Farming for the Climate

Cabinet Secretary visits pioneer climate change focus farm

Kilmarnock NFU Scotland member demonstrates to Mairi Gougeon how they are farming for a better climate

During COP26, the Kerr family hosted Cabinet Minister for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon to their dairy business at Woodhead Farm, Newmilns, Ayrshire, to demonstrate how they are farming for a better climate.

During the visit, Chair of NFU Scotland’s Kilmarnock Branch, John Kerr, spoke about the steps the family business has taken to reduce emissions during and since Woodhead’s time as a Climate Change Focus Farm from 2014 to 2018.

The farm has focussed on regenerative steps to make the most from grass and its amazing carbon sequestering properties, using a dribble bar for slurry applications, more efficient milk cooling systems and much more.

Commenting on the special visit John said: “Whilst all eyes have been on the COP26 climate change conference taking place in the city of Glasgow, we were delighted to meet the Cabinet Minister and show first-hand how Ayrshire’s dairy and livestock farmers are taking action on climate change. We are minimising our impact on the environment, sequestering carbon in our pastures all whilst continuing to produce nutritious food and underpinning the local economy.”

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “Agriculture has an important role to play in tackling the climate crisis and it is hugely encouraging to see how, at Woodhead Farm, the Kerr’s are demonstrating that what is good for the environment can also be sound business practice.

“Through engagement with our Farming for a Better Climate initiative it is estimated that John and Anne have reduced their farm’s carbon footprint by around 6% and saved £63,000, with no loss of production. They also received a grant through the pilot Sustainable Agricultural Grant Scheme for a Dribble Bar slurry spreading attachment.

“The Scottish Government is committed to transforming the way we support farming and food production to become a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture.

“Our initiatives include the National Test Programme, which will invest up to £51 million over three years in supporting farmers and crofters to tackle climate change, improve the environment and support biodiversity.

“In addition, the AgriEnvironment Climate Scheme will reopen for funding in 2022 to support the ambition of doubling the amount of land under organic management, set out in the Programme for Government 202122”.

Farmers working towards net-zero

Rebecca Audsley, Farming for a Better Climate Project Lead, SAC Consulting

As no two farms are the same, it’s difficult to provide a definitive blueprint for reducing emissions on farm that will work for all. However, there are a few general principles that are worth considering as part of any low carbon business:

Know your starting point.

Where do most of your greenhouse gas losses come from? An annual carbon footprint is another way to look at your business performance and demonstrate change year on year. It can show how you compare with like businesses, highlighting areas where you excel or activities that offer scope for savings, both in terms of cash and/or carbon. Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service (FAS) could offer funding towards a carbon audit – see www.fas.scot/

carbon-audits/

Identify low carbon measures suited to your

farm. What practical actions could you adapt or adopt? The volunteer Climate Change Focus Farmers showed even the most technically efficient farms can still cut emissions and realise financial benefits through low or no cost changes to routine activities. Areas for reduction were often centred around soils and nutrient use (soil testing, soil health and nutrient budgeting) and livestock management (feed, fertility and health).

Monitor and measure,

review and refine. How much fuel you are using? Are there options for reduced tillage within your rotation? What’s the nutritional value of your silage and could you further tailor your ration? There are plenty of simple and practical measures to consider that can enhance productivity, profitability and reduce your farm carbon footprint with no loss of production.

Promote what you do!

Farmers are already taking steps to combat climate change – tell people! On the run up to COP26 last October, Farming for a Better Climate social media featured farmers across Scotland highlighting just one of the ways they were reducing emissions from their farm. If you missed it, see #26days26ways on

Facebook and Twitter @ SacFarm4Climate.

For practical guides and case studies based on activities on the Focus Farms and within the current Farming for a Better Climate Soil Regenerative Agriculture group visit www.

farmingforabetterclimate.org

and follow us on social media.

To find out more about carbon auditing, practical ideas to reduce emissions from your farm, and to read about what other farmers have done, visit www.farmingforabetterclimate.org find us on Facebook and Twitter @SACFarm4Climate #26days26ways