Cream of the Crop: One Brand’s Quiet Quest to Reinvent the Dairy Industry
Regenerative agriculture is increasingly seen as a vital tool for making dairy farming more resilient in the face of a changing climate. But what exactly is it? From mob grazing to herbal leys, let's demystify this approach.
When considering strategies for a greener future, dairy cows might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, as extreme weather events become more frequent, the need for climate-smart, resilient farms is becoming increasingly pressing. The UK, a nation with a strong dairy tradition, relies heavily on domestic milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt production. With such high demand, ensuring the productivity and resilience of dairy farms is crucial.
Somerset-based brand Yeo Valley Organic takes a unique approach to achieving this resilience through regenerative agriculture—a system that prioritizes the health of soil, animals, wildlife, and people. Will Mayor, Yeo Valley Organic’s farms development manager, emphasizes the importance of "soil, not oil," highlighting the need to work with nature rather than against it.
Regenerative agriculture aims to create a holistic system that goes beyond organic standards. According to Mei Casal, senior policy advisor at WWF UK, regenerative farming could reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking 900,000 cars off UK roads annually. It's not just about cutting emissions; it's about building resilience through natural means.
Yeo Valley Organic combines organic and regenerative principles, with dairy cows playing a central role. On their Holt Farm, the company experiments with diverse herbal leys—mixtures of grasses, legumes, and herbs, instead of simple grass pastures. This summer, they introduced 29 plant species, including sunflowers, which the cows trample into the ground, enhancing soil health.
This approach is not just beneficial for the cows; it contributes to a thriving ecosystem. Casal notes that regenerative agriculture aligns with organic practices, sharing a common goal of moving away from intensive farming and cultivating in harmony with nature.