26th June 2023
An important part of Frontier’s strategy to support farmers with sustainable crop production is the concept of integrated farm management (IFM); a holistic approach which sees environmental and conventional crop production activities work in tandem with one another to boost productivity, farm resilience and biodiversity.
Experts from Kings Crops, Frontier’s specialist crops and environmental land management division, will bring the concept of IFM to this year’s Groundswell event. The team will also be joined by Frontier’s sustainable crop production experts, as well as sister company and precision technology business, SOYL, who will showcase digital tools that support crop performance benchmarking, nutrient mapping, soil monitoring and the optimisation of inputs.
“Groundswell is the perfect place to talk about all things integrated farm management,” explains Kings Crops sales manager, Richard Barnes. “We are here to support growers looking to achieve and deliver crop production systems through more sustainable farming methods.
“Through demonstration plots and the insights of our experts, we’ll be advising on a range of environmental options that suit this approach, with a particular focus on increasing pollinators and beneficials, supporting farmland birds, adopting cultural controls, improving water quality, growing quality forage and protecting soil fertility and soil structure.”
Making the most of opportunities in the SFI 2023
The concept of IFM is one set to be at the front of many farmers’ minds now more than ever following the updates made to the Government’s Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) this month.
New actions now part of the scheme cover themes such as integrated pest management and nutrient management, with farmers able to be paid for adopting more sustainable activities that protect the environment but support resilient food production.
Richard continues, “This means many farmers will be looking at new or alternative strategies to land management and growing their crops. With the latest announcements potentially opening up new revenue streams for many businesses, we want to link them to practical solutions and sound advice that help them to make the most of new opportunities but also deliver for their individual businesses.
“Many are already doing some of the actions outlined in the SFI 2023 programme, so it’s important we help them access the support available. At Groundswell our compliance team will be offering advice around this and can share bespoke plans to support farmers with SFI actions linked to soil management, as well as the new nutrient management and integrated pest management options.”
A diverse range of cover crop displays
As Groundswell’s official Cover Crop Partner for the seventh year, Kings will also demonstrate 30 plots of specialist crops on stand.
“We’re pleased to be showcasing even more mixtures this year,” says Richard. “The plots were drilled on two separate dates across autumn and spring so visitors will be able to assess them at different stages and understand what they deliver across the season.
“Importantly, the innovative mixtures will help visitors understand what the implementation of integrated farm management can realistically look like on farm. The crop options we have can deliver for soil health, integrated pest management and forage production, as well as meet SFI requirements and Stewardship needs whilst improving water quality and the wider farmed environment.”
As part of Groundswell’s main event programme, visitors will be able to participate in guided plot tours with the team across the two days:
- Wednesday 28th June at 11.00am
- Thursday 29th June at 12.00pm.
Considering the whole farm system – seven areas of sustainability
The advice, services and solutions of Kings and SOYL are key elements of Frontier’s overall sustainable crop production model, led by experts from the business to support growers across seven key focus areas: crop growth cycle, soil function, carbon management, regenerative agriculture, environmental management, digital solutions and compliance.
Frontier’s technical sustainability specialists will be on hand at Groundswell to advise visitors on all of the above, as well as share more about the sustainability requirements being placed on food production companies and how this translates in a practical sense on farm.
Visitors to Groundswell can find Kings Crops, Frontier Agriculture and SOYL on stand DF B31. Kings and the demonstration plots are also part of the BASIS Knowledge Trail and applicable for CPD points.
The event takes place 28th – 29th June at Lannock Manor Farm, Hitchin SG4 7EE and tickets are available at groundswellag.com
