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Conference sets out practical steps for farmers to boost soil health and water quality

Posted 13 December

Steps to help farmers boost soil health and water quality have been set out at an annual conference at Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ.

The Soil and Water conference – which has been a December fixture for many years at the University – examined a diverse range of topics, including climate change, drainage, and soil health and resilience.

Running both in-person and online, it welcomed researchers from institutions, organisations and universities across the UK - from the James Hutton Institute to the National Association of Agricultural Contractors - as well as farmers, industry representatives, and more.

Great event on water and was able to emphasise the importance of drainage on all agricultural operations

— Jill Hewitt (@jillspringtime)

Everything starts with soil! ??????

Great to hear from our Demonstration Farmer at the Soil & Water Management Conference earlier this week .

Lots of interesting insights into drainage & improving soil organic matter

— LEAF (@LEAF_Farming)

Conference Chair and Visiting Professor in Agricultural Engineering Dick Godwin, said: “The Soil and Water Management Centre planned this conference to inform participants on measures for enhancing soil health and water quality for generations to come.

“This is a particularly critical topic when climate change and economic pressures are impacting upon our soils and where the management of the thin surface layer of soil is critical for maintaining food production in an environmentally sustainable manner by minimising run off, flooding and erosion.

“The presenters were selected to provide a balanced blend of researchers, farmers, advisors, contractors and manufacturers, all with the aim of maintaining and improving soil conditions.

“They discussed the impacts of climate change, the benefit of effective land drainage, the mitigation of soil compaction for soil resilience, the Sustainable Farming Incentive and the effect of the commoditised food market.”

It is the Soil and Water Conference today at with the theme “Keeping the Field in the Field” Great turnout and we are opening with Mike Rivington giving a great (but somewhat worrying) presentation on the weather. ???????????????

— Andy Wilcox (@dr_andy_wilcox)

During the day Crop Science researcher and Lecturer Dr Edward Dickin and Senior lecturer in Soil and Water Management Dr Paula Misiewicz held a session where they launched The Farmers Guide, a series of practical take-home points and opportunities for farmers based on the long-term Traffic and Tillage project, which has been running at Harper Adams for more than a decade.

The Guide – which can be and is summarised – takes more than ten years of research and distils it into documents which farmers can use to help boost their own soil health.

The day also saw strong interaction through partners from the University's . 

Alex Hardie, the Schoole's Business Developmengt Manager, said: “We’re thrilled to have seen so many industry professionals and food producers returning for this year’s conference, on and offline.

"It was also our pleasure to host a screening of Six Inches of Soil immediately after the conference to a group of engaged individuals. Clearly our soils are a critical component of our food production system and the School of Sustainable Food and Farming is committed to supporting growers to access trusted information about sustainable production practices.

"We’d like to thank everybody who supported this year’s event and we look forward to hosting the event again in 2025.”

Reflecting on the event afterwards, Professor Godwin added: “Very positive feedback has been received from participants who attended both in the conference room and on-line.

“For example, and I quote: ‘I may be biased with my interests, but it is rare to go to a meeting where everything on the agenda is super interesting and keeps you engaged’ and another ‘Excellent day - I’m so glad I came.’”