Regenerative agriculture in spotlight

Soil health and economic pressures will be discussed at a dedicated Regenerative Agriculture conference at this month’s Cereals event.

Hosted by BASE UK and sponsored by sponsored by Tees Law, the conference will run across both days of the event – held on 11-12 June at Heath Farm, near Leadenham, Lincolnshire.

Speakers and farmers will discuss practical, resilient solutions to the challenges faced by arable growers – with an increasing number of producers rethinking their rotations and management systems.

“It is especially exciting as knowledge exchange is the foundation of our organisation, and the majority of our speakers are members,” explained BASE UK administrator Rebecca Goodwin.

“This highlights the wealth of knowledge, expertise and innovation that exists within our network. Our members work with the system day after day and can provide practical insights and expertise to the industry discussions.”

BASE UK chairman Edwin Taylor believes the push towards regenerative methods is being fuelled by necessity, rather than ideology – although there is some of that too among regenerative farmers.

Mr Taylor said: “As a result of seeing a significant decline in the resilience and workability of their soils, many farmers are exploring changes to their farming practices to rebuild soil health.

Some may have investigated this option when the sustainable farming incentive (SFI) offered support for this transition, but even without such schemes there are still many compelling benefits and reasons to adopt regenerative practices.”

Range of enterprises

In a session called ‘Enterprise stacking – the regen way’, BASE UK member Seb Richardson will discuss how he uses different enterprises on his family farm to achieve multiple benefits.

A fifth-generation farmer, Mr Richardson farms beef and arable in partnership with his parents across 700ha of Northamptonshire. The farm has been regenerative since 2019, when the family turned to a non-plough based system.

Regenerative farming offers an opportunity to stack enterprises in the same field, says Mr Richardson, who has introduced Sustainable Farming Incentive options, carbon credits, livestock integration and bi-cropping.

“We still focus on food production, but enterprise stacking allows us to do this while diversifying the farm. We were able to join the SFI before it closed. Hopefully by the time Cereals comes around we will know more about the next SFI.”

Farm manager John Aynsley, who farms just under 1,600ha on the Skelton Estate in north Yorkshire, will also be sharing his journey at the conference, drawing on more than a decade of experience in conservation agriculture.

Recently, Mr Aynsley has explored enterprise stacking as a way to plan for the future. “If you don’t prepare to work with no subsidy, then you may be on the back foot in a few years’ time,” he says.

“Food production is not at the top of this government’s priorities, so events like Cereals are important; as no matter how old you are there’s always something new that can be learnt.”

Stacking enterprises, like integrating livestock with arable rotations, is important for a farm’s profitability, says Mr Aynsley. It provides a more resilient income stream, which helps cashflow.

‘Partnership approach delivers best results’

EXPERT VIEW

Working together is a sensible strategy in challenging times, says Brian Richardson

Farming has faced more than its fair share of challenges in recent times.

Changes to inheritance tax and to support arrangements are just two major issues to mention but individual farms will have seen many others as they look to future-proof their businesses.

Given the challenges and the increasing complexity around how farming businesses plan effectively for the future, it is essential farmers plug into their professional support to help them understand their options.

Good investment

Time spent with trusted land agents, accountants, solicitors and bank managers is a good investment as it helps farmers better understand the challenges and the best solutions.

Recent inheritance tax changes will affect a significant number of farm businesses, with precious little time to plan for those changes.

In many cases, I have seen farmers use their professional advisors to seek the views of the wider family and then use this feedback to refine plans, based on a clearer understanding and consideration of the family members’ ambitions going forward.

The quality of professional support in the agricultural sector and the close, long standing relationships advisors have with their farming clients is well known.

With all the changes happening in the sector, farmers need to make time to plan for the future and involve professionals and advisors at an early stage to help with the process.

Sometimes to generate new ideas and inspiration, it also helps invite a new face such as a specialist consultant to the table, to have a fresh look at what’s happening.

We often find ourselves working together with other professionals to make sure the best outcome is achieved for the client.

This sharing of knowledge is important, as is the continuity it can bring, given the long term nature of the industry. Teamwork ensures the business’s strategy is undertaken efficiently and cost-effectively

Brian Richardson, is UK head of agriculture at Virgin Money.