NEW FARMING SYSTEMS...New Farming Systems Evaluating cultivation approaches This study is undertaken...
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NEW FARMING SYSTEMS Evaluating cultivation approaches The New Farming Systems (NFS) project is a series of experiments and system demonstrations. The project aims to explore ways of improving the sustainability, stability and output of conventional arable farming systems. The research is being undertaken on a sandy loam soil at Morley in Norfolk Project overview The NFS evaluating cultivation approaches study explores the interaction between cultivation intensity and cover crop use. This research uses a single rotation – based on winter wheat with ostensibly spring sown break crops – in a fully replicated experiment on large plots using commercial machinery. The study compares four levels of cultivation intensity; plough, shallow non-inversion (ca. ≤10 cm), deep non-inversion (ca. 20 cm) and a managed regime (decision decided annually based on prevailing conditions and soil measurements). Each of these approaches is repeated with and without the presence of a brassica cover crop ahead of spring sown crops. Relative yield return indicates that, of the cultivation systems that remain consistent over seasons, the plough tillage approach results in increased yields compared to other cultivation approaches, whilst the highest margins are associated with the deep tillage approach. In winter wheat recent findings have demonstrated improvements in performance, yield and margin associated with cover crop use in the rotation, notably where used in conjunction with shallow tillage approaches. In addition, differences in the performance of the crops in the rotation in relation to cultivation practice are being seen as the study progresses. New Farming Systems Further information For further information on the New Farming Systems Project please go to the NIAB website (www.niab.com) or email [email protected]. The New Farming Systems Project is managed by NIAB TAG in conjunction with an independent advisory group and supported by The Morley Agricultural Foundation and The JC Mann Trust. The NFS project also contributes to a range of other research programmes. v2017 The JC Mann Trust
Transcript of NEW FARMING SYSTEMS...New Farming Systems Evaluating cultivation approaches This study is undertaken...
NEW FARMING SYSTEMSEvaluating cultivation approaches
The New Farming Systems (NFS) project is a series ofexperiments and system demonstrations. The project aims
to explore ways of improving the sustainability, stabilityand output of conventional arable farming systems.
The research is being undertaken on a sandy loam soilat Morley in Norfolk
Project overviewThe NFS evaluating cultivation approaches study explores the interactionbetween cultivation intensity and cover crop use. This research uses asingle rotation – based on winter wheat with ostensibly spring sownbreak crops – in a fully replicated experiment on large plots usingcommercial machinery.
The study compares four levels of cultivation intensity; plough, shallownon-inversion (ca. ≤10 cm), deep non-inversion (ca. 20 cm) and a managedregime (decision decided annually based on prevailing conditions and soilmeasurements). Each of these approaches is repeated with and withoutthe presence of a brassica cover crop ahead of spring sown crops.
Relative yield return indicates that, of the cultivation systems that remainconsistent over seasons, the plough tillage approach results in increasedyields compared to other cultivation approaches, whilst the highestmargins are associated with the deep tillage approach. In winter wheatrecent findings have demonstrated improvements in performance, yieldand margin associated with cover crop use in the rotation, notably whereused in conjunction with shallow tillage approaches. In addition,differences in the performance of the crops in the rotation in relation tocultivation practice are being seen as the study progresses.
New Farming SystemsFurther information
For further information on the New Farming Systems Project please go to theNIAB website (www.niab.com) or email [email protected].
The New Farming Systems Projectis managed by NIAB TAG in conjunction with an independent advisory group
and supported by The Morley Agricultural Foundation and The JC Mann Trust.The NFS project also contributes to a range of other research programmes.
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TheJC Mann
Trust
New Farming Systems
Evaluating cultivation approachesThis study is undertaken on large plots (12 m x 36 m), using farm scaleequipment and techniques, and employs a fully replicated factorial design.The main plot areas are 12 m x 36 m, with further details of the treatmentsand the design presented in the table; in total the experiment has eighttreatments.
Two management approaches1. Current – systems run as farm standard;
2. Cover crops – as ‘current’ but with a radish autumn cover crop ahead ofspring sown crops.
Cultivation approaches1. Plough;
2. Shallow non-inversion (ca. ≤10 cm);
3. Deep non-inversion (ca. 20 cm);
4. Managed regime – decision on cultivation regime is based aroundprevailing conditions and soil measurements.
ROAD
REP 3 REP 4
REP 1 REP 2
Managed ManagedPlough Plough
Radish Radish Radish Radish
Deepnon-inv
Deepnon-inv
Shallownon-inv
Shallownon-inv
Plough Managed ManagedPlough
Radish Radish Radish Radish
Deepnon-inv
Deepnon-inv
Shallownon-inv
Shallownon-inv
Plough Managed Managed Plough
Radish Radish Radish Radish
Shallownon-inv
Deepnon-inv
Deepnon-inv
Shallownon-inv
Plough PloughManaged Managed
RadishRadish Radish Radish
Deepnon-inv
Deepnon-inv
Shallownon-inv
Shallownon-inv
Cropping
Rotation 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
(Year 1) (Year 2) (Year 3) (Year 4) (Year 5) (Year 6) (Year 7) (Year 8) (Year 9) (Year 10)
Spring wwt sosr wwt sbns wwt sbly wosr wwt soat wwtbreaks
Cropping key: wwt (winter wheat), swt (spring wheat), sosr (spring oilseed rape), sbly (spring barley),wbns (winter beans), sbns (spring beans), wosr (winter oilseed rape), soat (spring oat)
Treatment and rotational progression details
