Project investigating use of silicate rock to be based in Perthshire

A “ground-breaking” eight-month project to investigate the benefits of using crushed silicate rock in helping draw down more carbon into soils is to be based in Perthshire.

The Rock On Soils initiative involves a collaboration between farmers, the Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA) and scientists from Abertay University, the James Hutton Institute, Dundee University and the Geoscience department of German institution Forschungszentrum Juelich.

Benefits to soil and biodiversity will be measured alongside the environmental impact of using the crushed rock.

Ballinluig farmer Alex Brewster, from Rottmell Farm, is one of the producers involved in the project that will analyse soils and carbon at Rotmell, test the practicalities of using the silicate rock crushings on a number of farms, and ultimately develop a simple app for the industry.

The project will be managed by Emily Grant of Forrit (Farming and Consultancy) and Debs Roberts of SOPA

Ms Grant said: “Farming and agriculture has been given a bad name when it comes to environmental impacts, so we are really keen to investigate ways Scottish farmers can be more carbon friendly and deliver Scottish Government climate change goals.

“The initial research suggests this product could be a game changer, not only in terms of tackling climate change, but also helping to improve soil and plant health. We could be at the cutting edge of some really positive work for carbon friendly farming.”

Covid-19 restrictions mean a virtual style of networking will be employed to disseminate information, including use of the @RockOnSoils Twitter presence.

Debs Roberts said: “This is such an intriguing project to be part of, and it is an excellent example of grassroots farming grasping the opportunity to work with cross-sector partners in the scientific sector. The prospect of farmers and scientists collaborating so closely on Rock On Soils is incredibly exciting, and the fact that we have been able to go ahead virtually is really innovative.”

Funding will come from the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund.