Resources
Browse our library of the best technical guides, research papers and videos on sustainable agriculture below. You can also filter by topic.
Filter by farming theme:
- Environment & wildlife (22) Apply Environment & wildlife filter
- Soil management (18) Apply Soil management filter
- Livestock husbandry (13) Apply Livestock husbandry filter
- Agroecological approaches (11) Apply Agroecological approaches filter
- Weeds, pests and diseases (4) Apply Weeds, pests and diseases filter
Filter by format type:
Filter by key farming practices:
- Soil monitoring (12) Apply Soil monitoring filter
- Habitat creation (8) Apply Habitat creation filter
- Agroforestry (7) Apply Agroforestry filter
- Diverse leys (6) Apply Diverse leys filter
- Minimum Tillage (6) Apply Minimum Tillage filter
- Organic fertilisers (6) Apply Organic fertilisers filter
- Diversified rotation (5) Apply Diversified rotation filter
- Mixed farming (5) Apply Mixed farming filter
- Cover crops (4) Apply Cover crops filter
- Leys (4) Apply Leys filter
More filters
Filter by organisation:
- ORC / GWCT / LEAF / OF&G / Soil Association / SRUC / Agricology - as part of Defra Project OF03111 Organic Management Techniques (2) Apply ORC / GWCT / LEAF / OF&G / Soil Association / SRUC / Agricology - as part of Defra Project OF03111 Organic Management Techniques filter
- Organic Growers Alliance (OGA) (2) Apply Organic Growers Alliance (OGA) filter
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) - University of Oxford (2) Apply Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) - University of Oxford filter
- Woodland Trust (2) Apply Woodland Trust filter
- Agricology (1) Apply Agricology filter
- Best Foot Forward sustainability consultants (1) Apply Best Foot Forward sustainability consultants filter
- Buglife (1) Apply Buglife filter
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (1) Apply Centre for Ecology & Hydrology filter
- Duchy College & Rothamsted Research (1) Apply Duchy College & Rothamsted Research filter
- Farmerama (1) Apply Farmerama filter
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33
-
DIY peat-free growing media
resource Organic Growers Alliance (OGA) Time is running out on peat and growers need alternatives for growing media, but buying in can be expensive and not always as reliable as...Organic farming, Biodynamic farming, Roots & horticulture, Natural resources & waste, People & skills -
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Farm Level The Go-To Guide
resource Produced by Innovation for Agriculture in association with Eunomia Research and Consulting on behalf of the WWF/Tesco partnership Practical, easy-to-use guidance to help farmers reduce their greenhouse gas footprint. Offering actions for all UK agricultural sectors, it aims to be both environmentally and...Compaction & cultivation, Organic matter, Animal health & welfare, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management, Buildings & machinery, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Biodiversity, Climate -
How can agroforestry contribute towards biodiversity conservation?
resource Recording of a workshop hosted by the Organic Research Centre online that set out to explore how agroforestry could contribute towards the conservation and restoration...Agroforestry, Organic matter, Animal health & welfare, Grasslands & forage crops, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Natural resources & waste, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity -
Organic Amendments
resource Organic Growers Alliance (OGA) Video footage of a session that formed part of the Organic Growers Alliance's Organic Matters conference held in October 2021. It focuses on improving soil...Type, texture & structure, Compaction & cultivation, Organic matter, Soil biology, Weeds, Roots & horticulture, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Climate -
Woodmeadows - Three Hagges case study
resource Agricology Document created as part of an agroforestry case study of Three Hagges Woodmeadow - exploring the practicalities and benefits of combining woodland and meadows.Agroforestry, Grasslands & forage crops, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity, Communities & education -
Healthy Farm Systems - John Pawsey
resource John Pawsey gives some insights into the principles of how he achieves health on his mixed organic farm in East Anglia, following his participation in...Soil biology, Weeds, Pests & diseases, Animal health & welfare, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management, Markets & food systems, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity, Climate, Nutrition & public health, Communities & education -
CFE Virtual Workshop - Water, Soils, Wildlife & Profit
resource Recording of an online workshop organised by CFE on water, soils, wildlife, and on-farm profit and featuring Phil Jarvis, Farm Manager at the GWCT Allerton...Compaction & cultivation, Rotations, Organic matter, Beef cattle & sheep, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Natural resources & waste, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity -
Getting Started with Agroecological Farming
resource There is increasing recognition of the benefits of integrated agroecological farming systems but it can be hard to know where to start. In this podcast,...Agroforestry, Animal health & welfare, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management, Markets & food systems, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Biodiversity -
Good agricultural practice in irrigation management
resource Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) This FiBL guide will help farmers, growers and agricultural consultants improve irrigation practices and manage water sustainably.Type, texture & structure, Compaction & cultivation, Drainage, Organic matter, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services, Climate -
Less is more: Improving profitability and the natural environment in hill and other marginal farming systems
resource Less is more on upland farms: decreasing livestock stocking rates to sustainable levels increases a farm’s profitability and improves the natural environment.Beef cattle & sheep, Grasslands & forage crops, Business management, Natural resources & waste -
Improving water quality on the River Wensum
resource Norfolk Rivers Trust A case study describing the process of installing silt traps to capture soil and water run-off on a farm near the Blackwater, Norfolk, and the...Type, texture & structure, Compaction & cultivation, Drainage, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Natural resources & waste, Pollinators & ecological services -
Agroecology in Action
resource Landworkers' Alliance This publication from the Landworkers' Alliance highlights what pioneers of agroecology in the UK are doing to create a productive and sustainable agriculture. The case...Integrated farming, Conservation agriculture, Organic farming, Biodynamic farming, Agroforestry, Permaculture, Rotations, Organic matter, Soil biology, Animal health & welfare, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Roots & horticulture, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management, Markets & food systems, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity, Climate, Communities & education -
Use of green waste compost
resource ORC / GWCT / LEAF / OF&G / Soil Association / SRUC / Agricology - as part of Defra Project OF03111 Organic Management Techniques Using green waste compost to help manage reductions in soil organic matter in arable soils; reducing fertiliser use, improving soil health, and reducing landfillType, texture & structure, Compaction & cultivation, Drainage, Organic matter, Soil biology, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Regulations, standards & policy, Buildings & machinery, Natural resources & waste -
Feeding livestock on pasture-based diets
resource ORC / GWCT / LEAF / OF&G / Soil Association / SRUC / Agricology - as part of Defra Project OF03111 Organic Management Techniques This resource looks at the practicalities of introducing pasture-fed livestock systems, the benefits and draw-backs of adoption with case studies and linksRotations, Animal health & welfare, Dairy cattle, Beef cattle & sheep, Pigs, Poultry, Grasslands & forage crops, Natural resources & waste, Biodiversity -
Livestock on diverse leys: a return to the past for a promising future
resource Organic Research Centre ORC Bulletin article reporting on farmers that have been combining diverse leys with livestock and some of the pros and cons of this practice revealed...Drainage, Rotations, Organic matter, Weeds, Animal health & welfare, Grasslands & forage crops, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services -
Mixing it up: ORFC 2018 insights
resource Farmerama Farmerama podcast presenting some interesting reflections from ORFC 2018; including the benefits of making sainfoin an essential part of your ley farming system.Grasslands & forage crops, Markets & food systems, Natural resources & waste -
Soil Saviours
resource The Oxford Farming Conference A short must-watch video highlighting the importance of protecting and enhancing our topsoil and featuring a couple of inspirational farmers.Natural resources & waste, Compaction & cultivation, Organic matter, Soil biology, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Biodiversity, Climate -
Digestate and compost in agriculture
resource WRAP Anaerobic digestate and compost as sources of plant nutrients and organic matter; research findings and guidance on practical application.Crop nutrition & fertility building, Natural resources & waste -
Habitat Creation and Management for Pollinators
resource Centre for Ecology & Hydrology A fantastic guide from the CEH providing detailed information to help you manage and protect our most valuable pollinators on your farmland.Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Roots & horticulture, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity, Natural resources & waste, People & skills -
Tried & Tested Professional Nutrient Management
resource Tried & Tested - AIC / NFU / CLA / LEAF and British Grassland Society partnership Tools to help you improve your nutrient and manure and livestock feed planning and recording, and meet regulatory requirements.Organic matter, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Natural resources & waste -
The role of trees in arable farming
resource Woodland Trust This practical guide looks at the role of UK native trees and hedges in arable farming.Agroforestry, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Natural resources & waste, Pollinators & ecological services -
The Farm Crap App Pro
resource Duchy College & Rothamsted Research Duchy College and Rothamsted Research’s mobile manure management app; find out how you can use it and access the app from this webpage.Organic matter, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Natural resources & waste -
Peat-free woodchip compost for growing media
resource Soil Association / Organic Research Centre / Duchy Originals from Waitrose Interesting insights from a trial evaluating the use of woodchip compost as a viable peat-free growing media for growers.Agroforestry, Natural resources & waste, Crop nutrition & fertility building -
Trees in Orchards
resource Best Foot Forward sustainability consultants An in-depth evaluation of the use of non-cropping trees in orchard fruit production, the potential benefits and conflicting issues.Agroforestry, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Roots & horticulture, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity -
Managing the drought
resource Harper Adams University College Don’t waste a drop. Belts of native trees can act as an insurance policy against droughts by modifying the crop microclimate.Agroforestry, Type, texture & structure, Drainage, Animal health & welfare, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Natural resources & waste, Climate -
Sward enhancement: diversifying grassland by spreading species-rich green hay
resource Natural England Practical guidance to help you assess suitability of using green hay as a sward enhancement method and best management techniques to apply.Grasslands & forage crops, Natural resources & waste -
Compost: The Effect on Nutrients, Soil Health and Crop Production
resource Institute of Organic Training & Advice (IOTA) Practical guidance to inform your use and management of compost, using it to its full potential to improve soil properties and crop yields.Rotations, Organic matter, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Regulations, standards & policy, Natural resources & waste -
Towards farmer principles of health
resource Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research Germany & Humboldt University Berlin & University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Austria Ten statements / principles farmers have developed that make them successful in developing healthy farming systems, as part of the HealthNetworks Project, and used as...Compaction & cultivation, Organic matter, Soil biology, Weeds, Pests & diseases, Animal health & welfare, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management, Markets & food systems, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity, Climate, Nutrition & public health, Communities & education -
Farmland bird conservation
resource Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) - University of Oxford How to help provide the “big three” for farmland birds: safe nesting habitat, summer food and winter food.Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Pollinators & ecological services, Natural resources & waste, People & skills -
Biodiversity in crops and grassland
resource Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) - University of Oxford Practical information on encouraging biodiversity in productive fields.Other species, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Natural resources & waste, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity