Crops

Pests and diseases

• Pest, weeds and diseases can adversely affect your productivity. Be aware of the best methods and techniques to combat them.
• DAERA: Crops and horticulture
• Farming Advisory Service (Scotland): Crops and Soils

Fertilisers

• If you farm in Northern Ireland you must be aware of the Nitrate and Phosphate rules that apply when applying fertiliser to your land.
• In Scotland, rules apply to the application of fertilisers with additional rules for farms within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones
• NetRegs: Fertiliser application
• NetRegs: Fertiliser regulations
• DAERA: Code of good agricultural practice for Reduction of Ammonia Emissions

Biobeds

• Biobeds can be used to prevent equipment washings from causing pollution.
• Check and see if constructing a biobed would be of benefit to you
• Check that no authorisation from your environmental regulator is required for washings.
• The Voluntary Initiative: Biobeds
• NI Business Info: Disposal of Pesticides
• Scottish Government: Code of Practice - Using plant protection products

Organic crop production

• There are certification bodies that provide guidance covering converting to organic production and the standards that are required for organic certification.
• Organic methods reduce the risk of water pollution by removing many of the chemicals that can cause harm to the environment.
• Soil Association: What is organic farming?
• Organic Farmers and Growers
• DAERA: Organic production - general guide
• Scottish Organic Producers  Association
• SRUC: Organic Farming