Farming Monthly National April 2016 | Page 11

| On Topic Liz Bowles co-ordinating compost tea field lab Sophie Alexander - Hemsworth farm of micro-organism in soil that forms symbiotic relationships with plants roots, breaking down complex carbon compounds and returning nitrogen to the soil – which subsequently allows the crop to absorb more nitrogen and phosphorous, essential as fertiliser. Sophie Alexander, of Hemsworth Farm, said; “I first read about the compost tea brewer a few years ago and was intrigued. Through the Soil Association I found out about the Innovative Farmers group, and discovered that I wasn’t alone in my fascination. I joined the group and ran trials across 40 ha of spring barley at Hemsworth – I had initially thought of trialling compost teas off the back of a quad bike with a backpack sprayer! “I will be continuing with the Innovative Farmers group as although we have had amazing results t