Soil

Regenerative agriculture focuses on improving soil health and reducing artificial inputs, but it does not need to be a full move to organic production.

There are farmers trying to harvest crops, bale straw and plant winter cereals in the current mixed weather.

Rain this week will help to reduce bruising in potato crops, but dry weather will be welcome to get potatoes out in the coming weeks.

Farmers in NI must complete training associated with the soil nutrient health scheme

Lime can take four to six months to correct soil pH, so an autumn application can set up grassland for growth next spring.

Malting barley growers could be paid for a carbon credit under a new programme from Boortmalt, who is partnering with Soil Capital.

The change comes after the expansion of the company into new sectors and the international market.

Eamonn Tracey and Jer Coakley, who won gold at the World Ploughing Contest last month, reflect on their ploughing journeys to date, Grace Hoare reports.