Farmers believe soil and science go hand-in-hand

Almost nine out of 10 farmers believe regenerative agricultural practices can go in hand-in-hand with the latest agri-technology, reveals a survey.

Carried out by the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM), the survey found 86% of farmers and agricultural industry professionals believe cost is the biggest barrier to the use of technology on-farm.

When asked what they believe will cause the biggest disruption to agricultural and environmental management in the years ahead, 49% cited economic uncertainty, and 46% said climate change.

Most respondents said they were already using regenerative practices, with 61% using minimal or no-till, 48% using diverse cropping rotations, 44% integrating livestock into arable systems, and 29% providing constant soil cover through stubble or cover crops.

Technology uptake

It was a similar picture for the uptake of technology, with 63% using farm management planning and recording software, 45% using telematics and GPS tracking, 42% using livestock technology, and 41% using precision agronomic support systems.

The survey was carried out ahead of the annual National Farm Management Conference in November. The results were positive – but show that a debate is needed about the best way forward, says IAgrM chairman Carl Atkin-House.

“At this year’s National Farm Management Conference, we’re planning to explore the relationship between regenerative agriculture – which often encompasses a return to the less-used traditional aspects of farming practices and technology.

“It’s clear that these two could go very much hand-in-hand, as demonstrated by the vast majority of respondents believing so. But it’s clear that we need to work out how this could work in reality, with costs of technology being so high on the agenda for many.”