Overview
The importance of good soil health for crop production has long been recognised. Relatively recent environmental concerns have added further reasons to improve soil management. HGCA work aims to provide practical soil management advice as well as a fuller understanding of biochemical processes within the soil.
Research examples
HGCA’s four-year (2012-2016) national Soil Programme of research and development will provide information on practical and sustainable soil management practices. The work will allow soil variability to be better managed (Project 3785), the impact of major changes in soil management practices to more ‘sustainable’ systems to be determined (Project 3786) and soil structure to be enhanced through manipulating soil organic matter (Project 3787).
Future research
Future work commissioned by HGCA will tie in closely with our nutrient research programme, examining how soil structure and composition affect nutrient availability. Another key area of research will be how soil management affects greenhouse gas emissions.
As I write oilseed rape is not yet all in full flower and winter wheat crops have not yet all had a T1 fungicide.
Blog - April drilling disrupted by snow but Aberdeenshire crops still look as good as anywhere
Blog - Crops have developed slowly this spring and I’m already expecting a late harvest
USDA publish first forecasts of world supply and demand estimates for the new crop season
Cropping Systems Platform Open Day
27 Jun 2013
SGS, Alkerton Oaks Business Park, Stratford Road, Banbury OX15 6EP
25 Sep 2013
The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, London, Greater London SW1P 3EE
AHDB Crop Research Conference (Student rate)
25 Sep 2013
The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, London, Greater London SW1P 3EE