Essentials of good soil management

Essentials of good soil management SW01 Individuals who wish to understand the essentials of good soil management and improve their profitability. The principles addressed are relevant across all crops including grass. Discussions will be adapted to the technical issues of most interest to participants. An intermediate course best suited to those who are able to demonstrate some practical experience A one day classroom-based course TBC Nathan Morris, Farming Systems and Soils Specialist, Niab

Classroom, module 1 (half day):

Soil texture, type and water holding capacity:
•    Identifying soil type by hand texturing
•    The impact of soil structure on crop production and methods of assessment
•    Visual evaluation of soil structure

Soil compaction:
•    An introduction to soil compaction, looking at what soil compaction is, how it is caused and how to measure it.
•    Methods to prevent soil compaction including controlled traffic farming
•    Alleviating compaction

The relationship between soil, water and plants:
•    Why good soil structure is important and the impact of soil compaction
•    The need for field drainage systems and secondary mole drainage
Role of key agri-environmental policy and legislation (e.g. catchment sensitive farming) in farm systems

Field, module 2 (half day):

Practical soil structural assessment:
•    Examining the soil profile in the field (Field pit)
•    Looking at topsoil structure, aggregates, pores and rooting
•    Looking at subsoil for evidence of soil compaction, rooting and drainage
•    Practical assessments – Using VESS, Peerlkamp and VSA in the field

Wrap up session:
•  Discussion on using practical soil structure assessments to inform soil management decisions on-farm

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

•    Investigate, describe and interpret soil structural conditions in arable and grassland situations
•    Use hand texturing to determine soil textures and understand the management opportunities and limitations associated with different soils
•    Relate the degree and depth of compaction in an individual field to key contributing factors
•    Assess the impact of compaction on soil structure, management and drainage
•    Take practical measures to alleviate soil structural issues
•    Use knowledge of the relationship between the soil, water and the crop to manage water use efficiency in the crop
•    Assess the need for drainage and maintenance for different soil types and cropping situations