Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW MARCH/APRIL 2023 11 SOIL HEALTH A FORFAR grower says his soil health has improved since introducing sheep to his rotation. Hugh and James Black and family, who farm at Backboath, have an arable business that extends to just under 400 hectares, producing predominantly potatoes as well as winter wheat, winter barley and oilseed rape. ere is no spring cropping on the farm, other than potatoes and some spring beans, and they operate a seven-year rotation, with three breaks, recently adding beans into the mix. Hugh, along with four other farmers, make up the Soil Regenerative Agriculture Group, working alongside Farming For a Better Climate (FFBC), delivered by SAC Consulting, to establish how best to support, enhance and protect their farm soils. ree years ago, Hugh started working with a grazier to introduce sheep into his rotations and says he has been reaping a multitude of bene ts from the process. “ e sheep give us a new income, we save on chemical usage and there is no need for a T0 spray, as the sheep eat everything,” said Mr Black. “We will take anything from between 250 to 850 sheep annually and we move them on, between elds, when they graze everything down to the bone. We thought there might be an issue with poaching, but we have been very lucky that no crops have ever been lost. “Since having the sheep, we are able to drive over all the elds without leaving a mark. ey compact the ground on a surface level which makes it brilliant for springtime nitrogen applications and this follows though in to harvest too.” SAC Consultant Zach Reilly, who leads on the work with the Soil Regenerative Agriculture Group, said: “For Hugh, everything has been about striking a balance between improving yields, protecting his soils, while maintaining pro tability. “Introducing sheep has proved a win-win. He has been able to cut back on chemical fertilisers, improve his soil structure and it has allowed him to sow earlier to take advantage of establishing his crops in better weather, letting the sheep graze crops down before getting them back to a clean healthy status for the spring.” “Everything has been about striking a balance between improving yields, protecting soils, while maintaining profitability. Introducing sheep has proved a win-win.” Zach Reilly, Consultant, SAC ‘Spring nitrogen applications and harvests easier since animals were introduced’. Sheep improve grower’s soil