About the programme

The programme involves farmers across the country in developing innovative techniques and best practice, aimed at improving productivity, quality and environmental performance in organic and low-input agriculture. We want to showcase a practical approach to R&D that inspires larger research funders to take an ecological approach and give farmers a real say. More about the programme...

Research fund

Research needs to tackle the real problems faced by farmers as they grapple with improving their productivity while protecting the environment. Last year we launched a new research fund where farmers and growers set the priorities. Having heard dozens of innovative ideas from producers and had more than 70 researchers come forward to help, we are delighted to announce the first four projects selected for funding. More about the research fund...

Field labs

At the heart of the programme are field labs - events where farmers and growers test new approaches, share existing best practice and sharpen their problem-solving skills. The field labs are open to all - organic or otherwise - and happen on-farm. Find out more about the field labs or take a look at our current field labs below...

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Soil microbes

Twin N is a formulation of microbes which utilise free atmospheric nitrogen - it claims it will improve yield, plant health and profit.
 
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Composts & biochar

The range available to organic growers is limited, and for propagation of seeds many growers are still using peat based composts.
 
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Antibiotic use

The aim of this lab is to improve health and welfare in dairy farming while reducing antibiotic use, and make effective use of farm records.
 
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Liquid minerals

This study will see if strategic dosing of water with minerals can enhance dairy cow health and ultimately productivity.
 
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Breeding ewes

It has long been felt by farmers that grazing breeding ewes on red clover swards six weeks either side of tupping will affect prolificacy.
 
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Managing fertility

This field lab focuses on how to access and manage fertility economically in field scale vegetable and arable systems.
 
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Seed variety

This field lab will take some of the Open Pollinated seed varieties available to non-organic growers and trials them in organic systems.
 
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Weed control

This field lab aims to improve understanding of how effective different weeding techniques are within stockless arable rotations.
 
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Laying hens

This field lab trials the moulting of six flocks of commercial laying hens to maximise the investment in the organic pullets purchased.
 
Latest field report

Managing fertility

28 March 2013

The day started, after short introductions from our hosts Nacton Farm and partner organisations (LEAF and the Soil Association), with a detailed presentation by David Stanley on how farming fits into... Managing fertility

Latest blog

Trial tomatoes and leeks update

Kate Collyns: So I've finally remembered to note down how many of each trial variety of tomato I planted at the beginning of the month. Jens Tangerine: 13 plants. Galina: 15 plants. Stupice: 15 plants. Chocolate cherry: 2 plants. Then the following from my usual varieties, to compare to the trialists: Tigerella: 27 plants (the best germination). Gardener's Delight: 7 plants (I already have a lot of these already growing outside the trial). Golden Queen: 15 plants. Black Cherry: 6 plants. Overall, the number of plants put in reflects the level of germination, other than as mentioned above. So Chocolate Cherry's germination was not great.

14 June 2013 | 0 Comments | Recommended by 0

Events
Farm Walk: Oakley Grange Farm - Leicestershire
20 June

Richard & Inger Mee,Oakley Grange Farm,Shepshed Road,Hathern, Leicestershire, LE12 5LL 

Farm Walk: Wakelyns Farm - Suffolk
17 July

 Professor Martin S Wolfe, Wakelyns, Metfield Lane,Fressingfield,Suffolk, IP21 5SD

Contact us

Please contact us on producer.support@soilassociation.org or call 0117 914 2400 if you have a query about the programme.

Supported by...

Duchy logo

Prince of Wales's Charitable Foundation