We are facing the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. Scotland has committed to ambitious carbon reduction targets, aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.
We all must cut our carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. For farmers, crofters and land managers, routine biological processes also give rise to two other key and potent, greenhouse gases for consideration. Methane (CH4), as a by-product of ruminant digestion and nitrous oxide (N2O) from cultivation including application of nitrogen fertilisers and manures.
Working with volunteer focus farmers across Scotland, the Farming for a Better Climate initiative has seen first-hand the innovative measures farmers are putting in place and the benefits this can have for the farm business. Thirteen climate change focus farmers across two cohorts signed up for a three-year programme with the Scottish Government funded Farming for a Better Climate initiative. The volunteer host farmers worked with SAC Consulting and other industry specialists to explore changes that could benefit both the farm business and the environment.
Farm soils can often be overlooked, and the soil story is something we have continued to pursue, this time with a group of farmers interested in soil regenerative agriculture techniques. The group, based in the northeast of Scotland, are trialling both old and new soil regenerative agriculture measures and sharing their findings. The challenge of establishment of cover crops, integration of livestock into the arable rotation and soil biological health are all areas the group have been exploring.
By working directly with land managers, we demonstrate practical techniques and solutions, tried, and tested on working farms, sharing our findings with the sector.
In partnership with Scottish Government, QMS, Soil Association and NFUS, Farming for a Better Climate host the new Agriculture, Biodiversity and Climate Change (ABCC) Network. The network showcases examples of measures farmers and land managers are already putting in place to reduce the farm carbon footprint and benefit biodiversity, providing a pool of examples to inspire others.
Host farmers started with a range of baseline data; a key part of this was a carbon footprint via Agrecalc. The carbon audit gave another way to look at the farm business, identifying how farms were performing in carbon terms and how they measured up with like businesses. Information was shared through a series of on farm discussion group meetings, demonstrating changes and providing a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas. For those unable to attend, a series of meeting notes, practical guides and case studies were provided.
Hugh Black of Backboath Farm part of the Soil Regenerative Agriculture Group) said: “I’ve learned a lot from being part of the group and working with other farmers, it’s made me think more about how we manage our soils. Moving towards regenerative soil practices doesn’t have to be all or nothing overnight; between us we have been able to try out new techniques and ways of doing things, swapping ideas about what’s worked well and allow us to tailor what’s right for our individual farms”
