Resource: Farmer experience

A slideshow providing information on some of the inspiring farming systems and a little of the science featured at the Agricology field day on January 2018.

LEAF Demonstration Farmer Chris Baylis discusses measures put in place to help improve soil structure and drainage on his farm with agricultural advisor Philip Wright.

LEAF Demonstration Farmer Nick Bragg from Frogmary Green Farm talks about his experience of tackling soil erosion and run-off problems, with the help of Catchment Sensitive Farming.

A Woodland Trust case study highlighting how trees and shrubs can be vital for arable farms, helping to protect topsoil against erosion from wind and rain.

Break free from costly organic concentrates: how organic home-grown feedstuffs can feed your dairy cows in winter and save you money.

Sheep farmer Paul Renison talks about the challenges of farming on the edge of the North Pennines and describes using trees to help increase shelter and reduce lamb loss.

Interested in increasing crop diversity & growing ‘non-traditional’ crops? Have a look at these useful resources from Garden Organic’s ‘Sowing New Seeds’ project.

Interested in diversifying? Perhaps growing some tropical crops? This report provides some useful insights from some trials run in West Cornwall.

Andrew Howard takes us on a fascinating tour of the potential of intercropping – recorded at an OK-Net Arable project event.

Jake Freestone talks about his experiences of growing oilseed rape with buckwheat and vetch and highlights benefits he has observed.

A field lab report comparing four green manure mixes; investigating their effect on soil structure and quality, benefits to the following crop, and their value.

Invest in your soil & reap the returns; an arable farmer’s endeavours in improving soil health through using green manures & grass leys.

Useful grower insights into protected cropping management to encourage beneficial insects and discourage pests.

Improving soil health and enhancing wildlife on a mixed organic farm through using sustainable natural inputs and innovative cropping.

Insights into Ian Wilkinson’s quest to create a system of mixed farming with diverse cropping and livestock, reducing external inputs and adding value to commodity foods.

Short video clips by farmer John Pawsey recorded during his quest to integrate sheep with wheat and help improve soil fertility and crop yields.

The Farm Health check enables you to appraise how effective your holding is at meeting the needs of wild pollinators and beneficial insects.

Tim Field describes the installation of a biomass boiler at Daylesford Farm.

Farmers working to develop a procedure to help effectively identify and treat mastitis, through an Innovative Farmers field lab.

A short must-watch video highlighting the importance of protecting and enhancing our topsoil and featuring a couple of inspirational farmers.

No-dig market garden expert Charles Dowding tells of his findings over the years, experimenting with digging and not digging his soils.

John Cherry talks about his experiences of converting to no-till and mob grazing – with regard to managing black-grass and renewed fertility in the soil.

​Podcast looking at simple low-cost tools to support moving cattle in a mob-grazing system.

Catchment Sensitive Farming farm case study on the business and environmental benefits of maximising grazing efficiency and improving slurry and soil management.