Maintaining the fertility of agricultural soils is of paramount importance, not only for the present but also for the future. Soil analysis, and its interpretation, is an important management tool in assessing the need to apply nutrients to maintain soil fertility.

More than three years after their introduction, the Farming Rules for Water hit the spotlight due to increasing concerns surrounding the interpretation of the rules by the Environment Agency. Although manures are a good source of nutrients for crops, there is increasing scrutiny on their usage as farmers are encouraged to fully account for the nutrients they supply and closer match the timing of application to the soil or crop need.

With oilseed rape prices reaching well over £500/t before bonuses, the market appears to be telling growers to plant more of the crop. But with OSR’s very high demand for potash, especially in the spring, serious consideration should be given to the major inputs for this crop.

To produce a good crop, maize plants need to grow very rapidly once they have germinated. To achieve this, a good soil structure, adequate soil moisture and warm soil temperatures (8-12°C) are essential. Maize can easily produce 50 t/ha in a period of four months and therefore has a large demand for nutrients. Any shortage […]

Sugar beet has a large requirement for potassium, with the majority taken up during the early months of growth. For maximum sugar yield it is essential to optimise the interception of solar radiation (sunlight) to provide the energy for the conversion of carbon dioxide to sugars. This requires a rapidly expanding leaf canopy. Nitrogen drives the rapid […]

With the recent cold conditions experienced throughout the UK it is worth considering the impact of nutrition on plant tolerance to cold. The role of K in protecting crops against frost damage is widely recognised, however the detail behind the mechanisms may not be so clearly understood. When potash is deficient in plants, the stomatal […]

Stewardship schemes can form a vital part of a farming business, for both social and financial reasons. That can be the case whether it’s the existing schemes, or future ones yet to be finalised. Many of the highest paid options for arable land are the part or whole field parcel, rotational options, such as AB1 […]

Oilseed rape is going through a tough period at the moment, rapidly falling out of favour on-farm due to difficulties with establishment following the loss of neonicotinoid seed treatments in 2014. On top of this it has also faced increasing challenges with Clubroot, Turnip Yellows Virus, erucic acid levels and weed control. However, despite these […]

It will probably come as no surprise that the high level of rainfall seen over winter throughout most parts of the UK has resulted in lower soil nutrient levels when analysed.

It has been stressed many times about the importance of potassium in crops suffering from drought stress, and each spring appears to provide a reminder of this.

Potassium is an essential nutrient for legumes as it is for all crops. It is an activator for many enzymes, especially those involved in protein synthesis and has an important role in maintaining water balance in the plant. In legumes, potassium is necessary for the proper development and functioning of root nodules. In legumes, rhizobia […]

With harvest having started in several counties across the country, decisions will be being made whether to bale straw or chop and incorporate back into the soil. Many winter barley crops that have not suffered from the dry conditions up to June generally have a large amount of straw. Last year there was quite a […]