TWO free events have been organised by Catchment Sensitive Farming to help farmers reduce operating costs, increase productivity and reduce their impact upon the environment.

“Precision Farming – Does it pay?” is at Spofforth Cricket Club on Wednesday (25th), from 10am. A free lunch will be followed by practical demonstrations of precision farming technology, courtesy of Ripon Farm Services and T H Heslop & Son.

Ian Beecher-Jones, from HGCA & the Soil and Water Management Centre, will explain how precision farming works and the cost benefits and opportunities. He will highlight the costs of inaccuracy and variation to help farmers decide whether it suits their farm.

He said: “The number of farmers using precision equipment is comparatively low because it is the bigger farms for which the technology is generally more cost-effective. For smaller producers the technology might be considered unaffordable but can offer significant benefits to their business.”

Information about possible grants towards the cost of equipment, and to improve production and resource efficiency, will also be given.

The second event about Soil Biology is at the same venue on Tuesday, March 10, at 10am. A line-up of excellent speakers will share valuable information on understanding how soil biology and organic matter are linked to increasing crop yield, greening measures and planning cover cropping in rotations.

To book a place on either event call the Nidderdale AONB office or email aonbevents@harrogate.gov.uk or see soilandwater.org.uk/events.