Page Text

CONTENTS 

22

Are ruminants to blame for the rising methane levels?

36

The future threat of fungal diseases

NEWS

Measuring food for nutrient density

20

FEATURES

Measuring biodiversity

33

TECHNICAL

I C H A R D B EC K E R

I M A G E A L A M YR

C O V E R

6 OPINION Our gut microbiome 8 FARMER & GROWER BOARD Trade tariffs, carbon and red meat 9 NEWS ROUND-UP State of Nature Report, climate emergency, nature-friendly hill farms and much more 14 MARKET NEWS Shoppers’ attitudes shaping the market 16 BUSINESS MATTERS Red meat opportunities, African swine fever and farm business income 18 ORGANIC MATTERS Report from the first OGA conference 29 INNOVATIVE FARMERS Round-up of some of the latest field labs

20 FOOD FOR NUTRITION Role of microbes in nutrient dense food 22 COVER FEATURE METHANE AND MICROBES A look at the science and the role of methane-eating microbes 33 TAKING STOCK OF BIODIVERSITY How to monitor environmental outcomes 36 DISEASES, PESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE The threat from fungal pathogens 38 POTATOES WITHOUT COPPER The future of potato growing 58 ORKNEY FARMING Steven Wylie of Swartland Farm

26 RESEARCH Pesticide cocktail, apples, biochar and more 42 IS YOUR SOIL ALIVE? Ways to improve soil biology plus some simple tests to carry out 44 BOVINE TB – PROTECT YOUR HERD Guidance and the latest research 46 USING WOODCHIP IN HORTICULTURAL SYSTEMS The use of woodchip in plant propagation, hotbeds, mulching and tree health 48 ORGANIC WHEAT TRIALS Results from the second year of trials 50 USEFUL BOOKS AND APPS Review of Mycorrhizal Planet by Michael Phillips