Campaigns

"There are so many opportunities for those with very different backgrounds to contribute to agriculture"

Charlotte Mitchell, 32, runs a butcher’s shop, Charlotte’s Butchery, in Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Here she tells Emily Ashworth about her journey into the profession, and how it is a sector which needs more passionate

The opportunities to work in agriculture extend far beyond the farm gate, yet it’s rare that those who advise farmers, conduct scientific trials and manufacture the products that farmers use share the stories about their careers.

Find out how these bright young Harper Adams alumni have jump-started their careers by taking advantage of work placements and networking opportunities.

With increasing interest in other break crops alongside OSR – enforced by the season and establishment challenges – pulse crops’ prospect are under the spotlight too.

Tedding and raking are the unsung heroes of silaging and should be given as much care and attention at harvest as any part of the silage-making process.

Producing your own haylage, rather than buying-in dietary straw, could bring numerous benefits.

Ultra Low Volume application - for example where silage additive is applied at 20ml/tonne of grass compared to the usual 1-2 litres/tonne - could save considerable time at harvest

Adopting Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) could help reduce soil compaction risk and boost yields by up to 10.5% while also reducing nitrous oxide emissions.

Taking the time to knock out seedling weeds in a new grass reseed will substantially reduce the likelihood of them returning at a later date and safeguard investment.