Tips on managing fallow land hit by wet weather

摘要

Many growers will be forced to leave land fallow this season and, although that means no income, there are big benefits from highercrop yields in the future and herbicide savings.But to achieve these advantages, arable farmers must effectively manage fallow areas and not simply leave fields as they are, which would otherwise risk further soil damage.Matt Ward, services leader at agronomy firm Hutchinsons, advises growers hit by the heavy winter rains to identify how they can maximise soil health by fallowing or by other means."Growers need to get the spade out, dig a hole and find out what their soil is doing. Soils may not be able to produce a profitable crop this year, but it's vital to manage soil health so, next year, they can, with yield increases possible," he says.