News

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.

Scotland’s leading field event for knowledge exchange in arable farming. Bringing together the key players in arable production, from farmers to distillers and exporters; the event will discuss industry issues and demonstrate innovative and sustainable farming.