SOIL WORKSHOPS AT THE OXFORD REAL FARMING CONFERENCE 2015
Editor Mike Donovan recalls the talk on soil at the 2015 Oxford Real Farming Conference by Bruce Bell of the Scottish Agricultural College. Delegates were asked to bring soil samples so Dr Bruce might analyse them, and the event proved so popular the room in the Town Hall was packed. Unfortunately many farmers thought it a competition to find the best soil and so he was confronted with some examples of the best in the country. A few, including your editor, decided to take samples of poor soil, and the advice was very helpful.
Visual evaluation of soil Bruce Ball specialises in soil physics and soil management at Scotland's Rural College, and concentrates on compaction, structure, and porosity. Bruce says "Visual evaluation is something any farmer can do, without involving expense." Evaluation can suggest remedial action. Bruce told his audience that soil is made up of 45% minerals; 25% air; 25% water; 10% organic material; 10%
is a useful exercise to see the damage which has been created over the years.
roots and around 8% humus. Ratios vary through poor structure and soil type. Evaluation involves extracting and inspecting a block of soil.
Soil block extraction Dig at least a spade spit deep, and more if the field has had some deep cultivating and heavy traffic on it. The block needs to be about 6ins wide and be lifted out carefully and placed on a plastic sack. If the soil is hard it might be necessary to get the block from the side of a previous hole.
He said Tom Batey, a farmer who has been an inspiration to him, tells people to "observe and let the soil tell its story". Comparing soil from the the centre of the field with a block taken from under the fence line, corner, or other area of the field not rolled over with a tractor and/or heavily treaded by cattle
What to look for If the block has a uniform structure the signs are good,
Try 6
FEBRUARY MAY 2020 VOLUME 28 / ISSUE 4 WWW.FARMID EAS.CO.UK
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INSIDE
FARM SAFET Y THINK-PIEC E #3 LIQUID FER TILISER LAGO ON LAMMA 2020 MADE IT MYSELF
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• Carries no advertising or paid content • Focuses on time and money saving ideas • The farming optimiser! Made it Myself - Soil+ Cover Cropping Financial Focus - Farm World - Safety
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