IMPROVING SOIL quality is a key issue for growers across the country, with the focus now on the effectiveness of adding organic matter in the form of compost and digestate.

Two free events later this month will offer Scottish farmers advice on the health of their soils, and assess both methods of improvement and how best to measure whether they have been successful.

The first is a meeting of the Fife Field Trials Growers’ Group on June 28, to review the ongoing trial being run at Balbirnie Estates. That project is aiming to determine whether green compost, when ploughed in with or without straw has an impact on soil or crop health.

Growers will have an opportunity to visit the spring barley and compost trial alongside a demonstration of some of the assessment techniques being adopted to measure soil health. These include a soil compaction probe, soil profile assessment – including textural and structural analysis – earth worm counts, bait lamina sticks and soil respiration testing.

Then on June 29, Moray Coast Veg Growers will host a Digestates Field Lab which will focus on whether there are changes in soil health following repeated application of liquid digestate made from farm-produced energy crops.

Growers who attend will explore the preliminary results of the soil health testing, join expert speakers on a field walk to review the digestate trials, and learn how to maximise the financial value of digestates and minimise the risk of damage to soil health.

GREATsoils – Growing Resilient, Efficient and Thriving Soils – is a programme funded by AHDB Horticulture to inspire and support growers to assess and manage the health of their soils. AHDB knowledge exchange manager Grace Choto said: “The GREATsoils programme is informing on and demonstrating the value of healthy soils to businesses; through reduced input costs from fertilisers and irrigation use, to increased yields from healthier crops.”

The Fife event kicks off at Lomond Hills Hotel, High Street, Freuchie, Cupar, Fife, KY15 7EY, and runs from 10am – 1.30pm on June 28. The Moray field lab will be held at Morayston Farm, Dalcross, Inverness, IV2 7JQ from 10am – 1.30pm on June 29. For more information or to register, visit horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/GREATsoils.