New event targets soil, water & precision management

As input costs soar and with a depleted body of professional soil and water management specialists to fall back on, a timely new technical event in spring aims to help farmers meet the challenges of increasing output, while reducing financial and environmental costs.

Organised by the Centre for Contemporary Agriculture, the Soil, Water and Precision Management event will be held at Easton College, Norwich, on Thursday, 15 March.

"Whether driven by concern for profit or the environment, saving resources is at the forefront of most farmers’ minds," says David Lawrence, Principal of Easton College. "Highly practical, this new event will deliver up to date, relevant and in some cases innovative ideas farmers can put in to practice immediately to help improve yields and efficiency and to invest wisely to reduce running costs."

As well as shell schemes in the main marquee, exhibitors have the option to take space in an outdoor exhibition area − ideal for static farm machinery − as well as a field demonstration area for working equipment to show cultivation, precision farming and irrigation equipment in action.

A programme of informative and practical technical sessions will run throughout the day. Topical subject areas including water efficiency, selecting the right irrigation equipment, cultivation systems and soil amendment strategies, as well as controlled traffic farming systems – aimed at improving the business bottom line while protecting soil structure from mechanical compaction.

The programme is led by recognised experts from among others the School of Applied Science at Cranfield University, the Environment Agency, NIAB-TAG and Cambridge University Farm.

"We want delegates to leave this event with clear ideas on how to check and improve their field management in order to ensure sustainability and prevent environmental damage," says David Lawrence.