Skip to main content

You are here

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:

Filter by format type:

Filter by key farming practices:

More filters

Filter by organisation:

Filter by evidence:

Displaying 361 - 390 of 471

Trees, water and farming - improving water quality

resource Woodland Trust A short video highlighting how trees have been used in the uplands of Cumbria to manage water drainage and quality and prevent soil erosion.

Agroforestry, Natural resources & waste, People & skills
Cattle foot care

resource Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) Prevention is better than cure! This podcast provides some insights into helping you spot the first signs of lameness.

People & skills, Animal health & welfare, Dairy cattle
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
What could farmers do to rely less on neonicotinoids?

resource Pesticide Action Network UK Ways in which farmers and growers can reduce neonicotinoid use and employ pest control alternatives.

People & skills, Pests & diseases
Managing phosphorus dynamics in organic rotations

resource Institute of Organic Training & Advice (IOTA) Practical recommendations for improving soil phosphate (P) availability for your crops; maintaining levels and maximising on P inputs.

Organic farming, Type, texture & structure, Compaction & cultivation, Drainage, Rotations, Organic matter, Soil biology, Roots & horticulture, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management
Getting to the Root of Rhizobia to Improve Agricultural Yields

resource The Naked Scientists (University of Cambridge) A podcast focusing on the role of nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria rhizobia in improving legume crop yields and specific research into lucerne.

Type, texture & structure, Crop nutrition & fertility building
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
Sustainability toolkit for organic businesses

resource Organic Centre Wales & Weir Total Supply Chain Sustainability A guide designed to help you improve the profitability, sustainability and environmental performance of your business.

Business management, Markets & food systems, Communities & education
Novel vegetables: Observations on growing a range of tropical crops

resource Duchy College / Farm Cornwall Interested in diversifying? Perhaps growing some tropical crops? This report provides some useful insights from some trials run in West Cornwall.

Weeds, Pests & diseases, Roots & horticulture, Markets & food systems
Lucerne - an alternative forage crop

resource Farming Connect A summary of the benefits and limitations of lucerne as a forage crop and a fertility building legume including guidance on establishment, crop growth, cutting...

Animal health & welfare, Grasslands & forage crops
Simply Sustainable Soils

resource Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) LEAF’s soil assessment tool to help you improve the soil on your farm and long-term sustainability of your land using ‘Six Simple Steps.’

People & skills, Type, texture & structure
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
Natural Poultry Health

resource RIKILT - Institute for Food Safety Wageningen University and Research Centre & Institute for Ethnobotany and Zoopharmacognosy (IEZ) Interested in guidance on keeping your flock healthy with herbs and other natural products? This useful guide has a range of tips and recommendations.

Animal health & welfare, Poultry, People & skills
Illustrated guide to water courses beside grassland

resource Natural England Practical guidance to help you manage watercourses and livestock in ways that will cause the least harm to water quality and wildlife.

Drainage, Natural resources & waste
Illustrated guide to hedgerow network restoration

resource Natural England A quick reference guide from Natural England promoting best practice in hedgerow restoration to help you reap the benefits on your farm.

Agroforestry, Natural resources & waste, People & skills
Traditional orchards: Wildlife

resource Natural England Traditional orchards are a haven for wildlife - simple management techniques can help increase populations of rare and priority species.

Agroforestry, Roots & horticulture, People & skills
Traditional orchards: maintenance pruning

resource Natural England This information note provides guidance on the reasons for the routine pruning of fruit trees and advice on the different methods used.

Agroforestry, Roots & horticulture, People & skills
A Guide to Nutrient Budgeting on Organic Farms

resource SAC & Newcastle University Everything you may need to know about basic nutrient budgeting and valuable insights into how using them can benefit your farm.

Type, texture & structure, Rotations, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Regulations, standards & policy, Business management, Markets & food systems, People & skills
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
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
Organic Farming Practices

resource The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation Ways in which you can adjust your organic farm management practices to minimise harm to pollinators and insects that manage pests.

Organic farming, Compaction & cultivation, Rotations, Weeds, Pests & diseases, Pollinators & ecological services
Organic Beef and Sheep Nutrition

resource Institute of Organic Training & Advice (IOTA) An excellent review of beef and sheep nutritional research, providing practical recommendations for pasture-based livestock producers.

Animal health & welfare, Beef cattle & sheep
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
Soil Analysis and Management

resource Institute of Organic Training & Advice (IOTA) Improving and managing soil fertility in organic farming systems though soil analysis; what you need to know and how you can do it.

Type, texture & structure, Compaction & cultivation, Drainage, Rotations, Organic matter, Soil biology, Pests & diseases, Crop nutrition & fertility building
Seed sources for grassland restoration

resource Natural England This note is one of a series providing information on grassland restoration and re-creation.

Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity, Regulations, standards & policy
Beneficials on farmland

resource Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust & ADAS A guide to insects that pollinate crops, control pests and help maintain soil fertility, and what you can do to encourage them on your farm.

Agroforestry, Weeds, Pests & diseases, Regulations, standards & policy, Pollinators & ecological services
Common chickweed

resource Garden Organic Detailed information from Garden Organic on the occurrence, biology, persistence and spread of chickweed, with guidance to help you manage it more effectively.

Compaction & cultivation, Weeds
Crop Protection in Reduced Tillage Systems

resource Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Pest, weed and disease management in reduced tillage cropping systems; factors to consider and actions you can take.

Compaction & cultivation, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses
Welfare and environmental impact of organic pig production

resource FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL handbook aiming to create a common toolbox of knowledge-based strategies for organic pig producers and presents best practice examples from across Europe for inspiration.

Organic farming, Animal health & welfare, Pigs, People & skills

Pages