Agricology Blog

We’re all set for another year at Groundswell and very excited to be hosting the Agricology Discussion Tent this summer. We have a strong line-up of informal sessions across both days, sharing knowledge and innovative insights into agroecology in practice from farmers and researchers. Come and find us in the Discussion Tent and be part […]

In the UK, there are around 60 species of dung beetle. By going about their daily business, dung beetles provide an array of ecosystem services and it has been estimated that they save the UK cattle industry £367 million per annum1. How? Let’s delve deeper! Dung is an important source of nutrients. For these to […]

Take a more regenerative farming approach and start monitoring your soil health. Do you accept the Spring Soil Test Challenge? Soilmentor challenge you to do 3 simple soil tests in your fields this spring! Use these tests to understand how healthy your soil is and how well it will support healthy plants and livestock. Knowing your soil is […]

In this months Agricology vlog, Jez Taylor (Head Grower at Daylesford Organic) discusses how he manages slugs in an organic system, including understanding their life cycle, their habitat preferences, and how to plant and grow to avoid slug attacks.

In this month’s Agricology vlog, Phil Jarvis, Farm Manger for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust at the Allerton Project, gives an introduction to what agroecology is and what practices they employ at the Allerton Project. The vlog is in two parts. In this part Phil discusses: – Stock & Stockless Systems – Agroforestry – […]

Have you ever wondered about the activities of the humble grey field slug when it disappears below the soil surface? No? Understandable, but in fact this sort of information could be key to combatting this troublesome pest. Slugs are one of the most destructive agricultural and horticultural pests out there, capable of causing an estimated […]

Earthworms have been in the news recently, with new data confirming that earthworm numbers are low in UK arable soils due to intensive ploughing, repeated soil disturbance and low soil organic matter. Earthworms are important soil organisms: their burrowing and feeding activities allow water to percolate through soil; they breakdown organic matter, releasing nutrients for […]

What is agroecology? Agroecology involves understanding ecological processes and applying these concepts to the design and management of agricultural production systems. “Agroecology is concerned with the maintenance of a productive agriculture that sustains yields and optimizes the use of local resources while minimizing the negative environmental and socio-economic impacts” (Miguel Altieri).  In this month’s Agricology vlog, […]

World Worm Week is the 23rd to the 31st of March and in this short video soil scientist Dr. Jackie Stroud from Rothamsted Research explains why it is important to get involved and covers basic guidelines to identifying common earthworms.

On February 26th, CFE were pleased to host representatives of our partners and supporters and member of the farming and conservation communities to mark its relaunch, 10 years after inception, as Championing the Farmed Environment. The event, held at the Farmers & Fletchers in the City venue, included presentations by a panel formed of speakers […]

Head Stockman for Daylesford Farm, Phil Gordon-Jones talks us through the benefits of finishing his beef cattle on home grown forage and we join him as he weighs them to send off to abattoir. *Apologies for the loss of sound mid way through the film*

The University of Reading, in collaboration with Harper Adams University, is running a project aiming at investigating the potential to reduce phosphorus losses from dairy farms, with consequent benefits for the environment and reduction of feeding costs. This project is a PhD studentship funded by AHDB Dairy. Phosphorus (P) loss is an important environmental issue; […]