Dates & locations

Please click on the location and trainer name links for further details.

Course details

Syllabus
Essentials of good soil management
Code
SW01
Designed for
Individuals who wish to understand the essentials of good soil management and improve their profitability. The principles addressed are relevant across all crops including grass. Discussions will be adapted to the technical issues of most interest to participants.
Entry requirement
Awareness of the subject matter recommended
Dates and locations
7th February 2024, Cambridge
Price
£245 + VAT
Duration: 
One day classroom based course
CPD points
7 BASIS and 6 NRoSO
Author: 
Paul Newell Price, Senior Soil Scientist, ADAS UK Ltd
Content

Classroom module 1 –Introductions; farmer motivations for attending the course

Soil texture, type and water holding capacity

  • Identifying soil type by hand texturing
  • The impact of soil structure on crop production and methods of assessment
  • Visual evaluation of soil structure

Soil compaction

  • An introduction to soil compaction, looking at what soil compaction is, how it is caused and how to measure it.
  • Methods to prevent soil compaction including controlled traffic farming
  • Alleviating compaction

The relationship between soil, water and plants

  • Why good soil structure is important and the impact of soil compaction
  • The need for field drainage systems and secondary mole drainage
  • Role of key agri-environmental policy and legislation (e.g. catchment sensitive farming) in farm systems

Classroom module 2 – Practical soil structural assessment

  • Examining the soil profile in the field (Field pit)
  • Looking at topsoil structure, aggregates, pores and rooting
  • Looking at subsoil for evidence of soil compaction, rooting and drainage
  • Practical assessments – Using VESS, Peerlkamp and VSA in the field

Wrap up session – Discussion on using practical soil structure assessments to inform soil management decisions on-farm

Trainers are accredited by ARTIS

Participants receive an ARTIS Accredited Certificate

Syllabus
“Nathan's enthusiasm is fantastic!” “Excellent venue” “Enjoyed all of it - a good refresher on soil related matters” “Very practical course” “Soil texturing was a good 'hands on' activity”

Delegates from the Soils Foundation course, presented by Nathan Morris

Really good foundation for someone who is new, but also with more detail for other attendees who have more experience.