust]

Some people seem to have trouble accessing the Google Form, so if you do, you can also find it on Microsoft Forms here:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/Resp...__ZMxfDZUMlRUSkZZVjk1MkI1VlYxRkZYT1dGQjZBRC4u

 

[Brisel]

I’m unable to access the link from my device but the quick answer is to boost soil organic matter.

 

[NikiRust]

I’m unable to access the link from my device but the quick answer is to boost soil organic matter.

That's good to know, thanks! What sorts of things do you do to improve your soil organic matter?

 

[Brisel]

That's good to know, thanks! What sorts of things do you do to improve your soil organic matter?

Direct drilling, cover crops, buying in sewage cake, compost, muck etc.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Miccorhizal fungi.
That's part of the plan anyway.

 

[wanton dwarf]

I know this is probably beyond the remit of what you are doing ..

But can we PLEASE have an integrated waste management system ?

What I mean by this is chemicals are taken off the land .. taken to mouths .. comes out the other end .. but unfortunately most of the chemicals do not go back on the land.

It may take a while but eventually the land will suffer .. we need councils, water companies and government to really focus on what is required rather than focusing on CO2.

Sustainability is not reducing CO2 .. sustainability is recycling the chemicals taken off the land and bringing them back in a cost effective and efficient manner.

 

[steveR]

I know this is probably beyond the remit of what you are doing ..

But can we PLEASE have an integrated waste management system ?

What I mean by this is chemicals are taken off the land .. taken to mouths .. comes out the other end .. but unfortunately most of the chemicals do not go back on the land.

It may take a while but eventually the land will suffer .. we need councils, water companies and government to really focus on what is required rather than focusing on CO2.

Sustainability is not reducing CO2 .. sustainability is recycling the chemicals taken off the land and bringing them back in a cost effective and efficient manner.

Only DO NOT call them chemicals, as the great British public and the journos automatically will jump and have fits
at the word!! Maybe... nutrients?

 

[wanton dwarf]

Only DO NOT call them chemicals, as the great British public and the journos automatically will jump and have fits
at the word!! Maybe... nutrients?

Maybe .. it would be far better if people were brought to face reality rather IMHO.

But you are probably right.

 

[steveR]

Maybe .. it would be far better if people were brought to face reality rather IMHO.

But you are probably right.

Reality is really just what people want to believe, in too many cases!!!

 

[Brisel]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the Farming Forum so I thought I'd first of all say hi! I am a researcher based in the Agriculture Department of Newcastle University and am working on a few projects that are trying to see how we can make farming more resilient to future environmental change.

One of these projects, SolACE, is looking at how to improve water and nutrient-use efficiency in crops. Some of the scientists in the project are testing a number of different techniques and products (like microbial inoculants/biostimulants, hybrids and genotype/variety mixtures) but I wanted to know what do you on your farm to improve water and nutrient-use efficiency?

If you'd like to share your thoughts, I'm running a super quick 10-min survey on the topic where everyone who fills it in will be entered into a prize draw to win an annual subscription to either Farmers Weekly or Farmers Guardian (your choice).

Here's a link to the survey if you'd like to take part:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1...-3MVhBzTFe1sNSeLFHv6jDWA/viewform?usp=sf_link

I'd also be happy to chat with you either in the forum or over the phone if you have any questions or want to share your experiences.

Thanks so much!

Best wishes,

Niki Rust
Centre for Rural Economy
Agriculture Department
Newcastle University

Done

 

[PSQ]

Using NDVI images, combine yield maps and soil nutrient mapping to identify areas of below optimum performance, then:
1- using a 'representative' NDVI image to derive variable rate seed maps, and verifying the results using yield mapping over multiple years.
2- using the same images to identify areas of poor soil texture and / or compaction, digging holes, remedial cultivation if required.
3- application of lime, organic manures, gypsum etc as required.

All of the above designed to increase soil porosity, rooting, water holding capacity (dry years) and drainage (wet years).

 

[Highland Mule]

Pasture fed cattle and sheep, using virtually zero water beyond that provided by the good Lord and which would otherwise run off to flood. No irrigation, minimal water troughs and all moisture returned to the soil. How could beef and lamb ever be thought of as water demanding food?