Regenerative Agriculture: Approach

INTRODUCTIONAPPROACHOUTCOMES

THE APPROACH IS BUILT ON

The Biological Flywheel

The success of Regen is built on driving a virtuous cycle in which energy from increased photosynthesis drives increased plant root exudates that feed and encourage a larger and more diverse soil microbiome.

The microbiome thrives in the absence of disturbance, and in doing so creates better soil structure and increases the availability, uptake and balance of soil-held nutrients by the plants so that the rate of photosynthesis increases.

This biological flywheel supports microbe proliferation, deeper roots, improved nutrient uptake, increased soil water holding, more pest resistant plants and compounds soil fertility.

Where to begin

Transition

The principles of soil health apply  from sand to silt, from peat to clay and everything in between.

There is no need to go cold turkey!

  • We cannot just give up all inputs and all cultivations without consequences.
  • Planned change over time is required, selecting from a menu of available steps as progress, cropping and conditions allow.
  • The rate of change (multiplication and diversity) in soil biology and consequential structure will drive and enable the rate of progress.

Progress will not be linear, sometimes it may feel like one step forward and two steps back.

Transition Options

A draft menu of options that can be used in generating a transition plan to enable change whilst minimizing risk. The menu is designed as a pick’n mix tool, flexible across timescales, systems and contexts.

Low Hanging Fruit

  • Reduce cultivations and grow cover crops; make a start with the easiest part.
  • Use Where to start diagram.

Cultivation

  • Make appropriate cultivation choices rather than arbitrary ones.
  • Use the cultivation diagram to help.

Grow Cover Crops

  • Select appropriate cover crops for the environment
  • Consider mixed species cover crops

Fertiliser

  • Use appropriate fertilisers that enhance biological activity and do the least damage to soil life and plant roots.
  • Use fertiliser diagram and salt index to aid these decisions

Rotations

  • Create a framework
  • Consider how to maximise the benifit of rotation
  • Create space for options

Livestock

  • For many farms there will be challenges in livestock incorporation.
  • Where product mix or farm resources limit ruminant grazing, focus on below ground livestock.