National Soil Symposium
This two day technical event was dedicated to informing and inspiring farmers and growers on the latest thinking and developments in relation to soil management.
Programme
Thursday 15 November
Welcome Address
Soil Innovation and Research
This session focused on the latest research and innovation in relation to soil. Speakers included:
Grower session: Biochar fertility and sequestration, potential and practicalities and, examine some of the latest research from UK applications. Speakers included:
Livestock session: Optimising soil management for livestock, maximising trace element nutrition in soil, management techniques as well as covering some novel approaches including growing buckwheat. Speakers included:
Low Carbon Farming and launch of new management tool
This session looked at public goods from soils, the broad principles of low carbon farming tools as well launching the Soil Association’s low carbon tool (FCAT). The impact of traffic on soils and crops was considered along with the profitability of farms adopting controlled traffic systems. Speakers included:
Friday 16 November
Overview of the Organic Market
Livestock session: Anaerobic Digestion
This session clarified Soil Association standards in relation to anaerobic digestion, types of digestate and different applications, as well as associated costs of setting up a digestor on a small to medium scale. Speakers included:
Grower session: Making the best compost for your soil
This session included results from the Royal Horticultural Society trials from compost additions, experiences of incorporating the Albert Howard approach into modern day practice as well as the benefits to soil of using a large scale composting approach. Speakers included:
Farming, water and trees
This session explored the benefits to planting trees on farms as well as the tackling water issues including a review of the Royal Bank of Canada Blue Water Project and Catchment Sensitive Farming project. Speakers included:
Images from the event