For generations farmers have appreciated the value of effective field drainage - to remove excess water from the land, for crop productivity and for farm business profitability. However, there are also myriad environmental benefits to be expected from well-drained agricultural soils relating to reduced surface run-off and erosion, improved soil health and structure and reduced compaction and waterlogging. And yet, many of the field drainage schemes installed until the cessation of government grant-aid in the mid-1980s are now beyond their service lives, and limited new drainage is being undertaken today.
The Allerton Project, alongside industry partners, has undertaken a groundbreaking new field drainage trial to establish how a modern field drainage system impacts a range of environmental outcomes, as well as crop productivity and integrated pest management. Attend our kick-off demonstration event and hear from:
- Joe Stanley (Allerton Project) - Introduction to the project
- Peter Brown (Catchment Sensitive Farming) - Soil & Water management priorities & available funding
- Henry Lowth (AHDB) - AHDB’s Strategic Cereal Farm North & field drainage
- Rob Burtonshaw (Farm Services) - Factors to consider in a drainage install
- Dr Jenny Bussell (Allerton Project) - What are we measuring and why?
Please arrive at the Allerton Project Visitor Centre at 9.00am for bacon baps and coffee. The first presentation will commence at 09.30am.
Address: The Allerton Project, Visitor Centre, Loddington, Leicestershire, LE7 9XE.
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Basis points for this event are available.
With thanks to our project partners: Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB), Anglian Water, Farm Services Ltd, GW Axup & Co Ltd, Mastenbroek Ltd. National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC), Syngenta.
