Sustainable Food Trust

JANUARY 14, 2025

As news of weed killer resistant plants hits the headlines, Patrick Holden reflects on discussions at the latest Oxford Real Farming Conference, highlighting why the plough may not be the worst option when it comes to nature-friendly cultivation. The theme was how ploughing and cultivation can be good for soil health.

Ploughing 59

Ploughing Cultivation Pesticide Farming 59

Sustainable Food Trust

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

Hundreds of acres of Bristol farmland, with its meadows and hedges and resident wildlife, was swept away by the concrete sprawl and the ambitions of its new owners. Next spring there will be swallows winging their way back across continents to feast on insects that live with cattle that graze on pasture that has never been ploughed.

Farming 145

Farming Farming Meadow Acre 145

Sustainable Food Trust

JUNE 14, 2023

But will the current trend away from ploughing towards direct drilling and the accompanying use of glyphosate bring the benefits advocates claim, or could this make matters even worse? Richard Young follows on from his article, Speed the plough or the direct drill and sprayer?

Ploughing 52

Ploughing Crop Yield Farming 52

Daily Yonder

APRIL 11, 2023

America’s recent history with farming in the Midwest sees a change from horse-and-ploughs to tractors during the 1930s and 40s – especially after World War 2. It’s a message that remains entrenched in America’s farmland today and fuels incredible revenues for seed/chemical companies.

Farming 52

Farming Farming Acre Seeding 52

RR2CS

MARCH 8, 2022

In 2006, they began to look for farmland around Edmonton, but the exorbitant cost of land — in some areas, upward of a million dollars — was insurmountable on teacher’s salaries. Often, in conventional agriculture, muskeg areas and sloughs are drained and ploughed.

Farming 52

Farming Farming Forage Seeding 52