Agri-tech goes intergalactic at Riseholme
| Education
The Riseholme Campus of the University of Lincoln has joined the UK ’ s national network of monitoring stations measuring intergalactic cosmic rays to provide farmers and agri-tech researchers with near real-time data on soil moisture levels .
G rasslands at the campus have been fitted with cutting-edge meteorological and soil monitoring instruments as part of the national Cosmic-ray Soil Moisture Observing System ( COSMOS-UK ) project .
“ Data derived from these instruments at Riseholme and elsewhere provide near real time soil moisture data in a way that could transform farming , flood planning and environmental management in the near future ”
Led by the UK ' s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and funded by the Natural Environment Research Council ( NERC ), the COSMOS-UK project launched in 2013 and now includes 40 sites stretching from Glensaugh in
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Scotland to The Lizard in Cornwall , with further installations planned .
Riseholme is the first location in Lincolnshire to be added to the national network of monitoring stations . Once calibrated , the technology will help to inform research by scientists from the University ' s Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology ( LIAT ), as well researchers at other universities and research institutions .
Each COSMOS-UK site is fitted with a cosmic-ray soil moisture sensor which measures high energy sub atomic particles known as ‘ fast neutrons ’. These naturallyoccurring neutrons are generated by cosmic rays when they enter the Earth ' s atmosphere from both inside and outside our own Milky Way Galaxy . Other instruments below the soil surface provide point measurements of soil moisture , temperature and heat flux to complement the cosmic-ray measurements . The system can provide accurate , near-real time estimates of soil moisture for an area of up to 12 hectares .
Preserving and managing the Great British countryside is no easy job – particularly with an increased push on ensuring the sustainability of our land .
Above the surface , each site is also fitted with an automatic weather station which provides temperature , humidity , atmospheric pressure , wind speed and wind direction data . This includes a weighing rain gauge and a radiometer measuring long and short wave , incoming and outgoing radiation .
All instrumentation is designed to operate remotely and return data automatically to the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology at Wallingford , Oxfordshire . Data from each site can be viewed online in near real-time through the CEH COSMOS-UK website .
Professor Simon Pearson , Director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology ( LIAT ) at the University of Lincoln said : " We are extremely proud and excited to be part of the national network of COSMOS-UK soil moisture monitoring sites . Lincolnshire is responsible for 10 per cent of all agricultural production in England , so it is right that we contribute to this important national project . “ Data derived from these instruments at Riseholme and elsewhere provide near real-time soil moisture data in a way that could transform farming , flood planning and environmental management in the near future . This has the potential to bring great benefits for our region ' s farmers . Already researchers are examining how this wealth of data can be used to improve irrigation , manage flood risk and make more accurate crop yield forecasts ." Dr Jonathan Evans , CEH COSMOS-UK Technical Lead , commented : “ CEH are delighted that LIAT have supported the COSMOS-UK network so enthusiastically – it is only with such land owner cooperation that we can cost-effectively install and maintain COSMOS-UK field stations across the UK . Standardised national long-term soil moisture monitoring will help us to better manage water resource demand , particularly in lower rainfall areas in eastern England , to develop new drought indicators and mitigation strategies .”
M oulton College have been training the next generation since 1921 . Students learn on the commercially farmed 550 hectare estate where a wide range of crops are farmed and a beef enterprise has been established . All of this alongside the specialist workshops , mean that students enjoy the very best resources at Moulton College . It isn ’ t just agriculture either , with courses in arboriculture and countryside management ; if you enjoy the great outdoors you are sure to find the perfect course at Moulton . Whether you ’ re just finishing school , looking to change career or just develop new skills , Moulton College have hands-on further education , degree level courses and apprenticeships to help you take the next step . With an experienced team , great links to the industry and groundbreaking research , Moulton will help you to succeed and prepare you for a career in your chosen area . Why not take a look for yourself and discover what Moulton College can offer you , visit moulton . ac . uk to book on for one of the next Open Events . For further information please contact Moulton College on 01604 491131 or alternatively email enquiries @ moulton . ac . uk
www . farmingmonthly . co . uk February 2017 | Farming Monthly | 45