16 August 2024

New evidence has been released by Natural England which examines the impact of the government’s agri-environment schemes, and concludes that areas where farmers provide good habitats show an increase in wildlife populations. Data shows an average of 25% more birds on land with environmentally friendly schemes, and up to 53% more butterflies. The report also covers the trade-offs between food production and nature protection, examining nine land-use scenarios and finding that none could deliver emissions reductions without reducing food supply.

The summer grain harvest is well underway, and farmers are starting to see the impact of the year’s wet weather on yields. The amount of wheat planted fell by almost a tenth when fields were too waterlogged to plant in the spring, with two-thirds of farmers reporting that they have lost money due to the weather. A farmer speaking on Farming Today explained how she is trying to restore previously waterlogged soil by sowing cover crop seeds and letting natural grasses and wildflowers grow back to improve resilience.

A report published this week by the Wildlife Trusts has identified drought as the biggest threat to UK nature reserves. The report demonstrates their approach to climate change adaptation and is broken into six themes, which include peatlands, woodlands and freshwater. It highlights a need for better evidence to improve understandings of how drier, hotter weather and more intense periods of drought will impact peatlands and the species living there. 

The winners of Farm Carbon Toolkit’s Soil Farmer of the Year competition have announced their first farm walks, which are to be held in September. The winners of this year’s competition, which aims to find the farmers who are most passionate about soil management, are based in Buckinghamshire, and the walks will provide an opportunity to learn how their soil management strategy has benefitted their business. 

An article has explained how regenerative farming practises not only benefit soil health and biodiversity, but can also have a positive impact on mental health. The improved microbial diversity resulting from regenerative agriculture promotes bacteria M. vaccae which is known to increase the brain’s natural production of serotonin. The article recommends that policy makers consider this co-benefit when designing farming policy.

In a separate article, Ambrook Research explains mycoremediation – the use of mycelium to restore soil health. The emerging field of study looks at the ability of certain fungi’s mycelium to ‘eat’ toxins in the soil by producing enzymes which degrade toxins including plastics and petroleum. In one example, oyster mushroom blocks were able to reduce oil waste in soil by 96%.

Scientists in China who are analysing lunar soil samples have discovered the presence of graphene. The study suggests that the graphene, which is a form of carbon widely used in electronics, was created by solar winds and volcanic activity, and it is hoped that the findings could inform new and cheaper ways to produce the material on earth.