Derbyshire: Optimising soil nutrition - What’s in it for me?

Join AHDB’s Strategic Dairy Farmers Graham, Justine and Jess Worsey from Rough Grounds Farm in Derbyshire and Technical Director at Farm Carbon Toolkit, Becky Wilson. 

The Worseys an Becky will explore how this farm is working towards optimising soil nutrition, with a focus on understanding both the nutrients present in the soil and, crucially, which of those nutrients are actually available to the plant. We’ll discuss how soil structure and biology influence nutrient cycling, and how farmers can better manage soils to support healthy, productive dairy systems.

We’ll also look at how compaction and “rusting” (soil oxidation and degradation) can be reduced, both through natural biological processes and mechanical interventions, and what difference that makes to root development, water retention, and resilience.

From unlocking nutrient availability to building healthier soil structures, all of these debates and more will be covered as we examine the vital role soil science plays in dairy farm performance.

This meeting will cover

• Do roots do it on their own?
• Is chicory sensible or is red clover a better option?
• How can we get air into those heavy soils?
• How do you get them to work in dairy? Where’s the sweet spot?
  
  

About Becky Wilson:

Becky joined Farm Carbon Toolkit in January 2014. A strong advocate for the economic benefits of sustainable farming, she now splits her time between Farm Carbon Toolkit and Duchy College Rural Business School, where she works as a technical specialist in resource management. In 2016, she was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship to explore how best to communicate carbon reduction schemes to farmers - Insights that continue to inform her work today.

Find out more about Rough Grounds Farm