Three pronged approach to transforming farming
The way in which we manage our soil and water has crucial importance for our agriculture, so sharing research and knowledge on the best ways to do it is more important than ever.
That was part of the thinking behind the Soil and Water Management Conference, held virtually at Harper Adams University at Edgmond this month.
The conference uses Harper Adams’ research, including a decade-long project which has run at our Shropshire site, examining the impact of reduced traffic and tillage operations on both soil and crops, as well as other tillage and carbon sequestration projects.
However, it isn’t simply a one-way process. Other presentations came from industry figures who can talk about how their work and products can play a role and, importantly, from farmers applying these techniques out in the field.
It’s through this three-pronged approach, drawing on industry, academia and practical application, that we can transform the way we farm – for the good of our soil.
Dr Andy Wilcox is Head of the Agriculture and Environment Department at Harper Adams University
