ADAS reports sudden death of Professor Brian J. Chambers
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected death, of Professor Brian J. Chambers, Head of the ADAS Soils and Nutrients Group, on the morning of Saturday 30th August 2014.
Professor Brian J. Chambers, former Head of the ADAS Soils and Nutrients Group
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected death, of Professor Brian J. Chambers, Head of the ADAS Soils and Nutrients Group, on the morning of Saturday 30th August 2014.
Brian worked for ADAS for nearly 29 years after studying Soil Science at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne and the University of Aberdeen. Brian grew up on a dairy farm in Cumbria and throughout his career maintained strong links with the farming community. His practical knowledge and experience of farming practices underpinned much of the work he did to answer the challenges faced by farmers and policy makers.
Brian played an important role in the European and UK Soil Science community serving as President and Fellow of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (IPSS), visiting Professor at Cranfield University, a member of British Society of Soil Science, the International RAMIRAN Network and was a FACTS qualified adviser.
He published over 300 scientific papers, was well known for developing guidance on the use of organic materials in agriculture and for championing the sustainable use of the valuable nutrients they can supply. He was a key author of many guidance materials including Defra’s “Fertiliser Manual (RB209)”, “Managing Livestock Manures” booklets, the Safe Sludge Matrix and the PLANET and MANNER-NPK nutrient management tools. He played a leading role in WRAP’s work on the recycling of compost and digestate to land which has helped to underpin the end-of-waste position and to create market confidence in the materials.
Those who knew Brian could not fail to be impressed by his boundless enthusiasm for his subject and his passionate support for Newcastle United Football Club. He will be sadly missed by his many friends and colleagues. Brian leaves his wife, Yvonne, and three children, Katherine, Sophie and Harry.
All here at Farming Monthly National would like to convey our condolences and very best wishes to Brian’s family.