The importance of upholding soil health and sustaining its productivity for the future is essential. No matter what the enterprise, we are reliant on soil for all production, either to produce our crops or forage to feed livestock. Therefore, measures must be taken to conserve soil, which is more vulnerable to erosion and the leaching of essential nutrients over the winter months, especially after the harvest of maize crops.
Calf housing is a huge part of calf health and welfare, it can be the change that many systems need to improve their calf rearing. In September, DEFRA launched a £10 million infrastructure grant to fund calf housing, available to new and upgraded calf housing. Improvements such as ventilation, protection from draughts, and suitable temperature and humidity will be key areas to focus on.
Nutrient management planning ensures that crops receive the right nutrients in the right amounts at the right time. When done effectively, it not only promotes healthy crop growth but also maximises yields and minimises environmental impacts.
Rachel Clifton, one of our experts in nutrient management planning, sheds light on the plan’s key principles and practices, and what is involved in the process of getting one.
The past eighteen months in the dairy sector have been a rollercoaster, featuring unprecedented volatility in milk prices and significant fluctuations in the costs of feed, fuel, and fertiliser.
In an ever-evolving dairy sector, understanding the latest market trends and strategies is paramount.
Alongside nine project partners, Wynnstay is pleased to be involved in the Innovate UK project ‘Dancing with daffodils’, which focuses on cultivating and processing daffodils.
Research is being undertaken to identify the potential of the incorporation of a compound found in daffodils into ruminant diets to reduce methane emissions and improve protein utilisation.
In season three, episode six of the Wynnstay Agri-Hub Podcast Alison Bond, Technical Services Manager at Rumenco and Andrew Evans, first-generation dairy farmer and Group Sustainability, Innovation and Food Supply Chain Director at Wynnstay, tell us more about the project and what it means for the industry.
The Sustainable Agriculture Award, which honours farmers that go above and above for the environment and their local community, is being sponsored by Wynnstay and NFU Cymru.
We are proudly sponsoring this award which recognises the exceptional contribution Welsh farming firms make to the country's economy, ecology, social life, and cultural heritage.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly into electricity. By connecting to a farm’s electrical system, the energy produced using solar PV can be used to meet power demands including lighting and electrical farm equipment. Any surplus energy generated by the system can exported to the National Grid for payment. Alternatively, the system can be installed with a battery component, allowing excess power to be stored and used later, for example to support night-time operations.
Thinking of installing solar on your farm? While the benefits of a solar installation are plain to see for any agricultural business, there are some key considerations for anyone eager to progress with such a project.
The first step for any agricultural business seeking to undertake a commercial scale solar project is to contact a Solar Energy UK-registered installer, such as Caplor Energy, with an idea of what you’d like your project to achieve. The installer will work with you to understand your objectives, property assets and current and future energy usage levels to provide an initial determination of the feasibility of your project. Once this is done, a detailed assessment will take place including a site survey, energy and financial modelling and any planning and grid connection permission requirements.
The United Kingdom’s commercial solar power sector saw record growth in 2021, making it an incredible economic success story. In 2022 we are seeing record increases in energy prices and this is also prompting many business to explore ways in which to significantly reduce energy bills. Commercial solar panel systems, including agricultural solar, has a key role in the UK’s achievement of net zero by 2050.
