UK Dairy Farms Get Greener with Regenerative Agriculture
Dairy farms in the UK are adopting regenerative agriculture to become more resilient in the face of climate change. Regenerative agriculture combines organic and regenerative principles to promote healthy soil, animals, wildlife, and people. Yeo Valley Organic, a Somerset-based brand, is at the forefront of this movement.
Regenerative agriculture can help reduce carbon emissions and make farms more resilient to extreme weather conditions. A diverse ecosystem with a mix of plants and animals is key to this approach. For example, Yeo Valley Organic's dairy cows graze on diverse herbal leys, which include sunflowers, grasses, and legumes.
The cows' grazing helps to break down the plants into compost, improving soil health. This, in turn, benefits pollinators like hoverflies, butterflies, and bees. A healthy insect population helps keep pests under control and boosts crop yields.
Regenerative agriculture is not just about the environment; it also improves the quality of the milk and the cows' nutrition. Tenant farmer Holly Wilkinson notes that improving soil health can be seen in its texture, smell, and structure.
Yeo Valley Organic's farms development manager, Will Mayor, emphasizes the importance of mimicking natural grazing patterns. This involves moving livestock around the pasture to give the grass a rest and promote a diverse ecosystem.
To support regenerative agriculture, shoppers can look for brands that share their stories on packaging or visit the farms themselves. Ultimately, regenerative and organic farms need to become the new conventional standard, with policies, finance, and business models prioritizing nature.
