Event
Digging Into Your Dairy Soils
Join AHDB on Tom Pattison’s farm for a practical session focused on assessing and improving soil and nutrient management.
This event is part of the Strategic Dairy Farm programme and will provide an honest look at current practices, highlight challenges and share evidence-based solutions that work on real dairy farms.
You’ll leave with at least one idea you can take back to your own business, whether it’s about reducing fertiliser costs, managing compaction, or making the most of slurry.
What to expect at the meeting
- Review of current soil and nutrient practices on Tom’s farm
- Identifying key challenges (e.g. compaction, drainage, nutrient losses)
- Understanding nutrient inputs (slurry, fertiliser) and soil health status
- Practical solutions to improve soil structure and nutrient efficiency
- Reducing reliance on bought-in fertiliser
- Integrating soil health into day-to-day dairy operations
- Potential demo areas digging with a spade
Speakers
- Tom Pattison – Host farmer, sharing current practice and goals
- Philip Wright – Independent soil specialist, expert input on structure and nutrient use
- Alan McFadzean – Facilitator, AHDB Dairy Knowledge Exchange
Please arrive at 10:30am for an 11am start.
North East Cotswold Farmer Cluster: Farm Walk & BBQ
16th September 2025
Visit Ditchley Estate and join this gathering of farmers from the Thames Valley region to discuss local conservation, farming and farmer groups. See the estate’s own practices and hear from advisor Peter Thompson, founding father of the GWCT’s farmer cluster initiative.