Silvo-arable and silvo-pasture systems, as well as farming forests could help UK agriculture reach next zero carbon emissions by 2040. But tree planting requires long-term planning and a clear understanding of the natural capital potential as well as anticipated economic benefits.
The global uncertainty may look set to continue, but we are looking ahead with some thought-provoking agri-tech and revving up for REAP.
The benefits for farmers of growing trees within crops are not widely known, according to Dr Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-TechE, ahead of an Agri-TechE online event “Seeing the Wood for the Trees”.
“Forestry and Land Scotland has strong ambitions to grow millions more trees, but they simply don’t have enough trees to meet demand,” says Phillip Ayres of Elsoms Seeds, speaking about recent experiments ahead of October’s Agroforestry webinar.
“Forestry and farming to date has been a binary choice but it doesn’t need to be – combining the two can bring new incomes and benefits to the soil,” says Jim O’Neill, of the Forestry Commission. “This isn’t the traditional way of farming, but it is becoming necessary to start thinking outside the box.”
We’re excited to announce a special member’s briefing about opportunities in the Middle East, give a taste of Agri-Tech Week 2020 and welcome you to attend online discussions.
Stephen Briggs gives the lowdown on the UK’s largest agroforestry operation in Cambridgeshire, where he grows cereals and fruits, side by side in strips, across 52 hectares of rich fenland soil. He will be talking about his experiences at an Agri-TechE event.
We hope harvest is going well for those of you out in the field, and that everyone is staying well. This month we’ve been thinking about the role of hybrids and twins in agriculture in our blog – and we’re having a quieter August while we plan 2021’s activities, so “see” you in September.