Terrafarmer is testing biological inputs across Welsh farms for a more resilient future, leading farmer-led research into soil health and input reduction
With rising input costs, degraded soils, and growing climate pressures, farmers across the UK face tough decisions about how to maintain productivity while preparing for a low-input, net-zero future.
The Terrafarmer is responding to this challenge through rigorous, farmer-led trials across Mid and North Wales, focused on testing the use of biological inputs in real-world situations.
Knowledge Gap
Biological inputs (also referred to as biostimulants) consist of substances and/or microorganisms that help to activate natural soil and plant processes. Although they are not fertilisers or pesticides themselves, existing research shows that biological inputs can boost soil health, crop quality, nutrient cycling, and potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions (particularly nitrous oxide) associated with synthetic fertilisers. However, there is currently a lack of independent data on the use of approved biologicals in real-world scenarios.
The Terrafarmer Biologicals Project (TTBP) seeks to address this knowledge gap
Led by Terrafarmer and supported by expert partners, TTBP is innovative in its use of multi-product, multi-site comparisons, organic system inclusion, and strong farmer involvement.
Spanning five farms and six biological inputs, the nine-month trial (running April–December 2025) is generating real-world data — including financial outcomes, improvements in soil organic matter and soil health, grassland productivity, and strengthened business resilience.
The project will help conventional and organic farmers make informed, practical decisions on biological inputs, and aligns closely with Welsh government priorities around soil health, climate action, and rural innovation, offering a credible pathway toward more resilient, regenerative farming.
What’s Being Trialled—and Why It Matters
Six biological products were selected for their potential to replace or reduce synthetic inputs. These include:
- Soil Point: Humic and fulvic-based soil conditioner to provide trace minerals and condition soil to boost crop establishment, growth and quality.
- Sea2Soil: Fish protein hydrolysate delivering plant-available amino acids and trace elements to the crop and soil.
- Sylgen: Consortium of beneficial bacteria and fungi to promote soil health and plant growth.
- Kelp Crofters: Seaweed-based biological input containing auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins to promote growth and help plants mange stress events.
- QLF TerraFed: Filtered molasses delivering plant-available sugars feeding both the plant and soil microbiology.
- BIO-CAT: Novel phage technology that targets and kill harmful soil bacteria to help soils rebalance, promoting yields and increasing grain protein levels.
Each on-farm trial site will test the six selected biological inputs under real farm conditions. One treatment will include a mix of all the products combined, with one control strip of standard farm practice. Product application is via a Tow and Fert Multi 500 machine, enabling consistent foliar application and easy comparison.
Trials will cover grassland systems, evaluating:
- Soil health metrics (including microbial biomass, VESS scores, fungal:bacterial ratios)
- Crop quality and yield (via tissue, forage, and grain analysis)
- Input reduction potential
- Farmer experience and qualitative feedback.
Data-Driven, Farmer-Focused
This is not research for research’s sake. It’s hands-on, field-scale testing with real-world relevance. High-quality data will be collected using:
- GPS-located soil samples (pre- and post-treatment).
- In-field agronomic monitoring by BASIS/FACTS-qualified Terrafarmer agronomists.
- Soil microbiometer readings for fungal:bacterial ratios.
- Independent laboratory analysis.
- Remote sensing (satellite imagery) for crop growth and dry matter yield.
- On-site weather stations tracking rainfall, air and soil temperature, and humidity.
- Farmer experience captured through qualitative feedback and events.
All monitoring is delivered by qualified agronomists and research partners, including Dr. Joshua Afzal (data analysis lead).
Knowledge Sharing and Farmer Engagement
Up to 10 farmer-facing events (9 in person, 1 online) will bring the trial data to life—through field walks, workshops, peer-led discussion groups, and written materials.
This creates a practical loop of farmer-to-farmer learning, helping extend impact beyond the trial group and fostering a regional community of knowledge around regenerative and biological farming.
Ultimately, we are hoping TTBP will confirm the following benefits of biological inputs for farmers:
- Cost savings via input reduction
- Yield and quality improvements
- Soil health-linked productivity gains
- Environmental benefits from reduced input use
- Greater resilience to climate and market shocks.
Interested in Hosting a Trial or Partnering with Us?
Whether you’re a research body, supply chain partner, or farmer exploring alternatives, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch for a no-obligation chat.
Let’s build the next phase of on-farm innovation together.
