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Conservation agriculture initiative results show economic and environmental gains

Conservation agriculture crop establishment techniques can deliver up to 18% uplift in growers net profits, whilst also providing significant enhancement of key environmental and ecological measures, according to the latest findings of the Syngenta Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Farming Systems initiative.

See what the results have found

"As the agricultural industry changes, we want to support our growers with advice on how to manage farms in a sustainable way. Conservation Agriculture may provide us with a chance to reduce costs, improve soil health and develop a sustainable farming system to maintain or possibly improve farm profitability and food security whilst supporting wider biodiversity and protecting natural resources.”

- Belinda Bailey, Syngenta Sustainable Farming Manager

Conservation Ag Initiative Yr 3 results panel 1

Find out how the Syngenta Conservation Agriculture initiative is seeking to understand, identify and assess the economic and environmental benefits of conservation agriculture establishment techniques, on a field and whole farm scale

Get the details here
Conservation Ag Initiative Yr 3 results panel 2

Performance results from the trials' third year show the potential for environmental and economic gains from direct drill-based establishment systems. Whilst yields may be slightly down, the cost savings add up to increased overall net profit, for a more sustainable option

See all the results on light and heavy land soils
Conservation Ag Initiative Yr 3 results panel 3

The Conservation Agriculture initiative has clearly shown enhancement in key measures for soil health, carbon reduction and wider farm biodiversity - opening opportunities in tune with UK farm policy reform and developing sustainable systems.

See the implications of establishment systems for soil health and earthworms

Click on the icons below for a video tour of each element of the Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Farming Initiative, with the experiences and views of farmers. researchers and influencers involved with the project.

Get an overview of the project from Belinda Bailey here, or drive straight in and start watching the set by clicking the highlighted icons. 

Hover over and click on the icons below to watch the videos

Trialing three farming systems

Conventional plough-based cultivations and establishment of principally winter crops in rotation

Introduces practices of reduced non-inversion tillage, along with spring crops and cover crops 

Further moves to no-tillage and direct drilling for crop establishment, including cover crops

 
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Conservation Agriculture and Sustainable Farming Practices Project at Loddington

About the trials sites

Andy Barr Phil Jarvis

Trial at Loddington

in conjunction with GWCT and NIAB

  • Heavy land site
  • 5 fields split 3 ways to cover each scenario
  • 5 year rotation: Hyvido-OSR-WW-S Beans/Peas-WW

Watch Farmer Phil discuss why he is involved in the project and his learnings from the first season.

 

 

 

 

Trial in Kent

in conjunction with NIAB

  • Light land site
  • 4 fields split 3 ways to cover each system
  • 5 year rotation: WW-SB-S Beans-WW-OSR
View results from year one