Dive into the latest episode of the Global Trends series, where we unearth the significance of soil health in today's agricultural landscape. Hosted by Ann Helena and Adrian Bell, this episode features a panel of experts including agronomist Michael McNeill, research soil scientist Dianna Bagnall, Field Engineer Manager Piero Torassa, and farmer-adviser Sarah Bell.
Discover the importance of World Soil Day, designated by the United Nations, and learn why soil health is paramount for our environment. We also explore the intricate balance of chemical, physical, and biological properties that make soil the lifeblood of agriculture.
From the role of soil in climate change to the impact of modern machinery on soil compaction, this episode delves deep into the challenges and solutions surrounding soil health. Our guests share insights on sustainable farming practices, the potential of soil to sequester carbon, and the importance of mentorship and local expertise in guiding farmers.
Whether you're a farmer, an environmental enthusiast, or just curious about the future of agriculture, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the ground beneath our feet
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Michael McNeill -
Dianna Bagnall -
Piero Torassa -
Sarah Bell
- World Soil Day, established by the United Nations, aims to increase awareness of the environmental importance of soil.
- Soil formation is a slow process, with approximately 400 years required to develop one centimeter of soil, while soil erosion can lead to the loss of one millimeter in just one year.
- Healthy soils possess the ability to sequester nearly ten percent of carbon emissions within the next 25 years, playing a crucial role in combating climate change.
Michael McNeill is a PhD agronomist trained at Iowa State University. In 1983 he started Ag Advisory Ltd, an independent agricultural consulting service providing genetic, agronomic and economic consultation for farmers. Michael also developed research work on remote sensing using GPS technologies involving aerial photographing of the land mass of a five-state area in the Midwest. He is currently researching methods to efficiently rejuvenate damaged agricultural soils.
Her research includes developing functions that show the effect of soil carbon on plant-available water, on-farm soil health assessments, qualitative analysis of farmer interviews, development of novel soil structure scanning methodology, and both measurement and modeling of preferential water flow in shrink-swell soils.
He graduated at the University of Genoa in Thermophysical of insulating materials and started his experience in the tire business after university.
During his daily work, he provides technical assistance for customers together with engineering and technical expertise.
His job also consists in testing tires. He monitors the tire performance and the quality of BKT’s products.
Sarah Bell is a farmer in Rutland. She holds a degree in Food Supply Chain Management, Agriculture and Food Science. Sarah is an OFC Emerging Leader and has completed the Windsor Women in Leadership programme. Sarah has trained with the Cambridge University Institute for Sustainability Leadership and has a diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing. She has spoken at the Financial Times Global Food Systems Summit and at the Oxford Farming Conference.
