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 also used for field scientific and engineering research.

Located at Silsoe, Bedfordshire, 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. Draining to either groundwater or local surface waters, the farm covers several different soil types, slope conditions and cropping histories that offer opportunities for replicated plot experiments, as well as field and subcatchment scale studies. Research work includes:

1. Soil and water engineering and management (soil mechanics and dynamics, on-the-go sensors to monitor soil properties, soil remediation, soil degradation, soil-plant-water interactions, nutrient management, hydraulics, tillage and cultivations)

2. Field and environmental engineering (irrigation and drainage, soil conservation, soil injection and land application of biosolids, controlled traffic farming systems, water well pumping technologies, irrigation studies and off-road vehicle capability)

3. Agricultural mechanisation (precision seeding and weeding, variable input agriculture, harvest machinery, crop processing machinery, precision drills and tillage equipment)

Activities on the farm are supported by a fully dedicated Land Equipment Centre and workshops, with a range of tractor units, farm machinery and agricultural implements. The farm is used by Cranfield staff as a valuable research, training and teaching resource.