Workshops to offer advice on improving soil health

Scottish growers are invited to learn about improving soil health at a series of agronomy workshops next month.

The free events, organised by AHDB and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), will offer growers advice on key issues such as varieties, markets, fungicide performance and soil health.

AHDB knowledge exchange manager Claire Hodge said a key focus of the events would be improving soil health using a whole rotation approach, as well as the concept of maximising yield potential.

She said a number of farmer speakers would explain how they have boosted their yields through taking part in ADAS’ Yield Improvement Network (YEN) Awards.

“Scottish growers taking part in YEN have been doing incredibly well because the focus is not simply on growing the highest volume,” said Ms Hodge. “Instead, ADAS assesses each participating farm in terms of climate, soil type and growing season and the result is a potential yield figure that could be reached in the best possible conditions.”

Other speakers include Professor Fiona Burnett – the head of SRUC’s crop and soil systems research group – who will discuss likely disease pressures for the year ahead.

SRUC’s team leader in agronomy, Dr Steve Hoad, will announce the top varieties to look out for in 2019, while Julian Bell from SAC Consulting will provide a cereals market overview and outline the importance of product specifications.

The Perthshire event will take place on Thursday January 10 at Perth Racecourse.

To book a place, visit www.cereals.ahdb.org. uk/agronomy2019