We know that healthy soil means healthy yields, a healthier environment and resilience to future climate change.
This year the Global Soil Partnership is dedicating World Soil Day 2017 on December 5 to the theme “Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground.” The campaign is envisaged to:
- Raise awareness on the importance of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the increasing challenges in soil management and,
- Raise the profile of healthy soil by encouraging governments, organizations, communities and individuals around the world to engage in proactively improving soil health
Soil is a year round concern for our members; as Phillip Jarvis, member of the NFU’s Environment Forum, put it: “soil is one of the most important assets to a farmer. It is his shop floor and what we put in, how we care for and handle our soil, has a direct impact on what we take away.”
- Read Phil’s blog here.
Earlier this year, the NFU along with GWCT and LEAF held a Soils Day at the Allerton Project, Loddington, Leicestershire. The event was sponsored by Dale Drills and Kings Crops and in partnership with the Sustainable Intensification Research Platform.
The day provided an overview of the developments into cover crop research; including how they can be managed, treated and destroyed and the benefits they can provide including improvements to soil condition and farm productivity. An extensive line-up of speakers entertained the delegates including Professor Chris Stoate from the Allerton Project, Ron Stobart from NIAB TAG, Emily Smith from AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds, LEAF Farmer and Head of Farming at Sir Richard Sutton Settled Estates, Chris Baylis and Professor Jonathon Leake of Sheffield University. NFU combinable crops chairman Mike Hambly chaired the day.
A farm tour at Loddington also took place, with initial results from the first three years of cover crops field trials and research unveiled. The walkover also contained drill demonstrations and discussion led by Richard Barnes of Kings Crops, James Dale of Dale Drills and Phil Jarvis from the Allerton Project.
Social media
You can join in with World Soil day 2017 on social media platforms. Post your messages, photos and videos using #WorldSoilDay.