Know How / Regenerative agriculture

Regenerative farming, or conservation farming, was once considered a system for mavericks, but is becoming more mainstream now that farm payments will focus on environmental practices. At its heart, regen farming is all about soil health, encompassing practices such as no-till, cover cropping, mob grazing and livestock in the arable rotation. There is no one system-fits-all, rather a vision to rebuild degraded soil biodiversity to lock in carbon, improve the water cycle and encourage biodiversity.

Practical advice

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PEST MANAGEMENT

How to introduce SFI 2023's no insecticide option

After another delay, applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2023 are due to finally open in mid-September, with the new no use of insecticide action being one of the…

REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE

Top 5 mistakes when adopting regen farming

Regenerative farming can deliver many benefits to soils and balance sheets, but taking early mis-steps can have the opposite effect. There are stories of yields plummeting when switching to direct-drilling,…

LIVESTOCK

Regenerative approach builds resilience for 1,750-cow herd

Building resilience into the business by growing his own cereals and having a rolling stock of 27,000t of silage is part of Neil Baker’s move to regenerative agriculture. In fact,…

LIVESTOCK

Farmer networks will be key for SFI uptake

Building confidence via networks of farmers will be crucial to the successful implementation of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and rollout of agroecological practices on UK farms. This is according…

SOILS

New Zealanders share soil fungi knowledge to improve crops

Adopting regenerative farming practices can help increase levels of soil fungi, thereby improving soil structure and making nutrients and water more available to crops. Practices such as ploughing, applying di-ammonium…

BUSINESS

How demand for ‘regen beef’ is expanding in niche markets

Significant premiums are being paid by some butchers, restaurant chains and retailers for regeneratively farmed beef. The sector remains in its infancy, and what exactly is involved in regenerative practices…

COVER CROPS

A guide to catch cropping before autumn cereals

While many farmers are growing cover crops over winter before spring crops, there is also the possibility of establishing a catch crop between harvest and an autumn-drilled crop. The key…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Guide to soil biology and how to protect it

Many farms are closer to being “regenerative” than they might think, says a leading soil scientist. Ian Bell of Northern Soil Regen told delegates at Carbon Calling in Cumbria last…

Insights

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Regen farming videos

Groundswell 2022

See all our coverage from Groundswell 2022, the UK event for farmers interested in regenerative and conservation agriculture.
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Case studies

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ARABLE

Food production remains key on nature-friendly arable farm

All three of the distinct land types at Somerleyton Estate, near Lowestoft, are being put to best use, generating a diversified income for the business and supporting both people and…

WHEAT

Herbal leys and bicrops help hit organic wheat premium

Devon farmer George Greed is successfully using herbal leys, inter-crops and population wheats to hit organic milling premiums, as part of his nature friendly farming operation which has increased arable…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

How cattle on herbal leys have transformed Essex farm

A short video about grazing herbal leys sparked a complete change of direction for an Essex arable farm. Gone are the wheat, oilseed rape and potato crops, and in their…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How a regen farm is reducing inputs to meet SFI targets

The drive to reduce the use of artificial inputs is under way at Raby Farms in County Durham, with the business recognising the economic and environmental benefits of being less…

SOILS

Why cultivation equipment is making a comeback on farm

For the past eight years a direct drill was the only piece of equipment Wiltshire mixed arable and beef farmer George Hosier has used to establish his arable crops. So…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Why dairy beef is set to beat arable returns

Grazing dairy beef cattle is proving more profitable than arable cropping on a north Norfolk farm. It is also the best way to improve soils, says David Cross, whose aim…

SOILS

How measured soil carbon credits can replace BPS income

The first farm in the UK to sell measured soil carbon from arable land is on track to replace its Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) with carbon sales expected to contribute…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Video: Soil health focus reduces cow variable costs by 40%

Basing a farming system on improving soil health has helped a Northumberland mixed farm strip costs out of its sucklers and halve its winter housing period. The variable costs of…