With growers in parts of the country bracing themselves for drought conditions, April turned out to be the wettest on record. From Scotland to the south-west planting was a stop-start affair but Strutt & Parker Farms, Great Livermere, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, got this crop in ahead just of the rains. Gary Naylor Photography
Soil-for-Life was launched by Produce World in 2010. The project is described as a ‘knowledge transfer partnership’ and is part of a government-backed scheme designed to bring together commercial interests with appropriate research institutions. The link between the two is a ‘KTP associate’ who is usually a recent graduate looking to develop career skills and training. Projects run for 18 months to three years with 50% industry backing and the balance from public research bodies.
Soil-for-Life was initiated by research agronomist Emma Garrett and technical director Simon Bowen. ‘At Produce World agronomy is a group-wide initiative looking at four key areas: improving crop quality, reducing reliance on inputs, better use of water resources and soil health,’ explains project officer Guy Thallon. ‘Emma’s background was in pests and pesticides and she recognised that one of the areas the company needed to focus on was soils and sustainability which had been under-resourced.’
‘The idea is to develop a soil information and risk management system which addresses a real need among our growers for a better understanding of the land they farm. Many have taken on larger areas while, at the same time, the age profile of the industry is changing and detailed knowledge of fields is being lost. For Produce World, a better picture of where we are growing potatoes, onions and brassicas, how soils relate to crop quality, and the risk of degradation, are really critical areas.
