James Rebanks on Radio 4 this morning

[Extreme Optimist]

Could I Regenerate My Farm to Save the Planet? - BBC Sounds

James Rebanks examines regenerative farming and if it could work on his Lake District farm

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Cab-over Pete]

They never answer the one burning question though…..,

Will it still need lime?

 

[martian]

Pete, I gave them half an hour on how important lime is...and they cut it out!

(Not strictly true)

 

[organicguy]

Very interesting listen, hope all those that decide policy have listened.

 

[delilah]

No. Because whatever James is up to on his farm wont save the planet.
That saved me 27 minutes of my life I wouldn't get back.

 

[organicguy]

No. Because whatever James is up to on his farm wont save the planet.
That saved me 27 minutes of my life I wouldn't get back.

But if some of the techniques discussed were used across all impoverished soils in the world it could make a huge difference.

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

No. Because whatever James is up to on his farm wont save the planet.
That saved me 27 minutes of my life I wouldn't get back.

So did you listen to it or not?

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Pete, I gave them half an hour on how important lime is...and they cut it out!

(Not strictly true)

Not strictly true, or not true at all?

 

[delilah]

So did you listen to it or not?

Nope. Read the books though. Very good on the problems, bit flaky on solutions.

But if some of the techniques discussed were used across all impoverished soils in the world it could make a huge difference.

Go on then, quick summary for those who haven't listened.

 

[CopperBeech]

How to save the world with 27 sheep and 3 crowd funded cows.

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

The solutions are con

Nope. Read the books though. Very good on the problems, bit flaky on solutions.



Go on then, quick summary for those who haven't listened.

The solutions won't get publicity because, generally they involve spending less money on inputs and expensive "modern" techniques.

There was touched on the negative effects of N fert preventing soil synthesising its own from the atmosphere; the effect of insecticides on the natural balance in the soil moderating pest numbers and the unseen harm of feeding grazing animals rainforest products like soya and palm kernel.

It's worth a listen. A persistent message that comes from all these farmers who tried something new, none of whom had any idea whether it would work or not, is that it's worth a try.

 

[Campani]

How to save the world with 27 sheep and 3 crowd funded cows.

Are you trying to imply James Rebanks isn't a real farmer?

 

[ajcc]

I listened because I have a daughter who’s starting out in farming and enthusiastic about regenerative soils and livestock farming.
Reckon it was a worthwhile listen and food for thought and with bagged fert. more than doubling in price since harvest it’s a very opportune time to rethink hard about method and being able to retain control.
@CopperBeech evidently didn’t listen because although it’s bbc broadcast it’s produced by agriculturalists and not bbc bred environmentalists and to be recommended.imho.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I thought it was a good, well produced programme

 

[CopperBeech]

I listened because I have a daughter who’s starting out in farming and enthusiastic about regenerative soils and livestock farming.
Reckon it was a worthwhile listen and food for thought and with bagged fert. more than doubling in price since harvest it’s a very opportune time to rethink hard about method and being able to retain control.
@CopperBeech evidently didn’t listen because although it’s bbc broadcast it’s produced by agriculturalists and not bbc bred environmentalists and to be recommended.imho.

You are right - I was being tongue in cheek. I very much agree with the methods. Just get a bit tired of the ‘good image of farming’ vs the ‘bad imagine of farming’ in the public’s eyes.

 

[Swarfmonkey]

A persistent message that comes from all these farmers who tried something new, none of whom had any idea whether it would work or not, is that it's worth a try.

A bit easier for those who've got a sizeable income stream that's not dependant on their farm I'd have thought.

I bet that Rebanks makes a whole lot more from his books and Rebanks Consulting Limited than he does from his farm...

 

[Ffermer Bach]

You are right - I was being tongue in cheek. I very much agree with the methods. Just get a bit tired of the ‘good image of farming’ vs the ‘bad imagine of farming’ in the public’s eyes.

nothing in life is ever black and white, it is just our present culture wants to see everything in a very childlike way as either good or bad. Organic farming - good, but how about having to plough every few years to reseed-bad, regenerative farming-good, but using roundup-bad.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

A bit easier for those who've got a sizeable income stream that's not dependant on their farm I'd have thought.

I bet that Rebanks makes a whole lot more from his books and Rebanks Consulting Limited than he does from his farm...

but how many others in the Lake District have a camping barn or do B&B and in all fairness to him, he did go to Oxford to do a degree, I know I couldn't!

 

[Ffermer Bach]

A bit easier for those who've got a sizeable income stream that's not dependant on their farm I'd have thought.

I bet that Rebanks makes a whole lot more from his books and Rebanks Consulting Limited than he does from his farm...

And even if we have another income stream, it should not be used to "subsidise" the farm, otherwise, we will end up with farmers working for far less than the minimum wage to subsidise cheap food so the multinational corporations can profit from our stupidity (while the population does not value food - hence the amount thrown away and a bottle of water being more valuable than a bottle of milk!)

 

[JP1]

James is also a Guest Editor of the Today programme on R4 over their traditional Christmas period. About time things got balanced after Lewis Hamilton was on there for a day last Christmas