How wiggily worms get farmers out of a hole

Farmers are counting their worms as scientists use them as wiggily guides to test the health of their soil.

Worms provide a helping hand to farmers as they improve drainage and help break down organic matter on the soil surface to aid crop growth.

They are also a barometer of how environmentally friendly the farming methods are as they can be harmed by ploughing and chemicals applied to soil.

Now farmers are participating in a nationwide survey led by a scientist at Scotland’s Rural College who observed an increase in inquiries about what constituted a healthy worm population.

Dr Jackie Stroud, an earthworm expert and senior lecturer in farming systems, designed the survey for farmers to assess overall numbers and to check they have all three ecological worm types necessary to perform different roles in the soil.

She said: “It’s been driven by farmers. They wanted to know more about worms and how you measure them and what’s a good worm population.

“It helps farmers with knowing what’s working and what isn’t working. Worms don’t replace farming methods but they provide that complementary service.”

Three different types of native worm live in soil in the UK. Surface worms feed on debris lying on the soil, while top soil worms live below the surface and are the type most reliably found in the UK.

Deep burrowing worms, which create 3ft channels into the soil, are particularly beneficial to farmers as they help improve drainage to stop water pooling on the surface and rotting crops.