Environmental News

Farmers and growers around the world are increasingly having to adapt to the peculiarities of climate change, whether that means shifting drilling and harvest dates, ramping up disease control or moving to more regenerative practices. The non-profit organisation Just Farmers reached out to its farmer network this week to find out what climate change looks like from the field.

A consultation launched by Defra yesterday (28th June) is seeking views on how the government can best support farmers to protect and maintain hedgerows as it looks to put in place new legislation tailored to the needs of English farmers.

A group of 31 farmers from the Test and Itchen catchments in Hampshire are set to join the Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) cooperative with the aim of delivering environmental benefits to the area, such as improved water quality and habitat restoration along the world-famous chalk streams.

A new carbon decision support tool is being piloted by Innovation for Agriculture (IfA) to help farmers choose the most appropriate platform for assessing carbon on their farm from the growing number of options available.

At the first ever ‘Nature for Finance’ event held at Downing Street yesterday (19th June), Defra announced further support for farmers to access private investment for nature recovery projects that deliver outcomes such as improved soil health and ecosystem services on farms to promote sustainable food production.

Natural wildlife corridors such as hedgerows and trees are essential for preserving biodiversity, which is why UK dairy cooperative Arla is encouraging farmers and the public to create spaces for wildlife and help halt the decline of natural habitats throughout Britain.

As part of its plans to reach net zero by 2035, National potato supplier Branston has become one of the first UK businesses to trial a fully electric-powered (EV) truck to support its transport operations, working in partnership with Crossroads Truck and Bus Ltd.

The government has awarded £30 million in funding to over 50 innovative farming projects that will help agriculture move towards net zero, bolster food production and create more resilience and sustainability in the industry, an announcement has revealed today (Wednesday 31 May).

With the frequency of extreme weather events on the rise, there is an increasing need for agriculture to build resilience against climate change, which has been the focus of research carried out by ADAS and the Met Office Hadley Centre to identify ways farmers can adapt their practices to the changing climate.

A new trial pioneering the net zero production of potato crops through sustainable fertilisers, reduced cultivations, varieties and improved soil health has entered its second phase this year, with UK potato supplier Branston leading the way towards achieving net zero production in the years ahead.

UK farmers who are currently transitioning to regenerative agriculture or are already farming in an environmentally friendly way are now able to access a new revenue stream through the AgreenaCarbon programme that aims to see producers rewarded for their regenerative efforts.

Ahead of the Agriculture Bill being passed into legislation later this month, farming and environmental groups called on Welsh ministers to prioritise nature recovery in the bill and support farmers in making changes to help revive nature and wildlife across Wales.