NCS Logo

Farmers taking part in and getting paid for on-farm trials as part of the NCS Project.

The Nitrogen Efficient Plants for Climate Smart Arable Cropping Systems (NCS) Project is aimed at increasing pulse and legume cropping in arable rotations to 20% across the UK (Currently 5%). In addition, up to 50% of imported soya meal used in livestock feed rations can be replaced by home-grown legumes. As part of this project, farmer-led trials carried out by ‘Pulse Pioneers’ will inform the practices to achieve these goals.

What is a Pulse Pioneer?

Farmers taking part in and getting paid for on-farm trials as part of the NCS Project.

If you have a pulse crop or plan to grow one this year, we’re looking to support farmers who want to trial ways to improve their crop’s performance. We’re particularly keen to set up a rotational platform that monitors the benefits of pulse cops over the rotation.

See advice on conducting on-farm trials here.

What are the requirements?

  • Your farm is/will be carbon baselined by Farm Carbon Toolkit - Guidance available here.
  • You will take N-min samples of your field (support and cost provided)
  • Accrue Project Ambassador Points by interacting with PulsePEP members online.
  • Enter the YEN Network (support and cost provided)
  • Commit at least one field to monitor for the duration of the project (up to and including harvest 2027)
  • Join as a PulsePEP member (this is free – complete the form below the Pulse Pioneer sign-up form or by following this link: https://nt81r5aq6lg.typeform.com/to/CRGRAZBN

How to get involved?

If this sounds like something you could be interested in, contact [email protected] for full contract details and complete the survey below or by following this link: https://nt81r5aq6lg.typeform.com/to/K6YM6mrv.

 

Pulse Pioneers Sign-up form:

 

PulsePEP Sign-up form:

 

Related Organisations

Connected Content

ADAS provides ideas, specialist knowledge and solutions to secure our food and enhance the environment. We understand food production and the challenges and opportunities faced by organisations operating in the natural environment

Pulses are leguminous crops harvested for dry protein-rich seed, with peas (pisum sativum) and beans (vicia faba) being the major crops in the UK.

Agrii harnesses the power of skilled agronomists and the best intelligence to deliver unrivalled expertise and support for sustainable and profitable farming systems in the UK. 

The Farm Carbon Toolkit was created by farmers for farmers. For over a decade, we’ve worked to further the understanding of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. We provide tools and services to measure impact and run projects with farmers that inspire action on the ground. Our vision is a farming sector that minimises its carbon emissions and maximises its carbon sequestration, whilst producing quality food and a wide range of public goods, all produced by resilient and profitable farm businesses. Some people call this vision a regenerative farming future.  

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) was established in 2012 through the merger of the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) with Barony, Elmwood and Oatridge Colleges. Through these institutions, we can trace our lineage back over 100 years.

As the UK's centre of excellence for peas and beans, the PGRO has a long and highly valued track record of providing authoritative, up to date information and project work based on solid, reliable research.

On Farm Experimentation (OFE) is increasingly being recognised as having transformative power in improving performance in agricultural systems across the world.

The British On-Farm Innovation Network   A network of farmers who carry out their own on-farm trials and share the results, seeking a scientifically robust way to progress farm practice.

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally

The James Hutton Institute combines strengths in crops, soils and land use and environmental research, and makes a major contribution to the understanding of key global issues, such as food, energy and environmental security, and developing and promoting effective technological and management solutions to these.

LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) is the leading charity organisation delivering more sustainable food and farming. They work with farmers, the food industry, scientists and consumers, to inspire and enable sustainable farming that is prosperous, enriches the environment and engages local communities.

Field beans (vicia faba) are a widely grown break crop across the UK on around 170,000 ha. 

Peas (pisum sativum) are grown either for combining dry seed (combining peas) or harvesting fresh as a vegetable or for freezing (vining peas).

The Allerton Project researches the effects of different farming methods on wildlife and the environment, sharing results of our research through advisory and educational activities. This is undertaken on our 320 hectare demonstration farm based in Leicestershire, United Kingdom.

The key GHGs for agriculture that contribute directly to climate change are:  Carbon dioxide (CO2)  Methane (CH4)  Nitrous oxide (N2O)   All these GHGs are often grouped under the umbrella term ‘carbon’. 

This guide is designed to help Pulse Pioneers to upload their trials to PulsePEP as part of the NCS Project.