Your soils – the future of your business
Soil degradation is the largest potential disaster facing us all said Monty Don at the recent Soil Association Conference. We may think that we are protected from this in the South West where so much of our land is used for grazing livestock. This may be true as far as soil organic matter is concerned but can we all say that we make the best use of all the nutrients available for our soils and that we understand all we need to about the organisms in the soil which we rely on to work for us.
The health of the soil is dependent on the biological, physical and chemical components and how these interact. Whilst we have many for chemical content of the soil, soil compaction and fertility there is far less known about the soil biota. This is changing and in the last few years the interest in this subject area has increased rapidly with some farmers now checking the levels of soil biota and beginning to understand what they need for optimum soil performance and crop production.
Duchy College and the Soil Association are running a series of events over the next six weeks in the South West highlighting the benefits of soil biota and how they deliver for farmers. The events will also help farmers to develop hands on skills in soil nutrient management and budgeting.
Events are scheduled for Stoke Climsland in Cornwall; Exeter in Devon; Blandford Forum in Dorset and Tetbury in Gloucestershire
To find details of events happening in your area and to book your place contact the Soil Association on 0117 314 5100 or email producer.support@soilassociation.org
http://www.soilassociation.org/farmersgrowers/events
Practical Soils events http://bit.ly/1bAtSpa
