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Farmers Get Down to Earth at Torr Farm

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N107
Published: 15 Sep 2011

Ploughed field showing soil (opens in new window)

Farmers grow things, everyone knows that, so it is important they know their soil and its condition.

At an event at Auchencairn, organised on 29th September by SAC (Scottish Agricultural College), experts will offer farmers guidance on how to assess their soils and deal with problems. If, as the saying goes, the farmer’s boot is the best fertiliser then a spade can be their key analytical tool.

So SAC Soil Specialist Bruce Ball will show farmers how, by digging a hole, they can visually assess their soils for problem signs. There can be a wide range of problems caused by poor soil structure or compaction and, if unchecked, they can have a significant impact on crop growth and productivity, including reduced uptake of expensive fertilisers.

Host farmers Ross and Lee Paton at Torr and William Lindsay of Culnaughtrie are willing to put their soils under the spotlight, including discussion on minimum tillage where  ploughing is avoided. There will be machinery in action. SAC are also inviting farmers coming to the  event to bring samples of their own problem soils for evaluation. Just dig out a slice of soil to spade depth (about 6 inches thick), put it on a tray or stiff board and in a thick poly bag to keep it intact.

The meeting, funded by the Scottish Governments Farming for a Better Climate Initiative, is free, with lunch provided at the Old Smugglers Inn, Auchencairn.

Farmers wishing to attend should contact Sandra MacRae in SAC’s Dumfries Office on 01387 261172 or Sandra.macrae@sac.co.uk.

Further information

Take a look at the event details via the link on the right of this page.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Mrs Sandra Macrae
Administrator
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Farm Business Services, 1St Floor, Heston House, Crichton Estate,
Dumfries
DG1 4TA
TelWork 01387 261172
Fax 01387 251789

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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