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Browse our library of the best technical guides, research papers and videos on sustainable agriculture below. You can also filter by topic.

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Displaying 61 - 90 of 100

Farming wheat without neonicotinoids

resource Friends of the Earth A useful report drawing on research and farmer case studies that reviews non-chemical methods of pest control on wheat.

Agroforestry, People & skills, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Pests & diseases, Pollinators & ecological services
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
Farming Oilseed Rape without Neonicotinoids

resource Friends of the Earth With pesticides increasingly linked to harm to bees this report examines current ways of growing oilseed rape without neonicotinoids.

Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Pollinators & ecological services
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
Wildlife-friendly farming increases crop yield: evidence for ecological intensification

resource NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology & Wildlife Farming Company Research that looked at the effects of creating wildlife-friendly habitats in less productive areas of fields on a conventional arable farm.

Pests & diseases, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity
Beetles you can bank on

resource Organic Growers Alliance (OGA) An organic grower’s practical tips and insight into the creation, maintenance and benefits of beetle banks.

Pests & diseases, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity
Diverse legume leys: pollinator benefits

resource Organic Research Centre The important role of legumes as a food resource for pollinators and species that can help provide the forage reserves throughout the year.

Organic matter, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Roots & horticulture, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity
Managing hedges to benefit pollinators

resource Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) / Hedgelink Practical steps you can take to ensure hedges on your farm support pollinator populations and improve the pollination of your crops.

Regulations, standards & policy, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Roots & horticulture, Pests & diseases, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity
Sowing and Management of Multi-species Leys to Encourage Pollinators

resource Institute of Organic Training & Advice (IOTA) Guidance on selecting species and managing leys to benefit pollinators, linking to the LegLink project and Countryside Stewardship options.

Organic matter, Grasslands & forage crops, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Regulations, standards & policy, Markets & food systems, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity
Launch of ORC Wakelyns Population

resource Organic Research Centre Footage of the launch of the new ORC wheat population - explaining how it was developed and potential benefits.

Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Climate, Nutrition & public health
Riparian buffer strips

resource SRUC Rural Policy Centre A briefing on Scottish research that includes pointers towards beneficial management practices you can carry out on your farm.

Agroforestry, Grasslands & forage crops, Pollinators & ecological services
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
Managing farmland for pollinators

resource Farming Connect Simple steps that farmers can take to halt the decline of bees and other insect pollinators in Wales, relevant to the British Isles.

Pests & diseases, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Markets & food systems, Pollinators & ecological services
Functional biodiversity to improve pest control

resource Interesting research that focused on identifying appropriate plants within flowering strips and companion cropping to help control apple and cabbage pests.

People & skills, Roots & horticulture, Pests & diseases, Biodiversity
Effects of cutting regime, surroundings & field age on floral resources for pollinators in hay fields

resource Dept. of Bioscience - Aarhus University Research findings providing insights into management of hay fields that may help increase plant and insect diversity.

Grasslands & forage crops, Pollinators & ecological services
Honeybee shortage for crop pollination

resource Centre for Agri-Environmental Research (CAER) University of Reading This BBSRC-funded video provides important messages to help us target pollinators that will benefit UK crops and help ensure food security.

Roots & horticulture, Markets & food systems, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity
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 soil biota to deliver ecosystem services: Summary document

resource Newcastle University Research identifying ways your farming practices can enhance the diversity, abundance and function of soil organisms.

Type, texture & structure, Compaction & cultivation, Drainage, Rotations, Organic matter, Soil biology, Crop nutrition & fertility building, 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
Management for bumblebees

resource Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) Bumblebees in the UK; their importance, their requirements, and how farmers can help bring back the bumblebee.

Agroforestry, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Pollinators & ecological services
Sward enhancement: choice of methods

resource Natural England Practical tips on ways of increasing the diversity of wild flowers in your swards, with guidance on selecting the right method.

Grasslands & forage crops, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity
Arable reversion to species-rich grassland: Site selection and choice of methods

resource Natural England One of a series of Technical Information Notes providing information on arable reversion

Grasslands & forage crops, Pollinators & ecological services
PFLA Biodiversity case studies

resource A series of Pasture-Fed Livestock Association (PFLA) case studies which focus on various ways in which farmers are increasing biodiversity on their farm.

Animal health & welfare, Dairy cattle, Beef cattle & sheep, Grasslands & forage crops, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity, Climate
Silage sorghum, an alternative to silage maize

resource Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) & Wageningen University & Research (WUR) Some practical recommendations for producing silage sorghum based on research carried out as part of the DiverIMPACTS project.

Compaction & cultivation, Weeds, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, People & skills, Climate
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
Reduced tillage trials aim to improve soil sustainability

resource University of East Anglia / Wensum Alliance Interesting results from a 5-year reduced cultivation trial that took place at the Salle Park Estate, Norfolk, to assess the impact of contrasting tillage regimes...

Type, texture & structure, Compaction & cultivation, Drainage, Organic matter, Soil biology, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Buildings & machinery, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services
Cover crops help to reduce diffuse water pollution

resource University of East Anglia / Wensum Alliance An update from research undertaken as part of the Demonstration Test Catchments research platform established to investigate the extent by which on-farm mitigation measures can...

Compaction & cultivation, Drainage, Organic matter, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services
Perennial flower strips for pest control in fruit orchards

resource Organic Growers Alliance (OGA) This article, adapted from a technical guide published as part of the EcoOrchard project, looks at advantages of sown flower strips, management considerations, costs, and...

Weeds, Pests & diseases, Roots & horticulture, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity
Transition to agroecological approaches

resource Scottish Natural Heritage / GWCT / ORC / Land Use Policy Group A case study focusing on Douglas Christie, a farmer in Scotland, who has been experimenting with direct drilling and growing cover and companion crops in...

Organic matter, Soil biology, Beef cattle & sheep, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Business management, People & skills, Biodiversity
The effects of reduced tillage practices and organic material additions on the carbon content of arable soils

resource Rothamsted Research / ADAS A report summaring results from a review which looks at the extent by which reduced tillage practices and organic material returns could increase the organic...

Compaction & cultivation, Drainage, Organic matter, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Climate

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