Introduction
Well structured soils and seedbeds are vital for rapid plant development in order to produce high yielding quality crops.

Poorly prepared soils with damaged structure are prone to compaction, capping and slumping resulting in restricted root development and delayed emergence. Restricted root development limits the uptake of available nutrients and water, which together with delayed emergence  and poor canopy development can  reduce  yield.

Crop rotations help increase yields overall, can build soil organic matter and improve soil fertility.  An ideal arable rotation involves alternating cereals with legumes, root crops, green manures, pulses and oilseeds.  This produces differing amounts and types of residues (fragile and non-fragile) thus making crop residue and trash management easier. 

Additionally, the different rooting characteristics of crops can affect soil condition and workability by providing a better developed soil structure.  This, in turn, supports a greater abundance and diversity of soil-organisms which are beneficial to plant productivity through their effects on soil formation, nutrient availability and some biological control of pest organisms.

Yield and quality as it applies to different sectors...

Potatoes
To achieve optimum nutrient and water uptake, potatoes need to be planted in a soil that is freely rootable.  Any resistance in soils either as capping, slumping or compaction will restrict and slow down root development and plant emergence.  Restricted root development limits the uptake of available nutrients and water, this together with delayed emergence  and canopy development has the potential to reduce yield.

Horticulture
Some crops such as brassicas, salads and cucurbit crops may be grown in modules or blocks by specialist plant propagators and then transplanted into the field by the grower. Others such as umbellifers and alliums, where seeds are small, are drilled at shallow depth directly into a prepared seedbed. Well- structured soils and seedbeds are vital for rapid plant development resulting in high yielding quality crops. Crops are programmed to meet the strict demands for timely supply to purchasers, such as the multiples. Poorly prepared soils with damaged structures are prone to compaction, capping and slumping resulting in unsatisfactory plant growth with reduced yield and quality of product.

Cereals and Oilseeds
Crop rotations help increase yields overall, can build soil organic matter and improve soil fertility.  An ideal crop rotation involves alternating cereals with legume, root crops, green manures, pulses and oilseeds. This produces differing amounts and types of residue (fragile vs. non-fragile) thus making crop residue and trash management easier. First wheat after break crops are the most consistent for yield and quality as they utilise multifunctional nutrient and crop protection contributions and provide many management solutions. Additionally, the different rooting characteristics of crops can affect soil condition and workability by providing a more stratified soil structure. This, in turn, supports a greater abundance and diversity of microorganisms, nematodes, earthworms and microarthropods, beneficial to plant productivity through their effects on soil formation, nutrient availability and biological control of pest organisms.

Sugar
Apart from a balanced approach to plant nutrients, two things drive yield - water and sunlight. Modern varieties of sugar beet are more bolting resistant, and therefore can be sown earlier to take advantage of early summer radiation. The downside is that this is easiest to achieve when the crop is grown on lighter soils which can run out of moisture, and thus restrict yield, unless irrigation is available. Lighter soils are also less 'clingy' when it comes to harvest, resulting in lower dirt tares.  In addition, British Sugar have less soil to dispose of.

Pigs
Grass needs to be managed to maintain good cover, this can include rotating pigs, topping and sub-soiling to alleviate localised compaction. 

Regulatory requirements

Precision farming