Cranfield University Experimental Farm
Cranfield University is recognised internationally for its work in relation to soil and water management and the interface between agriculture and the environment. This is underpinned by our specialist expertise and a range of laboratory and field research facilities. Largest of these is the Cranfield University Experimental Farm. This is a commercially-run farm which is used, in parallel, for field scientific and engineering research. A map of Cranfield University Experimental Farm is available here.
Located at Silsoe, the Cranfield University Experimental Farm comprises 120 hectares of arable land with a number of small farm woods and a mature agro-forestry trial site.
Research
The farm overlies a range of contrasting soils draining to either groundwater or local surface waters. It offers facilities for:
- Replicated plot experiments in contrasting soils
- Field and subcatchment scale research
- Machinery studies on a range of soils and crops
- Research into integrated soil and water management
- Whole systems and integrated land use studies
- Water well and irrigation studies
- Off-road capability studies
Recent projects demonstrate the diversity of work undertaken at the Cranfield University Experimental Farm:
- The impact of modern agricultural equipment on buried artefacts - Defra and English Heritage project with Oxford Archaeology
- The effectiveness of organo-mineral fertilisers -United Utilities
- Injection of sewage sludge and farm slurries into soil
- Tillage energy studies
- Water use efficiency of willow short rotation coppice - DTI, European Willow Breeding partnership, ADAS, Rothamsted Research
- Effect of silvoarable agroforestry on farm biodiversity and profitability - Defra
- Changes in soil physical and chemical conditions from compost incorporation.
Education and training
In addition to research, the farm is used by staff as a teaching resource and students conduct their own field studies and experimental work. A number of soil and water-focused short courses also make use of the farm.
Further information
A pdf brochure for the Cranfield University Experimental Farm is available here.
For more information please contact naturalresources@cranfield.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1234 750111 ext. 2733.
Related facilities
Our Off-Road Dynamics Facility is the only centre of its type in the UK to study the relationship between machines and the soil environment in controlled conditions. This provides important research information to a number of diverse industries, including automotive, aviation, agricultural, construction, sports surface, defence and telecommunications.
Dedicated laboratories are available for the study of:
- soil engineering
- soil erosion
- soil-plant-water interactions
- water quality
- irrigation and drainage
- hydraulics
- ecosystem behaviour.
New laboratories have specialist capabilities in soil chemistry and biology, and we own land which is used for field trials and research investigations. Additional state-of-the-art facilities exist for research into the playability and management of natural sports surfaces, including our biological and chemical analysis facilities, soil flume - the largest in Europe - and remove sensing laboratories.
