- Location
- Hammerwich
Interesting piece from NFFN here with advice on how farmers go net-zero:
Arable - Positive Steps:
• Introduce spring cropping or use of fallows
• Reduce tillage (where appropriate)
• Use nitrogen fixing crops in the rotation
• Use cover crops
• Use improved crop varieties, nitrogen-efficient cultivars
• Introduce agroforestry
• Make most efficient use of mineral fertilisers
Arable Try to avoid:
• Bioenergy and anaerobic digestion
Livestock - Positive Steps:
• Reduce stocking density, particularly on intensively managed grassland
• Pasture feed livestock or use home grown feedstocks
• Consider keeping native breed livestock
• Go organic
• Introduce agroforestry
• Best practice manure and/or slurry management
Livestock - Try to avoid:
• Use of artificial fertilisers
• Reliance on concentrates
Questions?
There are some interesting differences between these lists. They don't talk about organic for Arable. Is it not possible to be net zero and organic as a (profitable) arable farm? Is some artificial essential to generate enough profit and still be net-zero? Whats the difference between mineral and artificial fertilisers?
Arable - Positive Steps:
• Introduce spring cropping or use of fallows
• Reduce tillage (where appropriate)
• Use nitrogen fixing crops in the rotation
• Use cover crops
• Use improved crop varieties, nitrogen-efficient cultivars
• Introduce agroforestry
• Make most efficient use of mineral fertilisers
Arable Try to avoid:
• Bioenergy and anaerobic digestion
Livestock - Positive Steps:
• Reduce stocking density, particularly on intensively managed grassland
• Pasture feed livestock or use home grown feedstocks
• Consider keeping native breed livestock
• Go organic
• Introduce agroforestry
• Best practice manure and/or slurry management
Livestock - Try to avoid:
• Use of artificial fertilisers
• Reliance on concentrates
Questions?
There are some interesting differences between these lists. They don't talk about organic for Arable. Is it not possible to be net zero and organic as a (profitable) arable farm? Is some artificial essential to generate enough profit and still be net-zero? Whats the difference between mineral and artificial fertilisers?