Farming with nature
Farming and nature are closely linked, even if that relationship has become obscured by modern farming techniques.
Many farmers are struggling to cope with ever higher input costs for animal feed, fertilisers and pesticides. Alongside the unpredictable effects of climate change and biodiversity loss, this is creating a crisis situation for farming in the UK.
Farming with nature, or regenerative farming, seeks to create a sustainable balance between production and the land’s ability to produce by reducing artificial inputs and boosting the soil’s natural regenerative ability. This can bring many benefits for both farm businesses and wildlife.
Farming with nature can:
Reduce reliance on costly inputs, leading to increased profits.
Protect and replenish soils.
Reduce water pollution from run-off.
Reduce carbon emissions and increase carbon storage.
Increase resilience to the effects of climate change, such as floods and droughts.
Boost biodiversity on and around farms.
Business case for nature-friendly farming
Transitioning to regenerative, nature-friendly farming offers a wide range of financial benefits for farmers on the Gwent Levels, as well as benefits for the wider economy:
Lower input farms are often more profitable, because cost savings outweigh any reductions in output.
There is much evidence that the most profitable farm businesses in the UK are those best able to manage their costs, rather than those which maximise their output. Many farms – including in Wales and the Gwent Levels – have been shown to operate at above “maximum sustainable output”, a point at which additional purchases of inputs exceed the value of extra output.
Ecological and regenerative approaches to farming can increase yields...
... by strengthening farm natural processes. Many UK and global studies evidence that these methods enhance profitability through better management of nutrients, enhanced populations of beneficial insects (providing natural pest control and pollination services), improved soil management (enhancing fertility and reducing costs) and through integrated pest management.
Regenerative and diversified systems help to build more resilient farm businesses with more stable incomes.
They are less susceptible to economic and climatic shocks and outbreaks of pests and disease. Economic resilience results from more stable yields and diversified crops and income sources. Climate resilience results from enhanced soil health and function (helping soil to absorb and store water more effectively, reducing sensitivity to floods and droughts) as well as crop diversification. Increased populations of natural predators reduce vulnerability to pests. Enhanced plant diversity in pastures improves animal health and reduces susceptibility to pests and parasites.
Regenerative, organic and nature-friendly systems produce better quality, more nutritious food, often fetching higher prices.
Nature friendly and regenerative practices have been shown to increase the nutritional content of crops and livestock products, and to deliver higher prices than conventional products.
Nature-friendly farming supports farm diversification, through product and income diversification, food processing and marketing, recreation, tourism and contracting.
Enhancing environmental management and contributing to the brand and vision of the Gwent Levels offers farmers a range of opportunities to generate new income streams and add value to their produce.
Agri-environment schemes offer opportunities to increase farm incomes.
Public money is increasingly tied to the delivery of public goods. While less profitable than direct payments, agri-environment schemes can contribute strongly to the level and stability of farm incomes.
Nature-friendly farming offers opportunities to engage in private nature markets and receive income from provision of ecosystem services.
These potentially include revenues from carbon and biodiversity offsets as well as initiatives to alleviate flooding and tackle water pollution. As well as established schemes, there is potential for farmers on the Gwent Levels to generate income from voluntary agreements and new partnerships, especially by working collaboratively at landscape scale with other farmers and land managers, developers, companies, regulators and other stakeholders.
Links
Nature Friendly Farming Network - A farmer-led organisation that supports farmers wanting to restore the balance between farming and nature.
Agricology - An independent website supporting farmers and growers transitioning to more sustainable farming systems.
Pasture for Life - PfL is a not-for-profit CIC promoting pastoral farming systems to benefit the environment, farmed animals, farmers, farm businesses and wider society.