May 13, 2026
Farmers are under increasing pressure to produce food efficiently while reducing environmental impacts. Simultaneously, rivers across the UK are facing growing challenges from diffuse pollution, sediment run-off, and unpredictable weather patterns. These issues consistently lead back to soil health, a fundamental concern for food production, as well as the health of freshwater habitats.
As part of our partnership project with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), we explored strip-tillage machinery as a potential mediator between farming practices and soil. Sitting between conventional ploughing and no-tillage systems, strip-tillage offers a more balanced, accessible approach to reducing soil disturbance. By cultivating narrow strips of soil for planting, the majority of the soil between the strips is left undisturbed, maintaining an appropriate seedbed for crops.
The connection between soil health and river condition is vital. When soil is stable and porous, less sediment and nutrients are washed into nearby watercourses. Practices such as strip-tillage can play a key role in preventing compacted soil from damaging our important river habitats.
To demonstrate both the challenges and benefits of using strip-tillage machinery, we developed a case study with input from three farmers across Norfolk to document their experiences, especially regarding their soil health concerns. Each farm had different techniques, soil types, and crop rotations. By using strip-tillage to reduce soil disturbance whilst maintaining structure, the equipment can help retain soil moisture and support crop growth even during extreme weather conditions, thereby reducing the risk of erosion and run-off.
Read the case study here.
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