Author Posts: Farmers Guide

A new carbon decision support tool is being piloted by Innovation for Agriculture (IfA) to help farmers choose the most appropriate platform for assessing carbon on their farm from the growing number of options available.

Practical advice on how to farm in harmony with nature – and how to make that work for businesses – will be on offer with the Soil Association charity at Groundswell on the 28th and 29th June 2023.

Emergency authorisation has been granted for the aerial spraying and some ground-based applications of Asulox (Asulam) to control the spread of bracken in England, with decisions for other parts of the UK to follow next week.

The machinery display at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show will feature Farmtac’s pioneering all-electric compact tractor, alongside other cutting-edge machines from the brand including the popular FT26 and the higher horsepower FT6050.

You will almost certainly have heard some mention of Natural Capital (NC) by now as it has been the hot topic of the year so far for most of our landowner or farming clients. Through this article, Birketts explores what NC is, and also where you might expect to be able to obtain funding to support any NC projects you might have in mind.

The principles of redesigning agricultural systems to regenerate soils, biodiversity and the bottom line are the same no matter where you are in the world.  It is how we interpret and apply them which changes, and this is what Groundswell is all about – exploring the nuances of regenerative approaches across the diverse landscapes of the UK.

At the first ever ‘Nature for Finance’ event held at Downing Street yesterday (19th June), Defra announced further support for farmers to access private investment for nature recovery projects that deliver outcomes such as improved soil health and ecosystem services on farms to promote sustainable food production.

Weeks of rumours have been put to rest last Thursday (15th June) when Irish meat processor ABP Foods announced it will be taking over the Bridge of Allan abattoir and Queenslie meat packing plant in Scotland, leading to concerns being raised regarding the nation’s red meat sector.

A University of Warwick research project is looking to see haricot beans, otherwise known as the classic baked bean, grown on a commercial scale in the UK to reduce food miles, improve soil structure, and extend farm rotations with a short-season, nitrogen-fixing crop desired by British growers.

While financial and environmental pressures mount, so does our dependency on our soil. For those stepping away from conventional approaches, it can be a hard journey. Mark Shaw, UK manager at Gaïago, explains how microbes and natural substances can ease the transition, maintaining yields and building structure.

Groundswell Festival, which takes place at Lannock Manor Farm in Hertfordshire from Wednesday 28th to Thursday 29th June 2023, will include discussions on a variety of topics including soil health, water systems, fibre farming, nutrition, supply chains and landscape-scale regeneration, to name but a few.

As part of their work to contribute to farmers’ efforts in showcasing British agriculture, A-Plan Rural Insurance has set up a rural community blog where they invite farmers to give their experiences in the industry.