Large leaved W clover

[davidroberts30]

the problem is quite simple, we were encouraged to 'improve' yields etc, with cheap fert and sprays, and have become acclimatised to thinking they are THE way to do things.
Now, they are seen as 'bad', as is intensive farming, by a vocal proportion of the public. And to be fair, there is some truth in that, probably 'over use' is more to the point. And likewise we do not know the long term effects of them, plenty of history to show some every day items, were rather nasty, long term.
I have no real idea, how far we can go, using rotation, legumes, different grasses etc, to reduce the use of those chemical fixes, and still produce the yields we want, but l am prepared to find out. Not a believer in organic, diesel seems to replace sprays/fert, but there is plenty to learn from them.
Food inflation looks set to hit the public, and along with energy hikes, and extra taxes, to pay for covid, not sure l would want to be in the 'niche' market league, there will always be a mkt, but probably a shrinking one. Likewise, all the climatic/environmental rules, promises etc, now coming to the fore, are not conductive for producing cheap food, and l can see a serious clash of views, about to occur. It's quite simple, do you want affordable food, or not. Importing food stuffs, is neither climate friendly, or reliable, fert price will cause a reduction of global yield, so that route is somewhat uncertain.
But whatever happens, they all need feeding, and l am certain present politicians have absolutely no idea, of the effects food inflation will have, they all grew up, in the decades of cheap, and surplus food production.
My thoughts are simple, if we can produce acceptable yields, with limited use of chemicals, our profits should increase, and be more 'sustainable' or satisfying. If it comes to a choice, guvs will choose food production, over climate change, the first is now, the second is sometime, ahead.

We got to be orgasmic without being orgasmic
I will lime and use rotation as best I can
Then a few ton of nitrogen to keep barley and beet yeilds

 

[som farmer]

some would say we can do without N, but both of us agree, use at the right time, is advantageous.
Do think rotation needs more consideration though.