Diss Monitor Farm: Top 5 lessons from Norfolk farming trials

A Norfolk farmer has revealed the key lessons learned from four years of trials and scrutiny as part of the Monitor Farm network.

Rookery Farm, at Wortham, near Diss, is nearing the end of its term as the Diss Monitor Farm, part of the national initiative run by the AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board).

The scheme shares industry knowledge by bringing farmers into a real-world setting to view trials on cropping and cultivations, to discuss both successes and failures, and to analyse the impact on costs, productivity, the environment and profits.

Richard Ling speaking to farmers during one of the meetings at the AHDB Diss Monitor Farm (Image: AHDB)

Farm manager Richard Ling said the process acted as a focal point for addressing the industry's many recent challenges - including the Covid pandemic, which prolonged the usual three-year duration of the project.

And although sharing data on new ideas had been "daunting", it had generated some valuable lessons which he hopes others can now benefit from.

"It has been daunting and exhilarating, all at the same time," he said. "It has taken me out of my comfort zone, but in a good way.

"It has made us more resilient as a business and made me more resourceful, because I have had to adapt.

"Where we have found the most benefit is where things that have not gone as we thought they should, but that then got these great discussions going.

Strategies for minimising soil compaction damage from heavy farm machines were among the trials at Diss Monitor Farm (Image: Chris Hill)

"It was lots of little things rather than one big one. We all get hung up on wanting to find the big thing that's going to make a difference. But actually it is the 1pc gains that we have made in lots of different areas that have made the biggest difference."

READ MORE: Colman family's Norfolk estate becomes new AHDB Monitor Farm

Mr Ling highlighted five key lessons from the Diss Monitor Farm trials.

On the changing mindset, Mr Ling added: "Over the last four years, who would have thought we would have had so much to deal with?

"I would say they must have been some of the most challenging set of circumstances to have happened in such close proximity. Being an agri-leader during this period has been tough and rewarding all at the same time.

"I am clear now though one of the best strategies we can use in our businesses, especially a farming business, is to take the emotion out and look at the facts."

Richard Ling at Rookery Farm near Diss, which has been part of the AHDB Monitor Farms network since 2019 (Image: Liz Bishop)

Mr Ling will host Diss Monitor Farm's final meeting and summer farm walk later this month.

The event, from 9.30am-1pm on Tuesday, June 20, will look at cropping for harvest 2023 as well as discussing novel wheat nutrition trials, pest management and break crop options.

The event is free to attend, but registration is required via the AHDB website.