Regenerative agriculture (RegenAg) is gaining a lot interest from farmers, government, retailers and agribusinesses. There is currently no consensus of the aims, objectives and practices associated with RegenAg but many farmers are following six key principles:

• Understand the context of the farm
• Minimise soil disturbance
• Maximise crop diversity
• Keep the soil covered
• Maintain a living root
• Integrate livestock

Many people report significant benefits associated with RegenAg such as:

• Improving soil health
• Supporting biodiversity
• Potential to reduce inputs
• Increased business resilience
• Carbon sequestration

However, there are also many uncertainties and challenges, particularly during the transition phase to regenerative farming:

• Reduced yield
• Requirement for new skills
• Initial financial input
• Lack of evidence-based practice

The FixOurFood team at the University of Leeds are working to understand the aims, motivations, challenges and barriers to uptake of RegenAg practices. A survey of 140 farmers highlighted that lack of information on good practice, lack of evidence and lack of financial support were the main challenges of moving to RegenAg. Our RegenAg research focuses on four key areas

Trial Design

The plots are designed to test the impact of seven different farming systems, including conventional management, and systems following different combinations of the five principles of RegenAg.

This is the only trial of its kind in the UK as it:

• Has been co-designed with local farmers and allied organisations including agribusinesses, charitable organisations, government departments and agronomists.
• Compares multiple pathways to transition (e.g. different combinations of practices) in a scientific replicated experiment. 
• Is a large plot trial so commercial equipment can be used to reflect a real farm system with livestock integration. 
• Measures high frequency greenhouse gas emissions including nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide throughout the day and year to accurately determine the contribution RA systems can make to net zero.

What we measure

Each plot is 12m x 40m so that we can use commercial equipment and integrate livestock. This also enables us to have destructive and non-destructive sampling areas so that we can measure –

• Soil chemical, physical and biological attributes
• Biodiversity
• Crop growth and development
• Pests, diseases and weeds
• Greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane)
• Yield quantity and quality
• Profit of each system

Greenhouse gas chambers on RegenAg trial

We share updates on our work, latest results and learnings through a range of different media and activities, such as farm walks, blogs, events (e.g. Great Yorkshire Show and Groundswell), online seminars and videos.

Below you can find links to further information.

Supporting evidence-based practice and knowledge transfer for farmers

Transforming to a regenerative farming system in Yorkshire

Regenerative Farming Systems Research Flyer

On 7 and 8 May, researchers from the FixOurFood and H3 (Healthy soils, Healthy food, Healthy people) research projects came together with farmers and allied organisations to ‘Share Experiences of RegenAg’. The event was supported by funds from the Transforming UK Food System Programme, which both projects are part of, and held at the University of Leeds farm and Hazelwood Castle. 

Watch some short videos from the workshop