entifi c than it used to be. These days we talk about how it can be used control the type of milk produced, rather than just for feed. Additional science is included in the soil management chapter, as our understanding of soil has continued to develop. And there’s a much greater focus on renewable energy as farmers look to further non-agricultural in- come generation.
Bigger picture Readers of the chapter on dairying and beef production are encouraged to look at the big- ger picture, says its author Paul Ward, who is a research and programme manager at Duchy College’s Rural Business School. Regarding climate change and emissions,
While it’s a farmer-friendly book, it pulls no
punches in saying that agriculture needs to do more for wildlife. But it encourages farmers to look at their farm’s resources as a whole, so they can manage them more effectively. The 21st edition also includes a new chap- ter dealing with ruminant and monogastric nutrition. Applied nutrition is a lot more sci-
cattle have had a very negative image re- cently, but Paul’s chapter examines ways that grassland sequesters carbon – and other ways farmers can reduce emissions. It focuses on effi ciencies in the system and how to reduce the carbon cost of meat and milk. But it also examines ways to prevent disease, rather than just treat it. And it looks at ways to use technology and data to make better decisions.
Adding value to products is another im- portant topic as producers look for further in- come streams in the post-Brexit world. This includes a bigger focus on adding value, mar-
keting, branding, and story-telling – focusing on the positives of cattle.
Old and new knowledge
As farming and science continue to develop and become more specialised, the Agricul- tural Notebook is moving from being a ‘bi- ble’ to ‘the essential reference book’, which now includes a large number of suggested further resources. It includes a chapter on crop production by Louisa Dines, principle lecturer in agron- omy at Harper Adams University, She says growers now need wider knowledge than in the past, and to combine age-old practices with new science.
Successful UK crop production increas-
ingly requires an excellent understanding of technology, biological and agronomic princi- ples as well as business and marketing prin- ciples. This demands the integration of new tech- nologies and products with a return to some of the basic principles of good agricultural practice – including maintining soil health and diverse and resilient rotations.
Agricultural Notebook co-author Richard Sof- fe is an emeritus fellow at Duchy & Bicton Col- leges’ Rural Business School. The 21st edition is available from Waterstones and on Amazon.
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JULY 2021 •ANGLIA FARMER 65 Appraisals
Budgets & Management Accounts
Joint Ventures
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