How to guides

Practical guides to help farmers and growers plan and manage their farm as a whole system, reducing reliance on external inputs while improving soil health, animal welfare and long-term resilience.

Whole farm planning looks at how soils, crops, livestock, inputs and people work together across your farm.

These guides support farmers and growers to step back, assess their current system and plan changes that reduce reliance on external inputs while improving resilience, productivity and animal welfare.

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Factsheet

Slugs Factsheet

Updated 01 Jun 2018

Slugs pose a significant problem to all growers in the British Isles due to our warm, wet climate. This factsheet summarises organic strategies for prevention and control.

  • Arable
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Factsheet

Leek Production Factsheet

Updated 01 Jun 2018

Leeks offer the potential of an extensive period of production, harvesting from August until May the following year. This factsheet covers soil and fertility needs, growing systems, also weed, disease and pest control, and prevention, harvesting, and preparing for market.

  • Arable
  • Arable rotations
Download (288.92 KB)
Factsheet

Organic Veal Production Factsheet

Updated 01 Jun 2018

A summary of organic veal production systems, costs and routes to market. Organic veal is produced from male dairy calves unsuitable for beef production.

  • Livestock
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Factsheet

Poultry Litter Management Factsheet

Updated 01 Jun 2018

A guide to addressing challenges of maintaining dry litter for organic poultry systems.

  • Animal welfare
  • Livestock
Download (893.95 KB)
Factsheet

Detailed Epidemiology of Significant Nematodes for Grazing Livestock Factsheet

Updated 01 Aug 2017

A summary of significant nematodes affecting grazing livestock.

  • Livestock
Download (746.99 KB)
Factsheet

Leatherjacket Factsheet

Updated 01 Aug 2017

Leatherjackets can cause considerable damage to roots and stems of many arable and some horticultural crops, particularly young plants. This factsheet summarises symptoms, control and prevention.

  • Arable
Download (529.26 KB)
Factsheet

Grassland Productivity for Livestock Factsheet

Updated 01 Mar 2017

A guide on maintaining grassland productivity and controlling weeds for an organic system.

  • Arable
  • Pasture management
Download (1014.04 KB)
Factsheet

Farm Practices To Help Pollinators Factsheet

Updated 01 Nov 2015

A summary of strategies for encouraging pollinators on farms. Includes information on pesticide use, hay meadow management, hedgerow management, use of field margins and plots, and selecting wild flower mixes.

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Factsheet

Carrot Production Factsheet

Updated 01 Jun 2015

Carrots thrive in deep, loose, well-drained soils, although they can be grown on most soil types. This factsheet covers soil and fertility needs, growing systems, weed, disease and pest control and prevention, harvesting, and storage.

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Factsheet

Protected Cropping - Business Costings Factsheet

Updated 01 Mar 2015

A summary of the key elements of a protected crop business including planning, value, setup and structural maintenance.

  • Arable
Download (832.21 KB)
Factsheet

Protected Cropping - Disease Factsheet

Updated 01 Mar 2015

Prevention of disease is always better than cure and in protected cropping. This factsheet summarises common issues and treatments.

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Factsheet

Protected Cropping - Managing The Environment Factsheet

Updated 01 Mar 2015

Attentive management of soil moisture, atmospheric humidity and temperature are particularly important in organic protected crops. this factsheet covers key measures including irrigation, humidity and temperature control, heating, rainwater harvesting, and pollination.

  • Arable
Download (606.52 KB)