Healthy soils = Healthy profits

Earlier this year dairy farmer Clive Pugh hosted an enthusiastic crowd eager to see his innovative Anaerobic Digester units. Following the success of that event Mr. Pugh will once again open his gates to fellow farmers. On Friday 8th October, there will be an open day on his farm at Churchstoke, near Newtown where you are invited to come and discover how healthy soils can bring healthy farm profits.

Speaking at the event will be Huw Powell of the Grassland Development Centre who will share his expert knowledge of how to improve soil management for greater grass yields. The day will see soil conditioning machinery demonstrations in the field as well as the premier presentation of John Walsh’s research at Bangor University into the use of Anaerobic Digestate as a fertiliser and its benefits to the soils.

Soil represents a major store of world carbon and is therefore important in the fight against climate change. In Wales around 66% of land is permanent grassland much of which is grazed by livestock. As Huw Powell explains ’preserving and building this soil carbon store is important not only for healthy livestock but also for locking up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which will help to protect against future climate change’.

Canolfan Hinsawdd Cymru, the Farming Connect Development Programme for Climate Change is organising the day as one of several on farm events on renewable energy technologies in action and climate change issues that affect agriculture in Wales.