Professional services


Farming is relearning what it forgot


W EXPERT VIEW


The agricultural sector is returning to knowledge from more than a century ago, but with updated science and technology, says Richard Soffe.


idely regarded as ‘the Bible’ for every farmer, the Agricultural Notebook was fi rst published more


than 130 years ago. And I found myself revis- iting notebooks from the 1800s when I was compiling the latest edition.


Changes in farming policy and manage- ment meant we looked back at old editions and found things that as an industry we’d forgotten – and that are now coming back full circle. It’s quite amazing. In the 1800s, for example, farmers knew the importance of grasslands being made up of lots of different species. And the latest edition refl ects the fact that we’ve started to increase the mixes in grasslands and herbal leys.


More science and tech Much of this age-old knowledge is combined with modern science and technology – a back to the future step. In particular, chapter au- thors – who were drawn from across Europe – were asked to focus more on environmen-


tal challenges. This refl ecting growing interest in the is-


sue, changes to post-Brexit agricultural poli- cy, the growing number of farmers who adopt- ing regenerative farming practices and the NFU target to reach net zero by 2040. Chapters on farm wildlife and resource management refl ect this too.


FARM WASTE PLASTICS RECYCLING


(Fertiliser and seed bags, all


sizes & types of spray containers & cardboard collected off farm).


Collections over East Anglia, further afield on request.


For more information please call Katherine Smith – 07590 850307 Tom Smith – 07801 416942


ANGLIA WASTE COLLECTION


64 ANGLIA FARMER • JULY 2021


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