Home >> Wetland >> Groundwater >> Regenerative Farming >> Regenerative Drainage >> Nitrate Mitigation
Regenerative FarmingGabe Brown, the famous Regenerative Farmer in the States frequently says that "I can tell the profitability of any farming operation by the amount of carbon they are building in their soil".
That's a great quote but what has it got to do with meeting our aims of increasing groundwater recharge, minimising pollution and purifying the water? Well - quite a lot actually... Building carbon in soil, otherwise known as organic matter, signficantly increases water infiltration and soil moisture holding capacity. So, when there is a rainfall event, rather than the majority getting washed down the river as run-off or evaporated back into the atmosphere the organic matter in the soil will hold the water, which is good for plant growth and good for recharging the aquifer below. |
WHITEWOOL STREAM WETLAND
NITRATE MITIGATION FOR THE SOLENT AREA To discuss Nitrate Mitigation or Nitrate Credits please call or drop an email
to Jamie Butler "The Valley is the Wetland" WHITEWOOL STREAM WETLAND PROJECT
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“I can tell the potential success of any farming system by the amount of carbon they have cycling in their system. ”
Gabe Brown - Author & Farmer
"From Dirt to Soil"
about whitewool farm and meon springs
Whitewool Farm and Meon Springs are a diversified farming business run by Will and Jamie Butler. The farm extends to just over 1000 acres and has been in the Butler family since 1930.
The farm is a mixed dairy/arable unit that has been conventionally run, in line with modern farming practices, for the last 50 years.
In line with emerging agricultural policy and climate change objectives the current direction is now to take a much more regenerative and circular approach. This involves measures to improve soil health and significantly improving biodiversity - the environment where natural predators can flourish, reducing the need for agrochemicals. - See below
The farm is a mixed dairy/arable unit that has been conventionally run, in line with modern farming practices, for the last 50 years.
In line with emerging agricultural policy and climate change objectives the current direction is now to take a much more regenerative and circular approach. This involves measures to improve soil health and significantly improving biodiversity - the environment where natural predators can flourish, reducing the need for agrochemicals. - See below
the principles of regenerative farming
The principles of regenerative farming have been summed up very well in an infographics by General Mills (a US food company that owns brands such as Haagen Daz and Yoplait.
Below is a description of the principles and how Whitewool Farm are integrating them into their farming business.
Minimise Soil Disturbance
Soil has a complex biological ecosystem consisting of millions of microorganisms and fungi. Disturbing this network by, for example deep ploughing, is a bit like driving a bulldozer through a neighbourhood suburb. Every time you do it, it takes months for the ecosystem to reset its natural order.
Whitewool Farm has recently invested in a direct drill system so that it can minimise cultivations. In fact, you will only see cultivations at Whitewool Farm to scratch crop residues and manure into the top inch or so of soil or to deal with any soil compaction issues, which cause run-off and limit plant growth.
Maximise Crop Diversity
Growing one crop over a large area or year after year after year is a paradise for pests and diseases that want to dominate and cause trouble. Establishing diversity enables a whole range of natural predators to emerge and keep the system in balance, thereby reducing the need for agrochemical controls.
Being a mixed dairy/arable farm, there is plenty of opportunity to create a diverse cropping pattern of different forages and cereal crops.
Keep the Soil Covered
Bare soil exposes itself to wind and water erosion. This is a huge loss of natural capital for the farmer and one of the main causes of sedimentation and pollution getting into rivers. It also allows excessive evaporation, depleting aquifers of vital recharge.
Much of the farm is grassland, which is a perennial crop that keeps the soil covered 365 days a year.
Maintain a Living Root
Maintain a living root means keep something growing for as much of the season as you can. This achieves the previous principle of keeping the soil covered and ensures that carbon drawdown from the atmosphere is happening all of the time.
More and more we are using cover crops and catch crops to maintain and feed the soil, when a cash crop is not being grown. This year for example we are trialling a catch crop of grass silage before growing maize. To maintain soil moisture in the soil and minimise disturbance both crops will be direct drilled (conditions allowing).
Integrate Livestock
Livestock are a natural part of the ecosystem. Managed properly, they not only produce nutritious food, they are integral in drawing down carbon through the process of creating natural fertiliser and by effectively managing grassland.
The farm runs an autumn calved dairy herd, where the cows go out in the Summer to graze and are in the sheds during the wetter winter months. We are introducing various activities and techniques to more accurately integrate livestock manures with the cropping thereby reducing nitrate leaching into the watercourse.
Minimise Soil Disturbance
Soil has a complex biological ecosystem consisting of millions of microorganisms and fungi. Disturbing this network by, for example deep ploughing, is a bit like driving a bulldozer through a neighbourhood suburb. Every time you do it, it takes months for the ecosystem to reset its natural order.
Whitewool Farm has recently invested in a direct drill system so that it can minimise cultivations. In fact, you will only see cultivations at Whitewool Farm to scratch crop residues and manure into the top inch or so of soil or to deal with any soil compaction issues, which cause run-off and limit plant growth.
Maximise Crop Diversity
Growing one crop over a large area or year after year after year is a paradise for pests and diseases that want to dominate and cause trouble. Establishing diversity enables a whole range of natural predators to emerge and keep the system in balance, thereby reducing the need for agrochemical controls.
Being a mixed dairy/arable farm, there is plenty of opportunity to create a diverse cropping pattern of different forages and cereal crops.
Keep the Soil Covered
Bare soil exposes itself to wind and water erosion. This is a huge loss of natural capital for the farmer and one of the main causes of sedimentation and pollution getting into rivers. It also allows excessive evaporation, depleting aquifers of vital recharge.
Much of the farm is grassland, which is a perennial crop that keeps the soil covered 365 days a year.
Maintain a Living Root
Maintain a living root means keep something growing for as much of the season as you can. This achieves the previous principle of keeping the soil covered and ensures that carbon drawdown from the atmosphere is happening all of the time.
More and more we are using cover crops and catch crops to maintain and feed the soil, when a cash crop is not being grown. This year for example we are trialling a catch crop of grass silage before growing maize. To maintain soil moisture in the soil and minimise disturbance both crops will be direct drilled (conditions allowing).
Integrate Livestock
Livestock are a natural part of the ecosystem. Managed properly, they not only produce nutritious food, they are integral in drawing down carbon through the process of creating natural fertiliser and by effectively managing grassland.
The farm runs an autumn calved dairy herd, where the cows go out in the Summer to graze and are in the sheds during the wetter winter months. We are introducing various activities and techniques to more accurately integrate livestock manures with the cropping thereby reducing nitrate leaching into the watercourse.
the outcomes of regenerative farming
Once again I have to thank General Mills for the below infographic, which nicely illustrates the outcomes of regenerative farming.
Below is a description of how we see these outcomes working for us at Whitewool Farm
Economic Resiliency in Farming Communities
By building soil health, we earn the right to maintain excellent crop output on much reduced input. Quite simply we will be shifting the balance to make money out of sunshine rather that applied minerals and fertilisers.
Soil Health
Farming in a regenerative way is more of a mindset rather than a system. The fundamental change is to look at the business as an ecosystem rather than a series of isolated enterprises. Building a living soil that considers the biological aspects as well as the chemical and physical aspects is key to that.
Water
Water is the only substance that occurs naturally on earth in three forms: solid, liquid and gas. In the liquid form, 97% of water is in the oceans and too saline for most human uses. Indeed, if all the water on the planet was shrunk to the size of 1 gallon, then the total amount of fresh water would be about 1/3 of a cup and the amount of readily usable water about 2 tablespoons.
The above all means that the effective management of fresh water is absolutely key to sustaining life on this planet.
By farming our valley regeneratively and implementing regenerative drainage systems we are maximising the amount of water that will enter the aquifer below us and minimising the amount that will go down the stream as run-off and into sea by the end of the day. By developing a Stage Zero Wetland at the point where the water leaves the farm, we are ensuring maximum purity of water entering the River Meon.
Above Ground Diversity
To achieve a balanced ecosystem we want to maximise the diversity of crops, nature and wildlife throughout the valley. This will help maintain a natural balance and reduce the chance of pests and diseases taking over and requiring harsh chemical treatment controls. Watch this space to see various re-wilding projects and natural support systems.
Cow and Herd Wellbeing
As mentioned above, livestock are an integral part of the natural food producing ecosystem and if farmed in the right way will greatly contribute to soil health and production. It is however important the cow and herd wellbeing is maintained at the highest level and continually improving, which is always something we have strived to achieve.
Economic Resiliency in Farming Communities
By building soil health, we earn the right to maintain excellent crop output on much reduced input. Quite simply we will be shifting the balance to make money out of sunshine rather that applied minerals and fertilisers.
Soil Health
Farming in a regenerative way is more of a mindset rather than a system. The fundamental change is to look at the business as an ecosystem rather than a series of isolated enterprises. Building a living soil that considers the biological aspects as well as the chemical and physical aspects is key to that.
Water
Water is the only substance that occurs naturally on earth in three forms: solid, liquid and gas. In the liquid form, 97% of water is in the oceans and too saline for most human uses. Indeed, if all the water on the planet was shrunk to the size of 1 gallon, then the total amount of fresh water would be about 1/3 of a cup and the amount of readily usable water about 2 tablespoons.
The above all means that the effective management of fresh water is absolutely key to sustaining life on this planet.
By farming our valley regeneratively and implementing regenerative drainage systems we are maximising the amount of water that will enter the aquifer below us and minimising the amount that will go down the stream as run-off and into sea by the end of the day. By developing a Stage Zero Wetland at the point where the water leaves the farm, we are ensuring maximum purity of water entering the River Meon.
Above Ground Diversity
To achieve a balanced ecosystem we want to maximise the diversity of crops, nature and wildlife throughout the valley. This will help maintain a natural balance and reduce the chance of pests and diseases taking over and requiring harsh chemical treatment controls. Watch this space to see various re-wilding projects and natural support systems.
Cow and Herd Wellbeing
As mentioned above, livestock are an integral part of the natural food producing ecosystem and if farmed in the right way will greatly contribute to soil health and production. It is however important the cow and herd wellbeing is maintained at the highest level and continually improving, which is always something we have strived to achieve.