BOFIN
Farmers and scientists involved in the SLIMERS (Strategies Leading to Improved Management and Enhanced Resilience against Slugs) project are making strides towards finding sustainable slug control methods including ‘slug resistant’ wheat varieties.
Read the full article HERE
Farmers are being encouraged to take part in sharing knowledge and ideas via a series of specialist online forums.
Exchanging knowledge is a key part of the projects coordinated by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN).
Founder Tom Allen-Stevens said: “On-farm trials are advancing expertise in sustainable farming, but we don’t want to keep our findings to ourselves. As well as hosting in-person events and publishing knowledge guides, leaflets and articles we have the Knowledge in Farming section on The Farming Forum to enable online discussion.”
This is a dedicated section for farmers – and anyone else interested – to learn from the BOFIN trials but also to host wider discussion around specific areas of interest.
Sections on the forum are the Soil Circle, Slug Circle and Pulse PEP reflecting the work being carried out within the TRUTH, SLIMERS and NCS projects respectively. Each Circle has a resource hub hosting a range of useful resources as well as the discussion forums. A fourth Circle to host discussion and resources on precision bred crops will be launched later this year.
Expert input
“This month our research partners are launching a new series of discussion threads to bring in their areas of expertise,” added Tom. “It’s an excellent opportunity to learn from scientists, researchers and other innovative farmers. I strongly encourage farmers to make time to use of this fabulous resource.”
BOFIN members are automatically registered and allocated a username and password for The Farming Forum when their first join the network, allowing them to access and join in the discussions straight away. Anyone who has mislaid their log-in details can enter their email address and click on ‘forgotten password’ at The Farming Forum for a reminder via email.
For tips on engaging with forum discussions read ‘Online discussion top tips’ and visit www.thefarmingforum.co.uk to get involved.
The Knowledge in Farming section of The Farming Forum is BOFIN’s online platform for farmers to enhance their expertise and engage in meaningful discussion about agricultural practices and policy. Here, BOFIN’s Community Manager Skye Melita shares her ‘top tips’ for getting started and making the most of online discussions on the Soil Circle, Slug Circle and PulsePEP.
Create your profile
BOFIN members are automatically sent a username and password for The Farming Forum when they first join the network. When you first log in you should change your password to something you will remember. You can also change your username if you wish, add an image and further details to your profile. What you include is entirely up to you, but could reflect your farming business, including the types of crops or livestock you manage and – if you are BOFIN trialist – indicate which of our trials you are involved in.
Your profile is what others see and helps them understand your perspective, making it easier to connect with like-minded people. If you’re not a BOFIN member already you can sign up here for free.
Active participation
Engagement is key to benefiting from the forum. Start by reading existing threads to understand ongoing conversations. Then, contribute by sharing your experiences or asking questions about topics that interest you – anything goes (within reason)! Your insights will be valuable to others, and asking questions can lead to really informative exchanges.
Use the resources
The Knowledge in Farming section also hosts a hub of resources aimed at enhancing knowledge exchange. Have a look through these sections to find webinars, articles, and research reports which can help you stay informed about best practices and the latest innovations.
Build relationships
Networking is another essential element of knowledge exchange. Reach out to other members through direct messages or by commenting on their posts. Whatever your query you will find someone on the Circles who has the experience to help you.
Be open-minded
In any discussion forum, people will have differing opinions. Approach conversations with respect and an open mind. Engaging constructively with diverse viewpoints can be just as useful as finding people who share your views.
Follow up on discussions
After participating in discussions consider following up with members who provided valuable insights or resources. This could involve thanking them for their contributions or asking further questions based on what you’ve learned.
By actively engaging with the Circles you can enhance your knowledge, share valuable experiences, and contribute to a vibrant community of innovative farmers.
Get involved at: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?categories/knowledge-in-farming.265/
The number of farmers applying to take part in trials with the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) in 2024-5 more than doubled this year, reflecting a growing understanding of the contribution of on-farm trials to agricultural innovation.
BOFIN coordinates trials for three major Defra-funded projects exploring the potential of pulses, sustainable slug control and soil and root health. This summer the team launched a campaign to recruit the next intake of farmers and was delighted by the response.
Oxfordshire farmer and BOFIN founder Tom Allen-Stevens said: “With all the challenges and unknowns our industry is facing it is very positive to see that farmers recognise the value of research. It’s meant that we have now filled all the available slots on our projects for 2024-5 and look forward to working with our new trialists as well as those who are continuing from last year.”
For each of the projects participating farmers are given training and support to undertake trials in their own fields and take responsibility to collect and submit data.
In return farmer trialists are paid and also benefit from the detailed analysis and information they receive.
“BOFIN was founded on the belief that farmers must contribute to the development of agricultural innovations if they are to be of true value. However, like any professionals we shouldn’t be expected to contribute without being rewarded, so all our farmers are paid a fee for their time and input.”
Plans are now underway to develop the fine detail of next year’s trials ahead of autumn drilling.
For more information on BOFIN‘s projects click here
Finding Slugs
Catching techniques
Identifying Grey Field slugs
Container tips
Shipping guidelines
Your efforts contribute significantly to important research. Thank you and happy slug scouting!
Scientists in the SLIMERS project are gearing up to restart their slug feeding trials after the summer break, which means that we will shortly be sending out more Slug Scout packs to those waiting to get involved.
Any slugs received over the summer have been taken care of in the insectory at John Innes Centre near Norwich, enjoying a diet of Chinese cabbage with small quantities of cat food for protein ahead of the trials.
A BIG thank you
Firstly, we want to thank everyone who has participated so far. Your contributions have been invaluable and helped us make great strides in our research. Grey field slugs are often spotted in gardens but are a major pest for arable farmers causing £43.2m worth of damage to crops every year. By taking part as a Slug Scout, you are contributing to the project which aims to find more sustainable ways to control slugs, including finding ‘slug resistant’ varieties of wheat.
With a huge amount of media coverage in recent months we’ve seen an incredible amount of interest in the project, and we’re so grateful for your interest! We will be sending out another batch of packs soon to as many people on our waiting list as possible.
What’s new in the Slug Scout packs?
To accommodate our growing community, we’ve updated our participation packs. Here’s what you can expect:
A small request
We do ask that you find your own container for the slugs and that you will send at least 10 (ideally more) grey field slugs. Takeaway tubs work perfectly as long as they have a tight-fitting lid. Additionally, please find a ‘Jiffy’ postage bag to send your slugs in – feel free to recycle one you already have!
Thank you for being a part of the SLIMERS project.
Many gardeners will be familiar with the feeling of waking up to find your prized vegetable patch has been pilfered, hostas have been hacked or dahlias decimated, overnight.
Now, picture that devastation on a much bigger scale, and you’ll understand the plight of UK arable farmers battling these menacing molluscs.
Slugs are the bane of UK agriculture, costing the industry a staggering £43.5 million every year.
These slimy pests don’t discriminate between a home-grown lettuce and a farmer’s wheat crop – they will munch through both with equal enthusiasm. Just as gardeners might find seedlings vanishing overnight, farmers face the heartbreak of seeing entire crops damaged or destroyed.
While the scale may differ, the challenges faced by farmers and gardeners are similar:
The SLIMERS Project: Your chance to get involved
Here’s where it gets exciting – you can join the fight against slugs and contribute to a research project which is working towards sustainable solutions! The SLIMERS (Strategies Leading to Improved Management and Enhanced Resilience Against Slugs) project is calling for ‘citizen scientists’ or Slug Scouts to get involved.
How to become a Slug Scout:
It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on with science and help farmers develop better slug control strategies. Plus, you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for these fascinating (if frustrating) creatures.
Why Your Help Matters
By participating, you’re not just helping farmers – you’re contributing to more sustainable agriculture practices. The research aims to reduce pesticide use while keeping our food supply secure.
So, the next time you’re cursing the slugs in your garden, remember – you are not alone in this slimy struggle. From the smallest allotment to the largest farm, we’re all in this together!
We have had a fantastic response to our call for more farmers to join our paid on-farm trials. If you’d like to join us, you need to be quick!
There are only a few spaces left for farmers to join our projects for the 2024/5 season:
As a BOFIN trial farmer you will benefit from:
Register your interest now at bofin.org.uk/getinvolved
We look forward to hearing from you,
The BOFIN team
Farmers are invited to find out more about the Farm Carbon Toolkit calculator via online drop-ins or at a field day.
These will particularly be of interest to Pulse Pioneers whose involvement in the NCS Project includes completing a carbon footprint of their farms, but are open to all farmers who are keen to learn more.
Those attending the FCT field day in Herefordshire on Thursday September 26 will hear from farmers and the FCT team about how farmers are reducing greenhouse gas emissions while building soil health and business resilience.
Amongst the farmer speakers is host Billy Lewis, Ed Horton, Angus Gowthorpe, Thomas Gent and Tom Burge.
For more information or to book a ticket click here
The online drop-in sessions provide an opportunity to find out how to use the calculator, how to fill in a report and how to get the most from it.
To attend the online drop-ins simply click the links below at the appropriate time:
The Farm Carbon Toolkit is a partner within the NCS project
The BOFIN team celebrates the one-year anniversary of the BOFIN Buzz podcast this month, along with the introduction of BASIS points for listeners.
Since the podcast launched in August 2023, 24 episodes have been published, including interviews with farmers, scientists and supply chain experts, and covering topics from slugs and soils to pulses and weeds.
Hosted by BOFIN founder Tom Allen-Stevens the podcast has been well received by farmers and others in the industry who enjoy its conversational style.
“We find the podcast a really useful way to learn from the expertise of the many farmers and partners we work with through BOFIN, and I’ve found the conversations we’ve had so far absolutely fascinating,” says Tom “It’s very rewarding that listeners find the topics interesting and inspiring too.
“The BOFIN team has plenty of ideas on how to develop the podcast further so watch this space!”
BASIS points
One recent advance is that from September BASIS members can claim CPD points for tuning in.
“We’re delighted that the educational value of the podcasts has been recognised by BASIS and hope that this will encourage even more people to listen,” added Tom.
The BOFIN Buzz can be accessed via your chosen podcast provider for example Apple podcasts or Spotify, or via the BOFIN website. BASIS members can claim one point per one hour of podcast content – follow the instructions given in the episode on how to claim.