Regenerative farming does not have to mean compromising on production, as visitors to this year's award-winning Down to Earth South event heard. 

A record 1,900 farmers and trade flocked through the gates of Rushywood Farm, Chard, Somerset, last week (21 June), where host farmer Neil Baker explained how implementing regenerative farming principles had resulted in him increasing output from his land by 20-30%. 

Neil, who milks 1,800 cows, employs 35 staff and operates a fully- housed system, said: "Regenerative farming and output are not in conflict. We have increased the amount of forage generated and, as a result, have increased the amount of kgs of solids out of the nutrients and are producing more per kg of carbon," he said. 

Neil explained that regenerative farming wasn't prescriptive and 'can mean whatever you want'. He added: "We have been doing regen things for a long time, but we only fully understood them when Arla asked us to become a regenerative pilot farm. It opened our eyes and educated us on why we were doing things. We have since realised the most beneficial things for costs are also best for the environment." 

Neil said that regenerative farming had some clear principles and that access to animals and their manure are a key part of it, regardless of farm type. 

He also stressed the importance of mixed farming as one of the primary regenerative farming principles. 

"You can never have one crop in a field; monocultures are a no. Having more than one species increases biodiversity. It's also important to reduce what we are putting on the land. If we can just half the amount of pesticides, herbicides and fertiliser in the same way we have managed to reduce antibiotics on farms, then we can help safeguard the insects and microflora." 

Neil openly admitted he wasn't doing it all but accepted he was on a journey. 

Before adopting regen principles, he was predominately growing grass and maize. Now he has incorporated wheat and peas and barley wholecrop into the mix alongside the grass and maize. He is also growing pollinator corridors.  

Increasing the variety of crops grown means he uses his manure more strategically rather than concentrating the manure spreading window when growing grass and maize. 

He is trying to be more resilient on forage stocks feeding an 80% home-grown ration. He has an annual rolling stock of 27,000t of forage, which he estimates is enough to last him six months. 

"10 years ago, we weren't even growing half of this. Our rolling forage stocks are now a key KPI." 

Neil said that producing less milk in this country was not an option since it is produced to a higher standard. "Every day, 60,000l of milk goes down our drive, fulfilling the needs for half of Somerset. We are also powering 900 homes from the manure used in the Ad Plant and produce beef off the farm. I prefer the term circular farming over regenerative as it's thinking about the whole farm, as well as the staff and the community. They are all part of circular farming." 

Commenting on the event, Matt Knight, RABDF Managing Director and Show Organiser, said: "The sheer number of visitors, which exceeded last year's inaugural event in Shropshire, demonstrates the thirst for knowledge. The fact that Neil is operating an indoor, fully housed intensive operation clearly highlights that regenerative principles can be applied no matter what the system." 

Down to Earth North  

He added: "Due to the demand, we are excited to be hosting two Down to Earth events this summer, with the next one on 6 July in Cumbria, home to Mark and Jenny Lee at Torpenhow Dairy. This farm is quite different to Neil's as they had a lightbulb moment seven years ago when they witnessed their cows choosing to graze an area of a field that had not been sprayed and seeking a more diverse diet. That was their springboard to start making changes and committing the land at Park House Farm into regenerative farming." 

More information on Down to Earth North, event timings and speakers can be found at projectdowntoearth.co.uk    

About RABDF 

RABDF is the sole UK charity focussed on the unique needs of milk producers. They are the only dairy organisation holding a Royal Warrant, with the influence and access to funding that brings.