A guide to the Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS)
Dr. Bill Crooks, a soils and drainage expert, is on a farm to demonstrate how to undertake a Visual Examination of Soil Structure (VESS). In this video, he is in a grassland field that is due to be ploughed and planted in crop as part of the rotation but not before time as can be seen by the VESS. Dr. Crooks then moves into a neighbouring grassland field to compare the soil structure with the first field, again using a VESS.
Chisel Ploughing to Open Dairy Farm Soil Structure with Hugh McClymont at Crichton Royal Farm
Short video with Hugh McClymont from SRUC's Crichton Royal Farm in Dumfries promoting good soil management in a grassland system with high rainfall.
Short video with Hugh McClymont from SRUC’s Crichton Royal Farm in Dumfries promoting good soil…
Protecting Soils using Controlled Traffic Systems with Robert Ramsay at West Mains of Kinblethmont
Short video with Robert Ramsay from West Mains of Kinblethmont, Angus, explaining how controlled traffic farming systems, involving set tracks identified by GPS satellite links, can improve yields by protecting farm soils from problems such as compaction.
Improving Soils and Preventing Runoff and Erosion Through Tramline Management
Tramlines are a major diffuse pollution pathway. Controlled traffic farming (CTF) systems reduce soil damage, can increase yield and save both fuel and time.
Improving soil management with reduced inversion farming at Preston Hall Farm
We hear from Bill Gray, Farm Manager at Preston Hall Farms, who gives an insight into how the estate manages their cropping systems to improve soil structure. Joanna Cloy, a Researcher at SRUC explains the importance for farmers to make small changes to their systems to reduce pollution whilst improving their farm's productivity.
Using sward lifters to alleviate compaction
This video explores the use of sward lifters as a management tool to help alleviate soil compaction.