Advanced BioFuels USA

by John Fargher (AgFunderNews/AgriWebb) Regenerative farming has often been a controversial topic – largely due to confusion regarding its true definition. Some believe that it involves a return to pre-industrial farming techniques, and fear it’s about pursuing sustainability instead of profits.

This is simply untrue. In fact, the term was popularized in the US by an organic farmer as an alternative to the rather limiting label of ‘sustainable farming.’

Regenerative agriculture, at its simplest, puts land management at the center of a farming enterprise. It’s about leaving the property you farm in better condition than you found it. From my personal experience, our family has been doing this for generations on our South Australian pastoral station in the northern Flinders Ranges. For decades, we have focused on flora and fauna pest eradication, reducing soil erosion, resting paddocks for long periods of time, and actively regenerating native plant growth.

Today, many of regenerative ag’s principles are more easily applied thanks to the development of new technology.

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Soil health is a core concern for practitioners of regenerative ag. Soils that are structurally sound, rich with organic matter, and alive with microorganisms can better retain water and store carbon.

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As farmers manage about 51% of the Australian landscape, it is vital that we educate the industry, our colleagues, and consumers on the importance and benefits of regenerative agriculture.

So what does regenerative farming entail – and is it likely that you might already be doing it?

The basic tenets of regenerative ag are an emphasis on rotational grazing, a reduction in chemical use, minimal tillage, and a focus on tree planting. These methods all help to maintain the landscape and reduce erosion, increase biodiversity, and increase animal health and welfare. Ultimately, they allow you to gain maximum value from the land for years to come.

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With the addition of technology, the principles of regenerative farming can be enhanced.

Soil monitoring can be managed via probes and remote imaging techniques that provide up-to-date pasture analysis, giving farmers more knowledge about the condition of their land. This allows them to optimize inputs and reduce their use of chemicals.

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Additionally, developments in farm machinery — such as controlled traffic systems and precision-guided seeding — can reduce soil damage. Variable-rate application of fertilizers and pesticides, based on collected data sets, can lead to a substantial reduction in chemical use.  READ MORE

Rooting the future in engineered climate-smart crops (Carbon 180)

Storing carbon in the prairie grass: Plans would pay landowners to keep the ecosystem in a natural state to fight climate change. (Washington Post)

The Soil Revolution That Could Save Farming And The Climate (Huffington Post)

Flip the Script on Profitability (Farm Journal/AgWeb)

Can Regenerative Agriculture Reverse Climate Change? (Yahoo! Life/Now This News; includes VIDEO)