SNH Publishes Innovative Online Farming Guide

10th November 2007

A revised version of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)'s online handbook of advice for farmers - packed with ideas on innovative farming technology - has been published. The Targeted Inputs for a Better Rural Environment (TIBRE) Arable Handbook features 44 technologies and techniques to help Scotland's arable farmers become more eco-efficient and in many cases improve their profits.

Distributed via the SNH TIBRE www.snh.org.uk/tibre the TIBRE Arable Handbook includes additions such as managing the increase in resistance problems and new diagnostics that enable fungal, viral and bacterial diseases of potatoes to be quickly and accurately identified, so saving on pesticide costs and reducing the environmental load. The Handbook also includes new information on product innovations and technological advances in pesticide use, sprayer decontamination and variety choice.

Dr Keith Dawson, SAC Principal Crops Consultant said: "We believe that there is no conflict between good environmental stewardship and farm business profitability, indeed these days they go hand in hand. The TIBRE manual is an invaluable guide for farmers and advisers to help guide them in choosing technologies and practices to benefit their businesses. Even with higher grain prices it is important that growers still focus on cost control and environmental stewardship and bring as much of the extra revenue through to the bottom line, whilst maintaining sustainability. The new revised TIBRE manual helps growers to meet both these needs."

The TIBRE Arable Handbook is a unique Scottish initiative developed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) with help from farmers and advisers. It aims to help farmers improve the economics of crop production in ways that also help them meet environmental standards and protect the wildlife and amenity value of the countryside. New technologies, through the optimisation of inputs, can help reduce the carbon footprint of crop production and save on energy costs.

The new material updates the version of the Handbook published in 2005, which is still available in folder form from SNH. Other topics covered include advice on better timing and targeting of agrochemicals, improved decision-making and waste management.

SNH TIBRE www.snh.org.uk/tibre