Scotland is in a great position to deliver sustainable farming for the future according to Berwickshire arable farmer Neil White and he calls on decision-makers to ‘let us grow!.”
Following a stimulating and thought-provoking presentation to NFU Scotland’s recent autumn conference, Neil writes:
Whether it is sustainable farming, regenerative agriculture or nature friendlFor ay farming, these are all terms that describe Scottish farming as we know it. These are all practices we use as part of our everyday business, but we could and should go further. We are all students of sustainable farming, and some are farther down the course than others, but the prospect of failure is daunting as there is no resit!
I have a small farm business. I am concerned that having already added a pond, species rich grassland, buffer strips and grass margins, if I am forced to take more ground out of production my sustainability and efficiency will be seriously compromised. If we are to reach the Scottish Government’s ambition of doubling the value of the Scottish food and drink sector by 2030, then ground like my own MUST be allowed to fulfil its full productive potential.
The area is suitable for growing a very wide selection of combinable crops but vining peas, shop turnips and potatoes are also grown at scale, generating employment and stable communities, funding large and small local and national businesses.
Berwickshire is also the most biodiverse area in Scotland.
These two things are closely linked and rely on each other for sustainability. The UK loses 26,000 hectares of mostly arable ground to roads and development annually, so we now expect more from less.
Scotland is in a great position to deliver. Our soils and production methods are as sustainable as any in the world so ‘IF’ properly calculated and ‘IF’ internationally recognised, the baseline audit could be something that helps us sell our amazing products globally not hinder it.
The biggest change for sustainability, biodiversity and climate change that I have made is a change in tillage to direct drilling. I now put in 80% or more of my crops directly into previous crop stubble. That uses 30% of the fuel and 25% of the time. I don’t grow niche crops. I grow what the market demands. Oats for Quaker, malting and brewing barley, distilling biscuit and feed wheat, pulses, OSR and grass. I grow food, drink and biodiversity while improving soils, reducing my carbon footprint and maintaining or increasing yields. Production must be part of the sustainable plan.
Soil health is key to everything. Despite protests from the family, I am proud to wear my homemade ‘I’ve Got Worms’ T-shirt!
We were delighted to recently host Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon on our farm. We highlighted issues around fertiliser prices and supply. We also pointed out that we must not reduce output on the best ground as that erodes sustainability and efficiency and has consequences - both economic and climatic.
On climate change, I impressed on the Cabinet Secretary that all the valuable work we were doing on farm to promote soil health, biodiversity and reducing emissions – growing a patchwork of crops with minimum tillage, Integrated Pest Management to reduce plant protection product and fertilisers, cover and companion crops to provide habitats, reduce sprays and fix nitrogen – I still do not get enough points and am locked out of the Scottish Government’s Agri-Environment Climate Scheme. Future schemes must be outcome based and reward this kind of activity.
Economically, I pointed out that one kilo of distilled wheat can provide a possible £4.50 in duty and tax to Government, while I receive 20p and it costs less than 1p in support from the taxpayer. That is excellent value for money.
Both Government and the market have led us to this point. We now need them to listen and guide us through volatile and challenging times while keeping us producing here in Scotland, close to our markets, allowing us to manage the tapestry of fields and countryside the tourists flock from around the world to see.
All I ask is let us grow.
The White family has farmed at Greenknowe farm in Berwickshire for 108 years as tenants and owners. The farm is in the centre of the Merse, a flood plain so soils are deep and fertile but vary from sand -sandy loam- clay loam- clay in the length of one field.
Most crops are now direct drilled with a Mzuri drill which tills, consolidates, sows, consolidates and harrows in one pass. The farm grows barley, wheat, oats, pulses, oilseed rape and grass leys. In addition, he grows cover and companion crops.
Neil is on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube at ‘Everything_is_Greenknowe’
For a copy of Neil White’s presentation to NFU Scotland’s autumn conference please contact media@nfus.org.uk