Improving soil health is goal for Monitor Farmer
Better soil health is among the goals outlined by Ouse Valley farmer Rick Davies, who has joined the Monitor Farm pro- gramme run by the Agricul- ture and Horticulture Devel- opment Board. “As a farmer it’s very easy to
The presence of earthworms indicates a healthy soil structure
source for all types of growers.” Anja Vieweger, of the Organ- ic Research Centre, added: “The GREATsoils project has had a great reaction from the horti- culture community so far, and
we look forward to seeing it con- tinue to grow as AHDB take it forward.” The online resources are avail- able at www.horticulture.ahdb.
org.uk/greatsoils.
stand back but you need to be challenged,” says Mr Davies, who farms 404ha at MTH Davies, between Northampton, Bedford and Milton Keynes. “I want to dig deeper into our busi- ness to focus more on my costs.” The AHDB Monitor Farm programme encourages farm- ers to share ideas and expertise and learn from experts at reg- ular meetings. Mr Davies said: “There is a lot to be learned from other farmers. It will be good to get a group together to talk openly.”
Premium crops grown are milling wheat, spring malting barley and HOLL oilseed rape, all which require careful treat- ment. Soil is a mixture of sandy loam, corn brash, silt and heavy clay loam. Mr Davies hopes to reduce costs while maintain- ing crop quality and improving soil health.
“If I’m looking at reducing
fi xed or variable costs, I need to make sure that we either don’t lose the premium, or that any premium lost is offset by the reduced input costs,” he says. “However, I would usual- ly prefer to grow crops for the premium.” For more information, con-
tact AHDB Knowledge Ex- change Manager Harry Hen- derson at harry.henderson@
ahdb.org.uk
Expert laboratory services to the Agricultural sector
NRM Laboratories has unrivalled experience in agricultural analysis enabling an industry leading analytical service for:
• Soil nutrient analysis:
- Standard UK agricultural soil analysis with RB209 fertiliser recommendations
- Comprehensive trace element analysis with interpretation • Soil Physical analysis
• NRM’s innovative Soil Health analysis – provided with interpretation and recommendations
• Plant tissue nutrient analysis with interpretation for specific crops
• Organic fertilisers for land application – includes results as fertiliser equivalents
• Water testing for Irrigation/Livestock suitability For more information on our services please contact:
Sean Stevenson 01344 898467 07825 177895
sean.stevenson@
nrm.uk.com www.nrm.uk.com
Duncan Rose 01344 898955 07825 177896
duncan.rose@
nrm.uk.com
2334 PAS110 Appointed Testing Laboratory
AUGUST 2018 • ANGLIA FARMER 37
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