Farmers considering the move to a regenerative farming system must have a plan and introduce gradual changes, or there’s a danger that they will expose their businesses to an unacceptable level of risk.

Understanding that it is a change in farming practice, not just in cultivations, is key to making it work from the outset, with the right mindset being an essential component, say Base members – all of whom have introduced the concept across their farms or are in the process of doing so.

See also: Regenerative farming: The theory and the farmers doing it

“The biggest change required is the one between your ears,” says soils consultant Steve Townsend. “Once that has taken place, you can make a start.”

As soil management is at the centre of a regenerative system, there are principles that apply to all farms, but the timescales for their introduction will be different.

Those who have already taken the plunge say that instant results are rarely achieved.

Soil carbon

“Regenerative agriculture is about building up carbon in the soil, so that the system becomes more resilient and reduces environmental risk,” explains Mr Townsend.

“Depending on your starting point, it takes time to do that, which is why it’s site-specific.”

As such, there must be some understanding of soil fertility and nutrient management, so that crops continue to perform while the system is in transition.

High-yielding wheat crops will continue to have a requirement for applied nutrients, despite plenty of advice to the contrary.

“The initial savings come from reducing fixed costs, rather than inputs,” he notes.

“As you’re building carbon in the soil, the availability of nutrients such as phosphate can reduce initially.

“Over time, that changes and you may be able to cut back, depending on your circumstances.”

No-till facilitates improvements in soil biology and carbon quality, so soil disturbance should be minimised, he adds.

“You’re relying on soil fungi to produce glomalin, which holds the soil together.

“If you then destroy the fine network of fungal hyphae by cultivating, you’re not going to see any change.” 

Having a plan

Any plan to introduce regenerative practices should be driven by the farm’s rotation and the level of risk that the grower is prepared to accept, believes Mr Townsend.

In a typical combinable crops rotation, oilseed rape can be a good place to start as it isn’t established by ploughing – with a no-till system then used to establish the following winter wheat crop.

Where winter barley would normally be grown next – the switch to a spring crop helps with volunteer control and provides an opportunity to introduce a cover crop to help with soil function.

In this way, steady changes are introduced over three years, he comments. “And it may be sensible to only do half of the crop when you start, in which case it will take six years.”    

Common early days mistakes

1. Switching to low inputs – moving to a regenerative system doesn’t mean going low input immediately, although there is usually a reduction possible.
2. Start by improving your soil, but recognise that soil biology is hungry in the early days, which can be at the expense of your crops. As soils improve and start to recycle more nitrogen, adjustments can be made.
3. Changing the whole farm – going “cold turkey” and introducing a regenerative approach across the whole farm in one season can be overwhelming and difficult, often resulting in disappointment.
4. A better approach is to introduce it to a designated area of the farm, so that lessons are learned and experience gained.
5. Fixating on the drill – while the right drill is important and can facilitate the system, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution.
6. The no-till market has moved to disc drills in recent years, but starting with a tine drill is often a better approach, as they create tilth. What works best at the start of the journey may not be the ideal choice as the system matures.
7. Expecting too much from drainage – moving from man-made drainage to natural drainage must be managed carefully, as there is a time when you might have neither. Much will depend on soil condition.

Infiltration rates and water holding capacity will improve as organic matter levels improve, earthworm activity increases and living roots are part of the farming system.

 New Series: Regenerative Agriculture – Making the Change

This is the first article in a five-part series on how to introduce regenerative agriculture.

Future articles will include building carbon-rich soils, designing a diverse rotation, reducing your reliance on the can/bag and introducing livestock to the system.