Farmers Weekly are publishing articles about 5 of the ARF soil case studies in their magazine during September and October. These are also on their website at www.fwi.co.uk/academy. Each Academy contains a guide to a major soil issue, a profile of one of the case study farmers who's successfully addressing it, and a self-test, on-line questionnaire. An e-mail link at the end lets you submit your results for 2 BASIS points.

The academies feature:

Compaction, with Fraser Milne, featuring Chichester grower Nick Baird (case study 2)
Capping and slumping , with Nick Caspell, featuring Cornwall grower Arthur Andrews (case study 6)
Water erosion, with Colin Stride, featuring Malvern farmer Austin Knowles (case study 13)
Wind erosion , with Fraser Milne, featuring Suffolk grower Tim Pratt (case study 3)
Poaching , with Mark Tripney, featuring Yorkshire farmer Tom Rawson (case study 16)

All 17 of the ARF  case studies are in the Soil Information Gateway together with highlights, tips, solutions and strategies that address problems such as erosion, compaction and poaching. 

This resource builds on years of research carried out by the UK's leading soil experts. Examples of profitable and innovative solutions to common soil-related issues have been drawn from across the farming sector and contain valuable pointers for other farm businesses. Strategies are outlined, and the experts themselves highlight not only how problems have been alleviated, but how the businesses involved have tailored the solutions to boost profitability, tie in with local objectives or fit a business restructure. 

"As a resource for farmers looking to get more from their soils, this is a gold mine," says ARF deputy lead technical director Mike Storey. "If you've ever wondered what's holding your crop back, or what can be done to preserve vulnerable soils, you'll probably find the answer lies in the simple solutions these forward-thinking and innovative farmers have adopted for their businesses." 

The most thorough analysis ever carried out of modern practical soil solutions in farming, the case studies highlight the achievements of no-plough pioneers, such as West Sussex potato producer Nick Baird and Worcestershire cereal grower Jim Bullock. 

Tips on how to get the best from machinery, such as the soil aerator, Aqueel and flatlift subsoiler, are given by farmers, such as Shropshire's Tony Reilly or Yorkshire's Tom Rawson, for whom the kit has proved a valued investment. 

Tailoring the farm's natural resources to combat wind erosion is profiled on Suffolk grower Tim Pratt's farm. Restructuring the farm's machinery policy was the opportunity to address compaction issues for Ross-shire farmer James Grant. And Cornwall bulb and cut flower grower Arthur Andrews has fitted local objectives neatly into the capping and slumping solutions on his sloping sandy soils. 

The web-based resource, at www.appliedresearchforum.org.uk/soils, provides a thorough guide to common soil-related issues, such as compaction, water and wind erosion, capping, slumping, poaching and waterlogging. The Soils Information Gateway is a central resource, with links to a comprehensive list of publications and training organisations. The case studies provide supporting information on best practice. The project has been funded by the Applied Research Forum and led by the British Potato Council. Experts and case study farmers have been put forward by the Home-Grown Cereals Authority, Horticulture Development Council, English Beef and Lamb Executive, Milk Development Council and British Pig Executive. 

"This is an unprecedented example of levy-board collaboration, and has ensured the broadest reach across the sectors," adds Dr Storey. "Working together with levy-board managers, consultants and the farmers themselves, we've pooled our research-based knowledge and expertise to bring levy-payers real benefits for their business. Better soil management means UK farmers will also be better-equipped for new legislation, such as the forthcoming EU Soils directive, and meet cross-compliance regulations."