Farmers find Courier Country to be fertile ground for awards

Top two prizes in JHI soil competition won by farmers from Angus and Fife

Courier country farmers have scooped the top awards in the James Hutton Institute’s (JHI) annual best soil competition.

The overall award, announced at the Royal Highland Show, was for a sample from Lacesston Farm, near Cupar, which is run by John Weir, while Douglas Greig from Tealing won the young farmers prize for a record third time. Lacesston is a 200-hectare farm that predominantly grows spring barley for malting, as well as potatoes and winter varieties of wheat, oats, oilseed rape and barley.

Announcing the winners, JHI chief executive Professor Colin Campbell emphasised the importance of soil for productivity as well as sustaining a wide range of benefits to the environment.

He added: “The soils submitted to the competition show that many farmers are aware of its importance and a need to invest in this natural capital. However, the call for more attention to be paid to soil health in our recently published Agricultural Strategies highlights we need to reach many more farmers in the future if we are to really improve our soils.”

Soil scientist Dr Jason Owen, a member of the judging panel, explained the judging process.

“After assessing the physical nature of the soils and considering laboratoryderived data, the panel chose a soil with good structure in large part due to its organic matter content, thus making it resistant to erosion and degradation, key attributes with current pressures on soils, and ensuring adequate drainage,” he said.

NFU Scotland president and Dumfriesshire farmer, Andrew McCornick, pointed out that when farm margins are tight, investment that protects or enhances the structure and health of soils can often be neglected.

However, he added: “This competition was the inspiration for our business to carry out a major programme of soil analysis on our farm last spring.

“With pH levels low, we questioned whether we could afford the necessary improvements. However, if we are to make the most of other inputs, like fertiliser and grass seed, the reality was that we couldn’t afford not to do it if we are to get the best out of our soil and the farm. These winners are a great example of what can be achieved.”

Photography. Picture: Wullie Marr Top two: Douglas Grieg, 20, with his trophy and John Weir, of Lacesston Farm, who won overall award for best soil in show, with his prize.