With Brexit done and the Agriculture Bill now passed, it is clear that the farming sector is set for real change in the coming years. But what might that look like? The challenge ahead With the global population predicted to exceed 9 billion by 2050 of which a third are expected to live in urban
Why it’s important to celebrate World Soil Day?
We’ve heard lots in the press about the damaging effect of plastic waste on our oceans or the impact of deforestation but what about soil? Soil is our life support system – it provides anchorage for roots, holds water and nutrients but sadly it’s also under threat. With a background in farming, we know too
Why the wet weather didn’t hamper our harvest?
In spite of the record-breaking rainfall during October, the harvest wasn’t hindered here at Hermitage Farm. The farming team managed to get our maize crops off during the second week of October as a result of our well-drained fields. Hermitage Farm is based at Cotterill Civils’ HQ and has been a part of our MD’s
How to install a channel drain
At Cotterill Civils we supply a wide variety and type of channel drains – but what are they and how are they installed? What are channel drains? Channel drains, also known as ACO, trench drain, linear channels or drainage channels, are specifically designed to provide efficient surface water management, particularly when it comes to non-porous
Is it worth investing in drainage?
Installing a new land drainage system involves labour and investment but is it worth the money? Here’s a useful guide to help you understand your return on investment. How to calculate your return on investment from land drainage? To calculate your potential return on investment (ROI) from land drainage, you first need to understand
What are the different types of drainage for farms?
Saturated soil is not only bad for the health of crops but it also makes the use of machinery more difficult, if not impossible. To combat this problem, farmers need to rely on drainage systems to ensure they optimise their yields but what are their options? Natural drainage versus artificial drainage Firstly, drainage can be
How your soil type impacts drainage?
The UK has many different types of soil due to variations in geology, climate, plant and animal ecology and land use. Understanding the type of soil you have is an important first step in identifying the best crops to grow and the actions needed, such as good drainage, to get the most from your soil.
Why old clay land drainage systems are failing?
According to the Agriculture and Development Board, around 6.4 million hectares of agricultural land in England and Wales have been drained with piped systems. Unfortunately, more and more land drainage systems are being reported to fail. Why are land drainage systems failing? The installation of clay piping systems was popular over 30 years ago when
How farmers can protect soil from extreme weather?
The start of 2020 has already brought its challenges for UK farmers – from one of the wettest winters on record to the sunniest spring to date. So how can farmers protect their land from such weather extremes? One way is to improve the health of their soil. Here are our top 3 tips: Don’t
How to improve soil quality in farming?
We’ve harped on about the importance of soil in farming for years but the recent Agriculture Bill has confirmed just how critical it is. But what can you do to improve your soil? What is the Agriculture Bill? The UK’s new Agriculture Bill has been called “one of the most significant pieces of legislation for