ORGANIC SOIL IMPROVER: Providing a full nutritional profile for you soil to make it healthier and more productive
Spring finally feels as though it has arrived, but with many fields coming into the season off the back of wet winter weather that saturated soils, managing and improving soil biology, now, is a top priority.
With conditions improving, farmers are being presented with the opportunity to boost soil health and optimise nutrition early in newly growing crops. Unlocking underground activity is essential when it comes to optimising soil health; future success doesn’t always start where you can see it!
Soil testing in spring can be a good way to determine the state of soils and help growers identify the levels of bacteria, fungi and protozoa in soils to give an indication of the health of their underground livestock. Taking this view ahead of spring management work is also being seen to help offset overheads traditionally spent on synthetic fertilisers.
There’s no escaping the volatility of fertiliser prices currently, with reports far and wide reflecting how geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to intensify their impact on market value. The disruption of supply chains into the UK is a distinct possibility, meaning premiums have increased across gas, oil and freight markets. And, with the UK being highly dependent on the Middle East for key input imports, especially fertiliser, there are risks that costs could increase as production reduces, ultimately impacting prices and margins for farmers tied into fertiliser-dependent cropping systems.
Will Marris, Regenerative Agronomist & Soil Consultant at Terrafarmer, said: “With the recent sharp rise in nitrogen price, improving efficiency this season will be vital. Soil improvers, in my case Sea2Soil, help by feeding amino acids into the soil and plants, and feed biology to help with nutrient cycling. We have used Sea2Soil for a number of years at Terrafamer and have always been impressed with the results. Last year, we put it to the test during the Terrafarmer Biologicals Project on 5 farms across Wales. It showed good improvements to soil biological indicators, alongside forage quality and leaf nutrient content. At the farm at home and other customers’ farms, I have found Sea2Soil drives clover growth in grass/clover or diverse leys. Applying S2S seems to drive clover above-ground biomass, but more importantly, drives nodulation (nodule formation and size, alongside the trace minerals, calcium/boron/molybdenum, required to fix atmospheric N into plant available forms) to increase clover’s N fixation. Sea2Soil has become a vital component in my foliar nitrogen mixes, providing a carbon source to buffer the urea and feed plant available amino acids into the leaf to drive growth and, more importantly, nitrogen use efficiency. In an arable context, I use it as part of my pest management strategy, for example, 10L/Ha at 2-3 leaf in cereals to help manage aphids and prime soil biology, alongside balanced nutrition. If farmers are looking to try a foliar nitrogen approach, then the addition of a product like this one is a fundamental part of a successful system.”
For cereals and oilseeds, fertiliser is one of the highest variable costs for crop production, and if fertiliser prices were to rise sharply, farm application rates could decrease as a result, potentially impacting yields and margins. Grass-based dairy or beef systems also remain exposed to fertiliser price volatility. One way in which growers could shield their farm businesses from these threats or lessen the impact is to apply a soil improver, such as Sea2Soil, to reduce the amount of synthetic NPK fertiliser required for each crop, as Grant James, Business Development Consultant for Sea2Soil explains: “Overall synthetic fertiliser reductions of up to 20-25% are realistic and possible in many situations through careful and planned use of Sea2Soil in a programmed approach. In some systems, where other regenerative and biological approaches are combined, reductions in fertiliser use could become even higher. Vitally, the health of the soil is improved at the same time, which is invaluable, so it’s a great option for growers.”
Products like Sea2Soil can be a good choice for feeding both crops and soil microorganisms, such as beneficial bacteria, which in turn release additional soil nutrients to continue feeding growing crops. Revitalising biological activity in soils fosters an environment in treated soils where beneficials, including earthworms, thrive, helping improve soil aeration, release nutrients in bioavailable form to plants, increase plant resilience to stress, and promote healthy crop growth.
This is not a flash-in-the-pan solution; the process can take time, depending on soil conditions, moisture and temperature. In most spring crops, it is far better to apply the product while the crop is young and first establishing, to provide an optimal boost of essential nutrition exactly when the crop really needs it.
As a useful source of key macronutrients and micronutrients, the right product can also help counter any leaching losses of soil nutrients like nitrogen and sulphur over the winter period, where surface water or saturated topsoil can wash away vital nutrition held in upper soils layers. These upper layers which hold the phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon will help overwintered crops or newly sown spring crops kickstart their spring growth or establishment. More farmers are starting to use the product very cost-effectively to reduce N fertiliser inputs, help soils thrive and reduce crop stress.
James Bucher, of Bucher Farms in Suffolk, added: “We’ve had great success in reducing our synthetic inputs with fish hydrolysate. As a multi-nutrient organic fertiliser and soil feed, it really suits our regenerative farming system. At Knettishall, we apply fish hydrolysate several times through the spring/early summer; we see positive crop responses and many more earthworms than we had before we started using it.”
Colin Chappell, of Chappell Farms in North Lincolnshire, commented: “We use fish hydrolysate in three ways. The main one has traditionally been to 'apologise' for moving the soil. In the early transitional years of direct drilling, when there may be a need for low-disturbance subsoiling, we need to feed soil microbes so they don't begin to destroy soil organic matter. You are providing them with another food source. Once through that stage, we are attempting to correct the soil microdome from one that has become bacterial dominant to one where you enable protozoa to feed on the bacteria, creating a more balanced or even fungal-dominant structure, again by feeding the soil microbes. We do this by adding Sea2Soil to a cocktail that can be placed around the seed at drilling. Thirdly, we have noticed how quickly plants absorb fish hydrolysate as a food source. Unlike artificial fertiliser, which has to be processed within the plant and thus has an initial energy-hungry phase, weakening cell structures, Sea2Ssoil, with its high volume of amino acids, quickly gets into the crop and can rectify deficiencies and combat things like cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape. By creating a more balanced plant, the need for higher volumes of nitrate can be offset.”
A fish hydrolysate, packed with natural amino acids and fatty acids derived from its natural fish oil content, Sea2Soil is rich in essential nutrients N (5% organic Nitrogen equivalent to several KG/ha of synthetic Nitrgoen), P and K, and also provides calcium, magnesium and other trace elements in bioavailable form, establishing a good basis for crop nutritional plans to suit all farming systems; conventional, organic or regenerative.
Versatility and ease of use are crucial to successful take-up of the product, continues Grant: “Being compatible in tank mix with a wide range of plant protection products and the ability to apply multiple applications during the growing season ensures flexibility for growers. In winter-sown crops, a split timing approach of autumn followed by early spring has been the most effective. In spring-sown crops, applying pre-drilling, pre-emergence or as soon after drilling as possible works very well.”
Making the most of organic materials, like the fish hydrolysate found in Sea2Soil, is already proving a beneficial step for growers looking to balance the real risks associated with the cost and availability of synthetic fertilisers this season.
Following a persistently wet start to the year in parts of the UK, growers are being reminded that the impact of prolonged saturation is often felt long after surface water disappears. Waterlogged soils can suppress root function, disrupt nutrient cycling and stall early crop growth, with some crops at risk where flooding has persisted for extended periods.
Alongside the Met Office - which has reported that certain areas of the South-west have experienced rainfall every single day of the year in 2026 (up until mid-February), Northern Ireland has also been reported as experiencing the wettest start to a year since records began, while many areas of Southern England, the Midlands and Wales have seen significant problems caused by recent persistent rainfall this year and extreme weather - recent commentary from Eurofins Agro UK, has underlined the importance of assessment once fields dry sufficiently.
In an article published earlier this month in Agronomist & Arable Farmer, Shane Brewer from Eurofins Agro UK stated that more soil testing is needed to ascertain soil condition following high rainfall experienced throughout most of the UK this winter and that waterlogged crops or crops trapped under flood water for more than 15 days could be lost. Eurofins also noted that the longer-term damage to soil health can only be assessed and determined by soil testing once the flooding or any surface water has subsided.
While visual symptoms above ground can be obvious, the most significant shifts often occur within the soil biology and structure:
As travel becomes possible, advisers are encouraging growers to take a measured approach before “fixing” fields by habit. Soil assessments and testing can help growers identify the levels of bacteria, fungi and protozoa in soil, a vital indication of whether the priority is restoring nutrient availability, supporting microbial recovery, improving structure and friability, or reducing crop stress while growth resumes.
Where nutrient-rich topsoil has been lost through run-off or surface water, growers may need to revisit early-season nutrition plans, especially on lighter or more vulnerable land. This is where early application of soil improvers, including Sea2Soil, can put vital nutrients back into the soil, improving soil condition, helping early crop nutrition, and also improving soil health and resilience.
Compaction risk is heightened when machinery travels on saturated ground, particularly ahead of spring cultivations, herbicide passes or early fertiliser applications. Compacted zones reduce pore space and infiltration, increasing run-off and nutrient loss during subsequent rainfall.
Industry guidance remains consistent: wait until conditions allow, minimise axle loads where possible and consider targeted alleviation only when soils are dry enough to shatter rather than smear.
As growers assess the impacts caused by wet or waterlogged fields this spring, some are looking at biologically supportive inputs and soil conditioners alongside testing and careful field traffic management. Fish hydrolysate-based soil improvers are one example, supplying organic compounds such as amino acids that may support microbial activity and soil conditioning in stressed situations.
Sea2Soil is one such product, used across a range of farming systems. The company says the aim is to support the soil microbiome as well as the crop, contributing to improved structure and resilience over time. Success isn’t always something you can see, but it certainly starts in the soil.
*Growers should always follow label guidance, seek independent advice where needed and avoid applying any product to saturated, flooded or unsuitable conditions.
Season One of The Sea2Soil Podcast is complete! Across six episodes, we’ve heard from six expert voices and listened to their insights into the future of soil health and regenerative farming.
And what a journey it's been. From conservation agriculture principles to real-world regenerative systems, from microbial activity to amino acid applications, we’ve explored the challenges and opportunities facing modern farming through honest, expert-led conversations.
Hosted by our Business Development Manager, Grant James, each episode brought together leading voices from across the UK and Europe to tackle the questions that matter most to growers, agronomists, and farm advisors working to build healthier, more resilient farming systems.
What we covered
We kicked off with Steve Townsend from Soil First Farming, who set the tone by explaining why chemistry, physics, and biology must work together for truly healthy soils. Steve’s insights into conservation agriculture and the role of BASE-UK in farmer-led knowledge exchange reminded us that sustainable change happens through community and shared learning.
Regen Ben opened the doors to his Herefordshire farm in Episode Two, showing us regenerative farming in action. His candid discussion about profitability, biodiversity gains, and how Sea2Soil fits into his system across cereals, potatoes, and agroforestry proved that regenerative practices and commercial success can go hand-in-hand.
In Episode Three, James Warne from Soil First Farming introduced us to the concept of ‘underground livestock’, exploring how feeding soil microorganisms is just as crucial as feeding the crops above ground. His practical advice on boosting microbial activity gave listeners tangible steps to improve soil health from the ground up.
Joel Williams delivered a masterclass in Episode Four, breaking down the science of amino acids and soil conditioners. His expert knowledge on application timing, particularly heading into autumn, offered invaluable guidance for growers looking to enhance soil fertility and build long-term productivity.
Episode Five took us to Claydon Farms with Simon Revell, where we explored two years of Sea2Soil trials alongside the Claydon Opti-Drill System. Simon’s insights into establishment technology, soil structure, and upcoming Net Zero trial work with Nottingham University showed the exciting direction farm innovation is heading.
We closed the season with Marian Dichevski, who gave us a window into farming in Bulgaria and across Europe. Marian’s perspective on climate challenges, drought conditions, and the growing need for products like Sea2Soil in European markets reminded us that soil health is a global conversation.
The bigger picture
Running through every episode, however, was a commitment to practical, implementable knowledge. These weren’t theoretical discussions. They were field-based insights from people working directly with soils, facing real challenges and finding real solutions that are already working in their fields.
Whether you’re exploring regenerative practices for the first time or fine-tuning an established hybrid system, this podcast season offered something for everyone.
To our guests: thank you for your time, your expertise, and your willingness to share openly about both successes and challenges. Your contributions have created a resource that will support farmers and advisors for seasons to come.
To everyone who listened, subscribed, and shared episodes: thank you for being part of this community. The feedback we’ve received has been genuinely encouraging, and it’s clear these conversations are resonating with people working to farm better, smarter, and more sustainably.
What’s next?
All six episodes remain available to stream on Spotify and watch on YouTube. If you missed any along the way, now’s the perfect time to catch up. Each episode stands alone, so dive in wherever your interests lie.
As for what comes next, watch this space. The conversations around soil health and regenerative farming are far from over, and we’re committed to continuing to bring expert voices and practical insights to the community. 2026 is already looking very exciting…
Terrafarmer-run farm trials, funded through an Innovate UK research project, are testing and comparing a range of different biological stimulants applied to grassland. Results so far have shown their potential to reduce inputs and improve grass quality.
How has Sea2Soil performed?
Sea2Soil fish hydrolysate delivers a wide range of plant-available amino acids, macronutrients and trace elements to both the crop and soil. Sea2Soil performed very highly in all trial measurements taken, including giving increases in kilograms of dry matter (DM)/ha, crude protein, trace element availability, and microbial biomass, when compared with a control treatment.
According to regenerative agronomist and soil consultant Will Marris at Terrafarmer, a number of products tested (including Sea2Soil) are improving crude proteins and sugar. “If that goes into a silage clamp, you’ve got more sugars for the fermentation process. If you get a better fermentation, you get better-quality forage.”
Out of 7 biological product treatments tested in the trials (over 7 different farm sites), Sea2Soil ranked No.1 and performed highest for crude protein improvement (at 136.225 g/kg) compared to all other products and the control treatment. Sea2Soil also ranked No.3 out of all treatments for improving microbial biomass in mid-season assessments taken. Each farm trial site used large 20 x 160m strips to test all treatments and baseline analysis measurements were taken for all products tested for comparative purposes.
Sea2Soil fish hydrolysate, as a naturally high source of protein and carbohydrate, is a perfect choice for improving soil biology. “By feeding the beneficial underground livestock in the soil i.e. the bacteria and fungi, these in turn are helping with the mobilisation of vital trace minerals such as boron, manganese, and magnesium,” says Grant James, Business Development Manager, Sea2Soil.
Soil, leaf, and forage tests from the trials show more of those nutrients being readily plant-available moving from the soil into the leaf, and therefore into the forage. “This could even reduce the need to supplement trace minerals given to livestock through licks or drenches,” suggests Will.
How biologicals like Sea2Soil work to benefit plants
Traditional fertilisers such as urea or ammonium nitrate prills have an efficiency rate of about 50%. By contrast, solubilised and foliar-applied alternatives can be almost twice as efficient, so less nitrogen is needed. “If foliar nitrogen is applied with biologicals such as molasses, fish hydrolysate, and fulvic acid, nitrogen use efficiency is improved, as you’re applying plant-available nitrogen to the leaf, which is a more direct route into the plant. That’s safer for the plant, but also beneficial and safer for the soil,” explains Will. “You’re feeding the plant and the soil at the same time, and the nitrogen doesn’t get lost via volatilisation or tied up in the carbon and nitrogen cycles in the soil.”
By applying biological and soluble fertilisers like Sea2Soil, farmers can build soil function and fertility, carbon and organic matter, all generally at reduced cost. “Biologicals are inherently more sustainable than a manufactured synthetic nitrogen source,” continues Will. “We’re not saying don’t use any, just try to use a bit less and make it more efficient.”
Valuable cost savings being realised
Using biological and foliar fertilisers can also bring significant cost savings. For example, a grass-based, multicut system might use 250kg/ha of nitrogen. Based on a standard urea application, using a 46% urea product, at a cost of 46p/kg, the cost would be £115/ha. Will explains: “Where we have added in two biological products, molasses and fish hydrolysate (Sea2Soil), to the foliar nitrogen mix, we had a saving of £5/ha,” he says. “A total cost of £110/ha to get a more efficient form of nitrogen into the plant, while reducing nitrogen use by 20%, is quite significant – and you’re feeding the soil.” He adds that nitrogen application rates can, over time, be reduced even further.
“You could easily reduce inputs starting at 25% to 50%, but that wants to be done over a few years in a managed reduction,” he advises. In addition, there is the potential for farmers to save on inputs such as mineral supplements because of the improved flow of nutrients from soil to forage with Sea2Soil and other biologicals.
Timing of application is important
The time of day and weather conditions can make a significant difference to the effectiveness of biologicals and foliar nitrogen, Will says: “If you’re looking at foliar nitrogen plus biologicals, it’s important to time your application right. Early in the morning is a good time, because that’s when the stomata are open.”
He adds that in the morning, especially, the plant will not be overly stressed, so is better at taking in the product, leading to greater efficiencies. While temperature is an important consideration, UV index and humidity should be considered first when applying biological fertilisers and foliar applications.
“When you have a high UV index, the plant is conserving moisture, and it’s not going to want to take in any nutrition,” says Will. “So the biological fertiliser or soluble nitrogen will sit on the leaf and can scorch or burn it, particularly if you’ve got urea in there. It’s best to apply these when the UV index is low and humidity is high. Humidity means moisture, and that means stomata are open to take in these products.”
Sea2Soil recommends applying the product to grassland in 2 or 3 split applications in early spring, mid-spring and late-spring or early summer, and it is also worth taking into consideration grazing cycles as well, so product application is timed around those periods, as Grant explains: “For grassland and herbal leys, applying Sea2Soil at 10 L/ha just before the start of the active spring growth period sets a good baseline and then follow-up with at least one repeat application in May.”
Multiple Sea2Soil foliar applications of 5-10 L/ha can be made in the season up to 3-6 times a year, and Terrafarmer trials work is showing that a ‘little but often’ approach to applications can work well in many grassland situations.
For more information about trials work with Sea2Soil or about using the product this season, please contact Grant James directly.
T: 07976 879646
Acknowledgments: Sea2Soil would like to acknowledge Terrafarmer Innovate-UK trials work and
FW / FWi 04 Nov 2025 article ‘Biological Stimulants: Are they good for grassland?’, read the full article here.
Keeping winter crops healthy to set up well for early spring 2026 looks to be even more vital this season given the very rapid establishment and initial crop growth around UK farms this autumn.
Winter crops including cereals, oilseeds and pulses have established extremely well on the whole this season in response to being drilled into good seedbeds, with sufficient moisture and relatively mild temperatures, which encouraged rapid germination and early growth conditions.
This pronounced early growth and extra plant biomass that many crops now have will need careful subsequent management over the coming winter period, especially as they head into early spring next year. Forward crops can very easily suffer as they come out of winter if sufficient nutrition, a healthy soil environment and soil microbiome is lacking.
A critical stage for crop growth and development, ensuring good soil health and correct plant nutrition before the onset of new spring growth will be essential to enhance and protect yields and profitability. All in the hope of avoiding a repeat of lower yielding crops in 2025.
Of course, we cannot predict what the weather will do next year but, experience tells us that increasing the health and resilience of our soils, through use of soil amendments like Sea2Soil, is getting more important each year as we see changing climatic patterns. Helping crops through difficult periods and extremes of drought, heat or flooding is a part of farm management that is becoming more vital.
“Feeding the soil is part and parcel of feeding the crops. Ensuring good soil health by applying Sea2Soil in early spring feeds the underground livestock in our soils, fostering beneficial microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and protozoa, and earthworms, which in turn help support more resilient crops,” says Grant James, UK Business Development Manager, Sea2Soil.
Split applications of Sea2Soil are recommended for all winter crops in both early autumn and early spring. This coincides with some of the most important periods in a crop’s life, where the first 30-60 days help a crop establish, develop shoots and roots in autumn before the main phase of growth and development in the crop kicks in during the early spring, once soil and air temperatures begin to rise after winter.
“Sea2Soil promotes a biologically active soil substrate, so the soil has better aeration, can retain moisture and releases nutrients in a bio-available form to plants, contributing to better stress tolerance in plants and promoting healthy growth of crops,” explains Grant James.
Cereal crops in particular can be vulnerable at these key stages if sufficient nutrition and soil health is not in place in soils to support them. Application of Sea2Soil is versatile and can be combined with other inputs such as early T0 spring fungicides, early spring herbicides or other crop nutrition applications.
Sea2Soil fish hydrolysate is a versatile soil improver that can be utilised by both the soil microbiome and the plant directly and contains a full range of naturally balanced amino acids and fatty acids. Rich in essential macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the product also provides vital micronutrients like calcium, magnesium and other trace elements in a bioavailable formulation, establishing a good basis for any crop nutritional plan. All these nutrients play a critical role in plant growth and development phases in the spring, flowering and yield-set. Helping the soil early this spring really will help the crops deliver healthier growth, yields and quality.
To find out more about early spring applications of Sea2Soil in either winter crops or ahead of establishing spring crops, please contact Grant James:
T: 07976 879646
In Episode six of The Sea2Soil Podcast, Grant sits down with Bulgarian grower and agribusiness expert, Marian Dichevski, to talk about farming through drought, making pragmatically regenerative choices, and where biology‑centred nutrition fits in a modern system.
Across Bulgaria - and much of Eastern Europe - farms often span hundreds to thousands of hectares. In recent years, drought and heat have tightened their grip, putting staple crops like wheat, maize, and sunflower under pressure. It is pushing growers to rethink established practices and look for resilient, biology‑friendly ways to keep crops performing.
Marian’s view is clear: avoid swinging from full conventional to full no‑till overnight. Trial changes field by field. Where soils are tight or stratified, minimum or strip till can open the door for roots and biology without overworking the ground. Cover crops have a role, but only where moisture budgets allow. The brief is simple: choose the right tool, at the right time, for your soil.
Key takeaways:
Post‑war agriculture leaned heavily on synthetic fertilisers. Marian argues that over‑reliance can dilute plant sap, lower brix, and open the door to pests and disease - especially in dry years. A biology‑first approach focuses on feeding microbes and supplying nitrogen in the forms plants can use with less energy cost.
What that means in practice:
Marian highlights the role of fish hydrolysate as a practical, biology‑forward input. Applied in‑furrow at drilling or as a timely foliar, amino acid‑rich nutrition supports early root development, feeds microbial life, and can help reduce the plant’s energy burden compared with nitrate‑heavy programmes.
Potential benefits:
When moisture is scarce, every input concentrates faster in the soil. Keeping biology alive and roots exploring is non‑negotiable. That means gentle soil movement, smart residue management, and nutrition that plants can metabolise efficiently.
Practical pointers for dry seasons:
Marian brings grounded, real‑farm context to a challenge many growers share: producing consistent crops when water is the true limiting factor. If you’re weighing up cultivations, cover crops, and biology‑first nutrition, this episode is for you.
Tune in to Episode Six on Spotify and YouTube, launching on Thursday, 23rd October at 10am.
In this episode of the Sea2Soil Podcast, we take to the field - literally. Grant James sits down with Simon Revell, Export Manager for Claydon Drills, to discuss over 20 years of innovation, soil-first farming, and the role of natural soil improvers in shaping a sustainable future.
Recorded on a breezy July morning in front of Claydon’s long-running trial plots, the conversation explores the journey from profit-driven direct drilling to the wider environmental benefits now being realised on farms across the UK and Europe.
Simon explains how the Claydon system - refining cultivation without turning the soil - has helped farmers reduce costs, protect soil biology, and build resilience against increasingly extreme weather. He shares insights into cover cropping, straw harrowing, and trials with Sea2Soil that show promising improvements in soil structure and microbial activity.
But it’s not just about machinery. The episode digs into the challenges of farmer mindsets, the slow but steady adoption of regenerative techniques, and the importance of partnerships between businesses, agronomists, and researchers. Together, these collaborations are helping to future-proof food production.
Looking ahead, Simon and Grant consider the bigger questions: What does sustainability really mean? How do we keep soils productive for generations to come? And how do we keep pushing boundaries, through seed breeding, trials, and innovative natural inputs, so that farming can thrive in the face of climate change?
This is a practical, honest, and hopeful discussion about soil health, sustainable farming systems, and why the future of agriculture depends on both innovation and collaboration.
Read all about what to expect from Episode 5 of the Sea2Soil Podcast, coming to YouTube and Spotify on October 9th at 10am.
In Episode 4 of The Sea2Soil Podcast, Grant James is joined by Joel Williams, internationally respected soil health educator and founder of Integrated Soils. Together, they explore where soil conditioners fit into regenerative systems, the role of carbon-based inputs like fish hydrolysates, and the long-term gains farmers can expect when feeding both plants and soil biology.
In this conversation, we stumble onto the reawakening of farmers' interest in soil health, with Joel talking about the growing recognition of soil conditioners as a valuable tool. Products such as seaweed extracts and fish-based amendments not only provide nutrients but also stimulate soil biology with amino acids and other carbon-rich compounds - feeding microbes and plants alike.
A key message listeners will find in this episode is how rebuilding soil takes time. Joel emphasises that while farmers may see changes within 3–5 years, regeneration is a lifelong process of continual improvement. Inputs can help speed up the transition, but ultimately it’s about balancing nutrient offtake with sustainable inputs, while unlocking the reserves already stored in the soil.
Much as we have discussed in our recent blog post, timing is everything. When it comes to applying amino acids, Joel notes that living systems are always hungry for them - except during the depths of winter when growth slows. For autumn-sown crops, autumn is a particularly important window, as amino acids support early root establishment before dormancy. Spring and in-season applications also play a role in boosting nitrogen efficiency and protein synthesis.
From his work worldwide, Joel has seen many farmers comfortably reduce nitrogen inputs by 20–30%, with pasture systems sometimes cutting their inputs by up to 50%. The key is replacing reactive inorganic nitrogen with more stable, carbon-based organic forms. These not only reduce losses to leaching and off-gassing but also improve nitrogen use efficiency, allowing plants to produce more biomass per unit of input.
For farmers looking to begin their regenerative journey, Joel recommends starting with the five soil health principles: minimise disturbance, keep soils covered, maintain living roots, integrate livestock, and embrace diversity. Growing plants - whether through cover crops or perennial phases - is central to feeding soil biology. From there, organic amendments and bio-stimulants can be used to kickstart the system, while reducing practices that harm soil life.
As Joel concludes, it’s about “doing less of the baddies and more of the goodies” - a simple but powerful principle for anyone serious about long-term soil health.
Find out more about Episode 4 of The Sea2Soil Podcast with Joel Williams, landing on September 25th.
In the far north of Scotland, near Halkirk in Caithness, John Mackay runs a mixed arable and livestock farm across several sites spanning more than 300 acres. With a background that spans engineering, the nuclear industry, and now an offshore career, John has always returned to farming whenever he’s home. That mix of experiences has shaped his perspective on how to best manage the land.
“Because I’m away offshore for long stretches, I’ve had to rethink how we farm,” John explains. “It’s about making the system work smarter, not harder. Improving soil health while reducing synthetic inputs is the way forward for us.”
Today, the farm grows barley (and previously oats) and runs livestock across rough grazing ground. John is also exploring ways to expand into more crop production over summer while increasing livestock numbers through winter grazing, whether by utilising forage crops or bringing in store lambs and cast ewes.
With plenty of late nights spent researching alternative farming processes and systems, John has built his knowledge. “After shifts, I’ll sit down and dig into regenerative practices, foliar nutrient systems, and biological inputs. That’s how I came across Sea2Soil,” he says.
After reaching out to Liz here at Sea2Soil for more information, John began trialling our product alongside foliar-applied urea, Epsotop, and molasses. And even without compound fertilisers, the results were encouraging.
“Our crops held their colour, rooted well, and bulked up nicely - even through dry spells,” John recalls. Demonstrating how Sea2Soil can be used in a very practical way to improve overall crop resilience in a changing climate, especially in drier seasons like we’ve seen in 2025.
The impact hasn’t been limited to arable ground. Grassland has also shown noticeable improvement.
“We’ve got older fields that sheep used to avoid,” John explains. “Since applying Sea2Soil, they’re now grazing those fields evenly. One field in particular was always strip-grazed for cattle, but the sheep would never touch the aftermath. Now they graze the whole lot without hesitation. That tells me something in the biology has shifted - it’s making the forage more palatable or healthier.”
John is also working with other partners, including Jenna Ballantine at NewGen Agri and Andy Cheetham at Hybrid Farming Systems, to build a longer-term foliar and biological-based nutrient plan. The aim is to reduce inputs and costs while steadily improving soil health.
“We’re realistic that yields might dip slightly as soils correct themselves,” John says, “but in the long run, this will be more sustainable and profitable.”
Balancing full-time offshore work with part-time farming has given John a pragmatic perspective.
“It’s not about doing things the old way,” he says. “It’s about doing them better. With Sea2Soil and the systems we’re putting in place, I’m confident we’re heading in the right direction. I know this isn’t a quick fix, but I want to work to correct some of the damage that has been done to the land here without manmade fertiliser where I can. It’s a big step for me, but I know I’m only just scratching the surface of what’s possible.”
Want to know more about how Sea2Soil can fit into your farming system? Talk to the team today to see how they can support you - get in touch.
Healthy soil equals healthy crops. That’s the core message of The Sea2Soil Podcast – and it’s never more relevant than when we talk about soil cultivation. In Episode 1, host Grant James speaks with Steve Townsend of Soil First Farming about why excessive soil movement is one of the most damaging – and costly – practices in modern agriculture.
In this companion blog, we dig deeper into the points Steve raised and explore why reducing cultivation could be the most profitable decision a farmer makes.
Cultivation, or soil movement, has long been a cornerstone of conventional farming. It includes ploughing, harrowing, discing – all designed to prepare seedbeds, manage weeds, and “refresh” the soil.
But while these techniques might give short-term gains, they often come with long-term costs that aren’t always obvious. As Steve puts it: “Cultivations are the things that damage our soil. If you damage the soil, you damage the biology – and then you spend more money on inputs like fertiliser.”
Soil isn’t just the ground we walk upon – it’s alive. Beneath our feet lies a complex food web of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other microscopic life forms. These organisms recycle nutrients, build soil structure, and support plant health.
Frequent cultivation disrupts this balance:
Over time, this biological decline forces farmers to rely more heavily on synthetic fertilisers and chemicals, increasing costs and reducing soil’s natural productivity.
Disturbed soil is fragile soil. Once aggregates are broken, they’re more prone to erosion – washed away by rain or blown away by wind. And it’s often the most fertile topsoil that goes first. As Steve points out: “We are letting too much of our soil go down the river. And it’s not the worst bit of soil that goes – it’s the best bit of soil that goes.”
Cultivation can also lead to compaction. Repeated passes with heavy machinery press soils into hard layers, reducing water infiltration and root growth. This creates a vicious cycle where fields become harder to manage and require even more energy to work.
The biological and physical damage caused by cultivation leads to direct economic costs:
Reducing soil movement flips this on its head: healthier soils mean fewer inputs, lower costs, and more resilient yields.
Conservation agriculture – the approach Steve champions – is built around three key principles:
This shift won’t happen overnight. Farmers need to plan rotations, consider new equipment, and learn to “trust” the soil biology they’re building. But as more UK farmers join networks like BASE UK, they’re proving that profitability and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.
Products like Sea2Soil can support this transition. By adding readily digestible proteins and carbohydrates, Sea2Soil feeds soil microbes at key stages of regeneration, helping rebuild biology faster and strengthen the soil food web.
Ongoing trials – including research with Nottingham University – aim to quantify this boost, but the logic is simple: feed the biology, and it will feed your crops.
Thinking about moving towards less soil disturbance? Here are some first steps:
Steve Townsend’s conversation with Grant James in Episode 1 of The Sea2Soil Podcast brings these ideas to life, with practical insights from decades of on-farm experience.
Listen to Episode 1: Why chemistry, physics, and biology must all work together for healthier soils, with Steve Townsend.
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