Enhance your productivity and protect the environment by taking care of your soils

Digging soil (Countryside online)_53743

The key to good soil management is to understand the soil types on your farm. This can vary dramatically across a holding and it is important that where there is variation it is managed appropriately.

Remember:

Well-structured soil which is free from compaction and has good levels of soil organic matter will usually be free-draining and support good crop growth.
Good soil health is fundamental to profitable farming and a cleaner environment.
Good soil management will help to increase resistance to pests and diseases and will help improve the utilisation of fertilisers.
Resilience at times of either drought or flood will be enhanced due to a greater rooting capacity where you have good soil structure.

There are many simple steps you can take to ensure good soil management on your farm promotes the health of the environment alongside the health of your business.

Know your soil

While your soil type and its key characteristics do not change, the soil structure will vary across the farm from year to year depending on things such as crop rotation, machinery use, livestock stocking density and the weather.

Support healthy soil organic matter

Soil organic matter is made up of plant and animal matter which releases nutrients into the soil as it decomposes. This improves the porosity, workability, fertility and biota of soils, as well as helping to maintain good structure.

Ensure suitable drainage

Maintaining your land drainage is an essential tool for maximising the workability of your soils and will help improve both crop development and soil quality.

Prevent soil compaction

A checklist for avoiding compaction - which is the compression of soil into a solid impermeable layer, either at the surface or within the topsoil.

Know your soil pH and nutrient needs

Understanding your existing soil nutrient levels helps you to apply only the additional nutrients you need, saving you time and expense.

Soils and pesticide application

Well managed soils can help reduce the risk of pesticides reaching water from soil erosion, surface runoff and drain flow.

Water

Taking care of the water on your farm protects your business, the environment and other water users.

Air

Reduce your farm emissions to avoid air pollution, whilst saving yourself money.

Wildlife

Manage areas of your farm to support beneficial insects such as pollinators and other farmland wildlife.

Climate Change Mitigation

Cut your carbon footprint through improved efficiency, carbon capture and renewable energy.

Advice and training

Find out more about how to choose the right environmental measures, put them in the right place and manage them in the right way.

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