Jonathan Pinnick guest blogs on our website, sharing some ways that farmers can reach net-zero while locking carbon away at the same time.
Some emissions reduction measures, depending on the nature of the farm, include:
"Whilst some or all of these measures may result in yield reductions, the associated cost savings would in many cases offset these, enabling farmers to maintain their profit margins whilst reducing their carbon footprint. This is a framework our England Chair, Chris Clark, has captured through his work on MSO (maximum sustainable output), where farmers work to achieve their MSO and get maximum returns for nature and business as a result. By adopting nature-friendly farming practices such as hedgerow planting, agroforestry, peatland or species-rich grassland restoration, or wetland creation, farmers have the potential to transform their businesses from being ‘net carbon emitters’ to ‘net carbon sequesters’."
Have you tried any of these approaches? What about using carbon calculating to measure the results?
Read more of Jonathan's blog - https://www.nffn.org.uk/northern-ireland-farming-solutions-for-climate-action/
Some emissions reduction measures, depending on the nature of the farm, include:
- reducing livestock numbers
- improving slurry/manure storage and spreading methods
- optimising nitrogen fertiliser application
- minimising the use of concentrated feed mixes
- adopting a minimum or no-till approach
- growing cover crops
- minimising or eliminating the use of pesticide products in favour of an integrated pest management approach
"Whilst some or all of these measures may result in yield reductions, the associated cost savings would in many cases offset these, enabling farmers to maintain their profit margins whilst reducing their carbon footprint. This is a framework our England Chair, Chris Clark, has captured through his work on MSO (maximum sustainable output), where farmers work to achieve their MSO and get maximum returns for nature and business as a result. By adopting nature-friendly farming practices such as hedgerow planting, agroforestry, peatland or species-rich grassland restoration, or wetland creation, farmers have the potential to transform their businesses from being ‘net carbon emitters’ to ‘net carbon sequesters’."
Have you tried any of these approaches? What about using carbon calculating to measure the results?
Read more of Jonathan's blog - https://www.nffn.org.uk/northern-ireland-farming-solutions-for-climate-action/