Crop protection and regenerative agriculture research insight tour

Does Regen Ag help or hinder the management of pests, weeds and diseases? Lessons from the Rothamsted Long Term experiments (part of the Rothamsted Regenerative Agriculture Event Series). 

Changing to regenerative farming practices requires a different approach to managing pests, weeds, and diseases that encourages sustainable and integrated approaches. To protect crops, a balanced approach is required that considers the physical, biological and ecological traits of the farm, alongside those of pest and weed species. But what evidence is there of the impact of regenerative practices including reduced tillage, cover crops, crop diversity, compost management, or different fertiliser types, on pest, weed, and disease control? 

How can farmers implement these regenerative practices with confidence and also manage the negative impacts of pests, weeds, or diseases? Can these practices benefit the whole farm and wider sustainable goals of producing healthy crops, protected against pests, weeds, and diseases? 

Researchers at Rothamsted have been finding answers to these questions through long-term experiments. At this in-person event (held at Brooms Barn, Suffolk), Jonathan Storkey, Ian Shield,  Jon West, Sam Cook, and David Comont will share evidence with the farming community – focussing on the implementation of integrated pest and weed management within a regenerative farming system. We will cover:

• Integrated pest management strategies for cabbage stem flea beetle
• Soil disturbance versus weed control
• Improving traditional methods to reduce the need for fungicides

These events will provide space to ask questions and have discussions directly with Rothamsted’s panel of experts. It is a great opportunity to engage with the research being carried out at Rothamsted, to hear about our scientific work, and to add your voice, and that of the farming community, to future scientific research.