Resource: Academic research

A tool to help you plan for food and fodder within your rotation and consider weed management, plant health, maximising nitrogen (N) fixation and avoiding N losses.

Find out about the DIVERSIFOOD project and the potential part it could play in future farming; increasing crop diversity and creating local high quality food systems.

Useful publications from a project that focused on ways of improving sustainability and production in organic greenhouse horticulture.

Insights into ways you can manage biodiversity on your land to minimise any negative farming impacts and ensure biodiversity flourishes.

A detailed review to help you recognise farming practices that will encourage soil biota.

An in-depth evaluation of the use of non-cropping trees in orchard fruit production, the potential benefits and conflicting issues.

Prevent antimicrobial resistance in agriculture with alternatives to antibiotics. Find out more from this Nuffield report.

RAU research looking at the effects of intercropping beans and wheat in relation to ecosystem services and forage production.

RAU research results revealing insights into effects of different levels of tillage on wheat yields, weeds, and costs.

RAU research providing insights into effects of different levels of tillage on soil density, weeds, and wheat yields.

Some insights from the RAU on research carried out looking at the influence of different undersown legumes on wheat growth.

Interesting research from the RAU exploring the effects of different forms of tillage on soil chemical and biological properties.

RAU research providing insights into impacts of tillage and undersown crops on winter and spring wheat.

Information on RAU on-farm research that looked at how cutting affected the yield and quality of 6 different varieties of red clover.

Identify where and how you can make changes on your farm to help reduce diffuse water and air pollution and GHGs.

Agroecological approaches are an essential part of sustainable intensification, maintaining agricultural productivity and environmental protection.  

A Nuffield report on bird welfare within free-range systems, identifying opportunities for improvement for the UK poultry industry.

CPRE’s report outlines opportunities for a new vision and policies to establish a sound future for farming based on a more diverse, sustainable and resilient sector.

A fascinating report looking at the potential of incorporating insects in poultry feed and consumer, market and legislation impacts.

Iconic landscape maintenance, environmental support, sustenance of rural communities. And you thought sheep were just about lamb chops!

Descriptions of non-chemical methods that can be used to help control black-grass and factors that help determine their effectiveness.

A summary of biological pest control methods for major UK crops for farmers and growers.

This research report evaluates the use of trees on dairy farms, what benefits can they bring and how significant those benefits are.

It’s a farmer’s most valuable resource, but many soils are in crisis. This report by the Soil Association sets out 7 ways we can save our soils.