Arable farm manager Ted Allen-Stevens was keen to find out if ‘regenerative’ was the best way to go for soil and crops.
Owned by regen advocate Ian Piggott, Thrales End Farm had been managed according to regenerative principles for around nine years. But after joining as farm manager in 2023 Ted wanted evidence into how effective those practices had been in improving soil health.
As son of BOFIN founder Tom Allen-Stevens, Ted was well- versed in the value of on-farm trials. “Researchers can provide evidence of the value of regenerative practices, but every farm is unique, and I needed to see results from our system to know if it’s achieving its goals,” he says.
In year one of the project Ted joined the other farmer triallists
at training workshops learning about the different sampling techniques. Back at Thrales End his trial explored the effect of Polysulphate fertiliser on below-ground biomass taking samples from treated and untreated areas.
“Even though I didn’t see any significant differences between the two treatments it did provide me a valuable opportunity of setting up, completing and assessing on-farm trials,” he says.
By taking soil cores and both soil and root samples, he got a closer look at the health of his soils and roots. He also learned how to make sense of the data with guidance from the TRUTH scientists, which is proving particularly valuable.
“When I saw our results from the TRUTH project I felt that I had some real evidence that soil health had improved since we brought in regenerative practices here.
“It’s only when you drill down into the detail of your own farm that you can get that substance and reassurance of what you’re actually achieving.”
With another year of the project ahead, Ted’s hoping to fit together the pieces of his soil puzzle. He is exploring different nitrogen rates on the soil health and performance of different varieties but ultimately, he wants further depth to the evidence that regenerative principles are really paying off.
“This year I hope to tie in the scientific detail from the TRUTH project with changing or influencing our on-farm practice to reduce inputs and increase crop resilience.”
Thrales End Farm
- 400ha, sandy clay loam
- Wheat, oats, beans and stewardship schemes
- Regenerative system
- Direct drilling