News

Blog by David Webster, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

In the last 30 years, there has been a massive shift in understanding the links between farming and the environment. It has also become abundantly clear over this period that there are significant challenges, which not only have a consequence in terms of environmental decline, but which are now placing a direct threat over farming systems and the commercial operation of farming businesses.

Blog by Alison Karley, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK Staying on top of the latest farming innovations is a tough task – the farming calendar is busy enough without trying to find time to check the latest updates on your social media feeds, read the farming journal that just slapped onto your doormat, take part in any number of online webinars and seminars, or extract useful snippets from ad hoc conversations with neighbours and colleagues. Where to start? Well, you could try coming along to Balruddery Farm on Tuesday 2nd July, where we have done the work for you – bringing together the latest research and industry developments for you to see, test hands-on, and discuss the pros and cons with professionals and colleagues across the sector.

The James Hutton Institute (the Hutton) and AHDB (the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) is welcoming those with an interest in the arable sector back to Balruddery Farm in Dundee on 2 July 2024 for the sixth annual Arable Scotland event. This year’s theme of ‘Arable farming in a new era’, will allow attendees to dive into innovative practices for sustainable and resilient farming.

Blog by Shanzay Qamar, PhD student and Arable Scotland Ambassador Farming is a multifaceted and multi-level activity, with climate playing a critical role in the success and sustainability of arable farming. A key element of effective agriculture is the quality of the soil, which must possess physical, biological and chemical capabilities to be defined as healthy, critical in being able to adapt to climate change. The target for agricultural soils is that they are resilient, able to cope with external stresses, and are managed to be adaptable to the current and future challenges associated with climate change.

Blog by Alison Karley (Arable Scotland Committee Chair) After a winter of unceasing heavy rains, and many farmers struggling to get into the field for spring sowing or to re-sow damaged autumn crops, it’s been a difficult start to the 2024 growing season. Agriculture is already having to cope with climatic shifts, while at the same time trying to reduce its environmental impact, reduce its contributions to further climate change, and still turn a profit. What does this mean for the arable sector – how is it adapting? And what will increase farm resilience to these conditions? These are the questions that will be tackled in this year’s Arable Scotland event, on Tuesday 2nd July at the James Hutton Institute’s Balruddery Farm, near Dundee.