Innovation for Agriculture

What does profitable soil management look like in practice?

In this video, 2025 Soil Farmer of the Year winner John Joseph takes viewers on a virtual farm walk through his Herefordshire farm, sharing the practical changes that have improved both soil health and farm profitability over the past decade.

Key changes have included:
🌱 Introducing companion crops across the rotation
🌱 Bringing grassland into the arable system
🌱 Moving to 100% direct drilling
🌱 Reducing synthetic inputs while building soil biology

John’s approach demonstrates how healthy, biologically active soils can support resilient crop production and a stronger farm business.

Watch the video to hear how his system has evolved and the lessons learned along the way ➡️ youtube.com/watch?v=5koTEa…

#SoilFarmerOfTheYear #SoilHealth #FarmResilience #RegenerativeAgriculture #DirectDrilling @FarmCO2Toolkit @hutchinsonsaguk @CotswoldSeeds

Congratulations to the 2026 Soil Farmer of the Year winners, announced at Groundswell.

🏆 Chris Molyneux (Lancashire)
🥈 Paul Baker (Devon)
🥉 Colin Chappell (Lincolnshire)

Three very different farming systems, one common goal: healthier soils delivering stronger, more resilient farm businesses.

Farm walks with the winners will be announced soon.

#SoilFarmerOfTheYear #Groundswell #SoilHealth @Groundswellaguk @CotswoldSeeds @HutchinsonsAgUK @FarmCO2Toolkit

This is a fantastic opportunity for calf rearers to take part in a workshop focused on how to put new ideas into practice on your farm.

As well as taking part in a valuable session, successful applicants will also gain free entry to the National Youngstock Conference.

Find out more and apply now 👇

Join us at the Cirencester Bioframe Workshops – Friday 19 June 2026.
We’re bringing together non-intensive beef farmers and vets at Cirencester Livestock Market to discuss experiences of biosecurity guidance and what could work better in practice.
Farmers’ session: 12:30–2:30pm
Vets’ session: 3:00–5:00pm
Refreshments will be available, and farmers can claim a £50 voucher in recognition of their time.
We’re particularly looking for beef cattle farmers whose cattle are unhoused for at least six months of the year.
If you’d like to get involved, please register your interest here ➡️ i4agri.org/event/bioframe…

One week to go! 💦

The Water Quality Farmer of the Year Award recognises practical farm management improving water quality across England and Wales.

Know someone doing great work?
☑️ Nutrient management
☑️ Runoff reduction
☑️ Soil improvement

Enter or nominate ➡️ i4agri.org/water-quality-…

#WaterQualityFarmerOfTheYear @PortsmouthWater @SouthernWater @wessexwater @stwater @AnglianWater @RoyalAgSociety