Today is Earth Day, the 51st time it has been recognised, and the theme this year is “Restore the Earth”. Farmers are the natural and committed custodians of the natural environment, and although some attack agriculture for its role in the global emissions profile, at Oxbury we know that this is often an oversimplified, inaccurate and unfair position to take. British farmers in particular lead the world in sustainable food production and stewardship of the countryside.
This is not to say that there isn’t progress that can and should be made. Greater efficiency and greater productivity on farm go hand in hand with an improved environmental profile. The Agricultural Transition means that sustainable food production is more important than ever, influenced by political, social and environmental expectations but also ensuring we pass on our greatest assets to the next generation.
The recently published Dasgupta Review on the Economics of Biodiversity is further confirmation of the UK’s mismanagement of natural capital, because of a failure to attribute its true value – something inherently obvious to the rural community. All farmers are now asking themselves what the changes in policy and socio-economic pressure mean for the future of their farm business. Many of these questions are prompted by the shift from the Common Agricultural Policy to the Environmental Land Management Scheme and the requirements in the Environment Bill to increase biodiversity.
The Agricultural Transition cannot be overlooked and will shape farm business development over the coming years as we head towards the NFU’s drive to net-zero for the sector by 2040.
Oxbury will not only support farm businesses to grow, adapt and diversify, but will also equip farmers with the right tools that enable them to transition production systems in line with their business goals. This could be through several alternative pathways that are coming to the forefront of farm business plans across the UK such as: carbon sequestration in soils and new hedgerows or woodlands; renewable energy generation; alternative feeds or sources of feeds; and so-called “regenerative agriculture” practices – to name just a few of the many routes available to the sector.
Oxbury has also recently launched Oxbury Forest Saver, the UK’s first savings account that directly supports carbon mitigation through planting native trees on marginal land on farm. These sites also improve water, air and soil quality as well as jobs in the rural community.
To find out more about Oxbury Farm Loans and Oxbury Forest Saver, visit www.oxbury.com
This is not to say that there isn’t progress that can and should be made. Greater efficiency and greater productivity on farm go hand in hand with an improved environmental profile. The Agricultural Transition means that sustainable food production is more important than ever, influenced by political, social and environmental expectations but also ensuring we pass on our greatest assets to the next generation.
The recently published Dasgupta Review on the Economics of Biodiversity is further confirmation of the UK’s mismanagement of natural capital, because of a failure to attribute its true value – something inherently obvious to the rural community. All farmers are now asking themselves what the changes in policy and socio-economic pressure mean for the future of their farm business. Many of these questions are prompted by the shift from the Common Agricultural Policy to the Environmental Land Management Scheme and the requirements in the Environment Bill to increase biodiversity.
The Agricultural Transition cannot be overlooked and will shape farm business development over the coming years as we head towards the NFU’s drive to net-zero for the sector by 2040.
Oxbury will not only support farm businesses to grow, adapt and diversify, but will also equip farmers with the right tools that enable them to transition production systems in line with their business goals. This could be through several alternative pathways that are coming to the forefront of farm business plans across the UK such as: carbon sequestration in soils and new hedgerows or woodlands; renewable energy generation; alternative feeds or sources of feeds; and so-called “regenerative agriculture” practices – to name just a few of the many routes available to the sector.
Oxbury has also recently launched Oxbury Forest Saver, the UK’s first savings account that directly supports carbon mitigation through planting native trees on marginal land on farm. These sites also improve water, air and soil quality as well as jobs in the rural community.
To find out more about Oxbury Farm Loans and Oxbury Forest Saver, visit www.oxbury.com
