AFTER TWO years of conducting their meetings on zoom, NFU Scotland’s Lothian and Borders regional arable group did not miss the chance to meet up in person when Neil White at Greenknowe farm, Duns in Berwickshire, hosted a 'real' farm visit.

With covid restrictions relaxed and farmers finished spring work, over sixty union members took the opportunity to find out how Mr White switched to strip-till practices for direct drilling crops and cover crops into the soil using a Mzuri Protil.

The host informed the group that he is still discovering and finding out what can be done for best results but shared his findings from the last few years. To date he has found that he has increased the organic matter in his soils by around a fifth – from 3.3% to almost 4% – along with a noticeable improvement in the workability, water and machine carrying capacity of the land.

Mr White said: “When I started, I used the Mzuri Protil on 20% of my land and the remaining 80% was conventional tillage. Over the years, I have learnt a great deal and gained confidence and now it is entirely the other way around; in fact, nearer 90% direct drilled with the Mzuri and 10% ploughed before planting.

“Given the recent hike in fertiliser prices, the machine’s ability to place fertiliser directly beside the crop is a great advantage, not only to the crop, but also to my bottom line.”

The other very noticeable difference that Neil has seen is the abundance of earthworms in his soil. During the visit, the technique sparked a lively discussion, followed by a walk of the crops which looked in very good shape.

The next Lothian and Borders members’ arable meeting will be held on Thursday June 2, at Mertoun Estate, Ploughlands Farm, St Boswells, when Jack Parsons the manager will give us an overview of operations.

That meeting will also hear from Dr Keith Dawson, director of the Central Plains Group, Ukraine. Mr Dawson will be sharing his thoughts on the outcome and impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There will also be a collection for those affected by the war.

Farmers looking to attend the June event are asked to contact Jac Neill at the NFUS St Boswells office on 01835 822274 with their union membership number.