International soil expert looks to the future at conference

The one-day conference, held in Staffordshire, includes presentations from Mr Zimmer, focusing on the merits of biological farming, soil health and improved forage quality, as well as a farm walk.

Quality Liquid Feeds UK is based in Much Wenlock.

Described as the future of food production for both conventional and organic systems, biological farming involves the careful monitoring of crops and soils to ensure highest quality outputs.

“Biological practices have seen growing interest across the world as farmers react to mounting costs, legislation, environmental concerns and consumer awareness,” says David Maxwell of QLF Agronomy.

He said QLF had worked closely with Gary Zimmer for a number of years, and also supplied him with their organic liquid carbon fertiliser, Terrafed, for his own farm.

Mr Zimmer said: “Growers are increasingly interested in sustainable farm production and biological farming is a system that can help to increase yields, grow more nutritious food and forage and achieve greater profits.”

Biological farming systems work on the principle that soil function and mineral availability provide the base to improve the health of both livestock and crops.

Comparing soil microbes to the microbes in a cow’s rumen, Mr Zimmer says that both systems have a lot in common.

“The cow and the plant-soil system works by digesting things using biology, and both need a good mineral balance.”

Mr Zimmer, who is originally from a dairy background, now operates an award winning 1,000-acre farm near Wisconsin, USA focusing on biological farming principles. He also founded and still sits on the board of a biological farming consultancy business which helps supply QLF’s liquid carbon-based fertilisers extensively throughout the USA.

As well as a comprehensive talk from Mr Zimmer there will also be a crop walk, hosted by farmer Mr Tim Parton, with the opportunity for delegates to see first-hand biological farming practices.

The event near Coven is free to attend but requires delegates to sign up online using the link https://qlfsoilevent.hscampaigns.com/