Farming for net zero with Cereals 2021

Cereals has decided to move their focus over to achieving net zero, something they believe farmers and the industry need to join together and approach.

'Boosting agriculture's contribution to achieving net zero, and therefore actively addressing the issue of climate change, should be a priority for all involved in the food chain,' says Dr Ruth Bastow, innovation director at CHAP.

Image credit: Cereals

Cereals is therefore focusing on both best practice and emerging scientific developments to help farmers adapt to and mitigate climate change, explains event director, Alli McEntyre. 'We have top researchers and farmer speakers covering topics from carbon credit schemes to the possibilities of genome editing, looking at both the challenges and opportunities ahead.'

An essential part of CHAP's mission is to provide the solutions, networks and expertise needed to support this journey, and further enhance sustainable farming practices, says Dr Bastow. 'This is a collective goal and we can contribute a lot as an industry - from optimising tillage to reduce machinery inputs and carbon emissions, to using data to inform crop management decisions.'

In the AHDB theatre, Minette Batters, president of the NFU, will outline the road to net zero, while scientists and farmers will explore the practical solutions available. Harry Henderson, knowledge exchange technical manager at AHDB, will chair a Monitor Farmer debate, covering both sides of the coin. 'There's a huge range of opinions on net zero and whether it's achievable is the crux of where we'll head with the debate.

'Are we going to see agriculture become more mixed so that cereal growers also raise livestock, creating wider rotations and using manure to build soil organic matter? Or will we see a reduction in horsepower, a revision in the use of fertilisers and plant nutrition, or probably both?'

Behind all of these potential changes lies the question of responsibility; does it lie with farmers, transporters, processors, retailers or consumers? 'Everyone needs clear guidelines on this because there are grey areas,' says Mr Henderson.

Some farmers are already embracing steps towards net zero through practices like regenerative agriculture, but others are just realising that something is going to have to shift if they can't obtain more value from their crops, he says. 'There might be a real possibility that those who aren't already working towards regenerative agriculture will run out of money once BPS comes to an end.'

Ecological practices of building up organic matter, nutrient cycling and soil health, are slow processes – but the adoption of cover crops, biopesticides, biostimulants and natural manures can play a vital part.

Genome editing allows plant varieties to be developed much faster than previously possible, explains Wendy Harwood, senior scientist at the John Innes Centre. 'It produces the same results that we would get from conventional breeding, but much quicker, as we can precisely tweak the crop's DNA to get the exact trait wanted.'

This could be anything from disease resistance to drought tolerance – reducing inputs and improving water utilisation – all of which could help on the road to net zero, she says.

The first developments are likely to be along the lines of disease resistance, with a wheat that is resistant to mildew already developed. 'It's likely that genome editing will foster other developments such as improved nutritional content or better storage properties,' adds Prof Harwood.

But there are a few hurdles to overcome first – the chief being legislation and the differentiation between genome editing and genetic modification. 'These two are quite different. In its simplest form genome editing only involves small changes to the existing DNA whereas genetic modification adds something new.'

But while legislation is holding up some advancing technologies, others are able to steam ahead – one being carbon offsetting. Gentle Farming is enabling regenerative farmers to benefit financially from their activities. Thomas Gent started looking into carbon credit schemes in the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 and now operates the UK's first internationally certified soil carbon offsetting scheme.
Using field data as well as satellite imaging, farmers can measure improvements in carbon storage from practices like reduced tillage, cover cropping and reduced fertiliser input, he explains.

Regenerative farming is not just about carbon – there's also water quality and biodiversity that come into play. It's also about helping farmers to tell their own individual stories in their journey to improve soils and combat climate change, says Mr Gent. 'Net zero is not a problem, it's an opportunity.'

To learn more about Cereals and their upcoming event visit their website, HERE.

 

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.