The almost forgotten technique in the UK of grazing cereals is something being widely practiced across Australia in areas with widely varying rainfall levels. The Australian Grain Research and Development Council have produced a report titled Grain and Graze which sets out to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of grazing a range of cash crops. …
No-till farmers are increasingly seeing grass as a useful arable break crop. The mat of grass roots created by No-till provides a fertile top layer of soil for the cash crop, which also benefits from the deep rooting pasture species. Grass builds soil structure and fertility, and also provides a useful income. Hence our cover …
We have been farming in South Northumberland for the past 5 generations and I am in partnership with my father. The farm is primarily mixed livestock and arable with a haulage and commercial grain drying and storage facility. The farm changed dramatically in the early 90’s with ceasing milk production of a 200 cow herd …
Written by David Kennedy, Director General for Food, Farming and Biosecurity at Defra Many readers will have contributed to our “Health and Harmony” consultation on future farming policy in the spring of 2018, when we travelled across the country to gather views from all farmers – receiving over 43,000 responses. Now we are once again …
A golden opportunity to help shape agricultural policy Read More »
Written by DJL Agriculture It was 2010 when Nigel Roobottom and David Lievesley began to see that things needed to go down a more diverse route at Highlands Park Farm, Rangemore, nr Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire. Nigel and Fiona Roobottom secured the tenancy of the farm, previously farmed in hand by Lord Burton, Rangemore Estates in …
Biological Farming Brings Healthy Cows To Rangemore! Read More »
Written by John Meadley from the Pasture Fed Livestock Association “Humankind, despite its artistic and technical abilities, sophistication and accomplishments, owes its existence to six inches of soil – and the fact that it rains”. That phrase, attributed to Confucius (551 – 479 BC), reminds us that soil is the most basic, vital and precious …
It is becoming increasingly apparent that our approach to flood management needs a re-think. Expensive structures and barriers, pumps and sluices might look impressive but if all they do is push the water into someone else’s kitchen further down-stream then it’s a rather hollow victory. Likewise, dredging tonnes of lost topsoil from the riverbeds so …
Abstract from D. L. Antille, W. C. T. Chamen, J. N. Tullberg, R. Lal The drive toward adoption of conservation agriculture to reduce costs and increase production sustainably causes concern due to the potentially negative effects of increased soil compaction. Soil compaction reduces aeration, water infiltration, and saturated hydraulic conductivity and increases the risk of …
CHANGING WEATHER PATTERNS AND EXTREME CONDITIONS HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF SOIL HEALTH This season’s weather extremes highlight the importance of good soil health, says direct strip seeding pioneer and Suffolk farmer Jeff Claydon, who designed the Opti-Till® System. In the last issue I highlighted the importance of operating a crop establishment system which can cope …
Weeds and disease are an ever-present threat to crops, but nutrition plays a key role in tackling both and optimising itshould be a focus for farmers. From variety choice to the latest chemical developments, weed tackling strategies and nutritional advice, Cereals 2020 (10- 11 June) will deliver the knowledge to help farmers overcome many challenges. …
