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Sustainability in Farming
When I talk about sustainability in farming, which I do a lot, I don’t just mean looking after the environment and reducing global warming. I mean making sure farming communities see sustainability in farming.
They need to earn a decent living whilst caring for our precious countryside.
And currently, in the UK, farming patently isn’t sustainable at all. The average age of a farmer has been rising steadily for years and is now about 65. That tells you something is wrong.
I met this tree alone in a field in Dentdale in July 2023. It is vast. A Sycamore, the girth 4 metres plus, putting it at about 450 years old. It is grazed to the base yet one or two epiphytes cling to its upper branches. It should be the centre-piece of a rehabilitated woodland, surrounded by Sessile Oak, Hazel and Birch. I registered it with the Woodland Trust that night. They were unaware of its existence.
The exact definition of sustainability bears some consideration;
“The property of being environmentally sustainable; the degree to which a process or enterprise is able to be maintained or continued while avoiding the long-term depletion of natural resources”. {OED}
That process or enterprise includes the farm, the farmer and the farming system.
In time our Shepherds of the Trees project aims to provide exactly what we are talking about – “Sustainability in Farming“
We also have a website dedicated specifically to the project at “www.shepherdsofthetrees.org”
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Soil
Soil s something we all take for granted.
I’m surprised, first of all, that I have not written about this before. Soil is the absolute foundation for farming and we exploit soil at our peril. It comes in many guises, from peat to clay and that in turn affects the vegetation that grows in that soil, including our food.
Soil erosion and loss is a huge factor affecting our world. Soil stores carbon. Bare soil is an absolute catastrophe for the planet, it simply bleeds CO2. This continues until all that is left is sand.
Historically (i.e. more than 150 years ago) Carbon Dioxide levels in out atmosphere were not really affected by either farming or wood and fossil fuel burning. Even so humans had already started destroying soils, the prime example being the massive expansion of the Sahara desert by grazing pressure from livestock.
Where did soil come from.
A great place to learn about this is by watching Earth with Chris Packham.
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Feed or Save Our World ?
Feed or Save Our World; that is the question asked by farmers. The simple academic answer is we must save the world, then we can feed the humans.
In trying harder and harder simply to feed ten billion we are destroying our home. It must also be pointed out that it is a shared home. We now know we cannot survive without the ecological support of stable, ancient and complex ecosystems. These ecosystems need land and water every bit as much as we do.
Here are a few hard facts; Climate change is already responsible for more migration than conflict; Land is a scarce resource and becoming scarcer by the day; It is farmers who feed the vast majority of the humans on the planet and most pertinent of all It is also farmers who feed the majority of mammals and birds on the planet.
This letter has also been published as an Earth and Leaf blog which you can find at https://earthandleaf.org/feed-or-save-our-world/
So why pay to join Earth and Leaf?
Have a look at this youtube presentation – The Ninth Revolution
So which is the choice – Feed or Save Our World ?
Here is a link to our page about Direct Messages on Climate Change
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Net Zero and Carbon Credits Exposed for all to See!
Net Zero and Carbon Credits are both concepts that allow polluters to continue to pollute. Fact.
Both ideas have been drawn up to not rock the boat, yet to appear as though governments are doing something about global warming. The glaring problem with Net Zero and Carbon Credits are the words “net” and “credits”.
https://www.efeca.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/UK-RTSS-APR-2021.pdf
I’m writing this because today I learned that an estate in Leicestershire will earn £120,000 by farming sustainably. Every farmer should be farming sustainably. There’s a dark side to the £120,000 though. The farm in question is selling the carbon credits. Some are being bought by the Mercedes Benz formula one team so that they can claim in time to becoming a net zero racing outfit. In other words Mercedes Benz are buying Net Zero and Carbon Credits to improve their status whilst still producing the same level of CO2. And remember CO2 production is cumulative not annually turned over. Net Zero and Carbon Credits are misleading.
Im typing stuff just for the sake of typing the words net zero and carbon credits. Well boo its worked 605 waords
We must also realise that the carbon capture calculations on the farm do not include the sale off farm of carbon as meat. Lambs and Beef. Additionally the Methane produced by those beef animals and sheep is not counted in the equation.
Claims in farming that well managed pasture for example on a dairy farm absorb as much carbon as the rainforest each year may indeed be true, but it is not the full picture. In fact it is grossly misleading. Why? Carbon is also output from each hectare of land. It intensive dairy farming large quantities on nitrogenous fertiliser are used to make the grass grow faster. As the grass grows faster it absorbs more carbon. That is good isn’t it? Of itself yes, but that grass is removed, harvested to make silage or grazed for milk. The milk, meat and animal carcasses are removed from the farm and as they are consumed Carbon Dioxide is released. At the input end, the nitrogenous fertiliser is made from Oil. This releases huge amounts of CO2.
There’s more. The cows spend the winter indoors, some are indoors all year round. Their diet is made up from grass and supplementary concentrate rations. The major protein source in these rations is Soya. In a typical year each cow may eat about 400 kg of soya. Ten UK cows eat about one hectares worth of Soya each year. That’s a hectare of rainforest or Cerrado. Have a look at Net Zero and carbon Credits undressed (below). Imported animal feed farcically ain’t included in the UK Net Zero calculations.
And then there’s the Methane. Its a big part of the problem not covered by Net Zero and Carbon Credits. I have written other posts on Methane; Methane Emissions Must be Eliminated as a No 1 Priority; Bottom Trawling Destroys the Seabed and Must End Now
Net Zero and Carbon Credits Undressed
The Royal Society explain neatly what Net Zero is – What is net Zero?
Not included in the UK Net Zero calculations – Aviation, Foreign Imports and Finance. Oh dear. We are a net importer, especially of food. We are a major world player in Aviation, London is a world finance capital responsible for almost half of our GDP. Net zero here then by 2050 means nothing.
Lets look at another youtube video for Carbon Credits – What are Carbon Credits?
There we are – Net Zero and Carbon Credits Exposed for what they are, just empty political words.
The claim that it stores as much is simply incorrect.
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Our National Parks are Stunning but Flawed
Our National Parks are stunning but flawed. They are not quite what they seem. Yes they are beautiful, they preserve the heritage of their area at least physically, but not socially.
Not quite as described on the tin ……
Our national parks attract millions of visitors each year. Our park authorities are tasked with preserving their heritage and they do so admirably under great financial pressure. They are still exclusively dominated by farming, mainly be beef and sheep, with some dairy farming. the moors are largely owned by estates who use them for grouse shooting.
This all begs the question What do we really want from our National Parks?
Indeed. On the moorland our wildlife is brutally under threat from zealous gamekeepers and unfriendly owners. Hen Harriers are still in decline. An Osprey was recently shot during a grouse drive.
Lower down the hills sheep dominate the landscape. In Derbyshire the Peak Forest was felled land was enclosed by thousands of miles of dry stone walls to keep in the sheep.
Meanwhile the villages in the parks are unable to support shops and pubs. Young couples in the parks cannot afford homes and are forced to move away. The social structure is collapsing. Our rich rural heritage of robust self supporting communities has largely collapsed. Modern farming methods have decimated the wildlife. Reform of the sheep industry would be a good place to start – Click here to find out how.
Our National Parks:
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Methane Emissions Must be Eliminated as a No 1 Priority
Short term gains in the fight to save the planet can be made if we understand that dealing with methane emissions must be a priority 1st is best. Methane is rapidly heating up our world and some sources we can directly control.
Its is fact that Carbon Dioxide does most of the long term damage, but it is also true that Methane is over thirty times more potent than CO2. Methane also leaves the atmosphere fairly quickly, Carbon Dioxide does not.
So, where are the sources of Methane emissions?
Agriculture, decomposition of waste and fossil fuels – these are under our control and account for 60% of the Methane in the atmosphere. The majority of this is agriculture, namely livestock farming.
Wetlands are the largest natural source and there is little we can do there. However wetlands absorb methane too and vast amounts of Carbon Dioxide. Wetlands are also critical for biodiversity and home to a disproportionately large number of species:
All about Methane Emissions
Methane (CH4) is a powerful greenhouse gas, and is the second-largest contributor to climate warming after carbon dioxide (CO2). A molecule of methane traps more heat than a molecule of CO2, but methane has a relatively short lifespan of 7 to 12 years in the atmosphere, while CO2 can persist for hundreds of years or more.
Methane comes from both natural sources and human activities. An estimated 60% of today’s methane emissions are the result of human activities. The largest sources of methane are agriculture, fossil fuels, and decomposition of landfill waste. Natural processes account for 40% of methane emissions, with wetlands being the largest natural source. (Learn more about the Global Methane Budget.)
The concentration of methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled over the past 200 years. Scientists estimate that this increase is responsible for 20 to 30% of climate warming since the Industrial Revolution (which began in 1750).
Why is it that dealing with methane emissions is so critical?
We can control methane production from our agriculture simply by stopping mass production of beef and dairy products. We must still focus on Carbon Dioxide as well, but Methane should be a short term target.
Learn more about Methane heating up our world and what we know by clicking on the links below:
Our Earth and Leaf World Explained
What we now know about climate change
Also have alook at our post on Net Zero and Carbon Credits
This is why dealing with Methane Emissions is so important.
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Is Biomass Really a Sustainable Fuel ?
Is Biomass a sustainable fuel ? That’s the question.
Ash trees must not be used for firewood.
There is a good biomass case study right on our doorstep here in Yorkshire. Drax power station.
Drax was responsible for three per cent of the UKs total carbon emissions last year.
Our last coal fired power station at Ratcliffe on Soar was responsible for a quarter of that. This power station closed on Monday 30th September 2024.
Frankie Mayo, an analyst at Ember, said: “Burning wood pellets can be as bad for the environment as coal; supporting biomass with subsidies is a costly mistake.”
Fact – burning wood pellets for power generation releases more emissions for each unit of electricity generated than burning gas or coal
Is Biomass a Sustainable Fuel ?
There are some biomass articles in our Document Library relating to Drax:
If you want to learn more about what you can do change our world, join Earth and Leaf
Is Biomass a Sustainable Fuel ? – Q and A
Question
Where do the Drax biomass wood pellets come from?
Answer
North America and Canada, a little from the UK
Conclusion
How much Carbon Dioxide does Drax produce each year?
Drax directly produces 11.5 million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per year.
This figure does not include the millions of tonnes of CO2 released by felling the forests. It certainly does not include the CO2 generated building the MV Ultra Yorkshire whose sole purpose in transporting pellets from North America to the UK. Not sustainable!
How much of the electricity used in the UK does Drax produce?
Drax produces 6% of the UK electricity demand.
The jury is out. However if we spent the subsidy on home insulation we might not need the 6% of electricity produced from Drax.
I conclude in answer to the question – Is Biomass a Sustainable Fuel ? No !
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Climate Change – What we Now Know
This topic “Climate Change – What we Now Know” is all good solid science. Predictions indicating what might happen in the future vary. We are now absolutely certain the 1.5 degree target has already been breached.
Climate change is disrupting stable and ancient weather patterns.
There are some striking things happening in our UK environment. For example Ospreys nationally have had an appalling season, unable to feed young as fishing very difficult and beset by bad weather. Many nests have completely failed.
Bats this year are starving and will suffer a population crash. They are unable to feed due to lack of insects. This is partly bad weather, but significantly river pollution with sewage is a major factor. Insects in general are having a bad time year on year due to habitat destruction, herbicide and pesticide use and poor weather.
Of course we will have good and bad weather years as part of the natural cycle. Climate change is not natural. However, our environment is not resilient any more because we have destroyed so much natural habitat. This is especially the case in the UK. One of the most wildlife depleted countries in the world.
A consequence of this is that our insect life cannot recover. Our bees are in crisis because they are dependent on one queen bee surviving the winter. So the population will vary from year to year. Early spring flowers like dandelions and others need to be left alone. Do not use herbicides, do not mow your grass or at least not all of it. Seed banks in soil can last several years but not forever. We tidy up too much. We cut down dead trees then stupidly use them as firewood. Please let them decay slowly.
For example, our local council in Harrogate now leave uncut areas to let wildflowers grow. An applaudable strategy, but the seeds are not there. So it looks untidy, we can help. Put some seeds back, its easy.
No mow May is commendable, but it should be no mow summer.
So where do we go from here on Climate Change?
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Bottom Trawling Destroys the Seabed and Must End Now
Lets examine the reasons why bottom trawling destroys the seabed and must end. Ill start with this report from New Scientist – Bottom Trawling.
This article jumped out at me last night. I now won’t be eating fish caught by bottom trawling. My overarching concern about trawling is the utter destruction – trawling destroys the seabed, so similar to burning down the rainforest. Now this, no surprise here:
So What are the 3 Reasons why Bottom Trawling Destroys the Seabed and Must End?
First of all – sheer bloody destruction. Bottom trawling destroys the seabed tearing up corals, anenomes, sea grass, kelp and anything growing in its path.
Secondly it stirs up sediment on the sea floor. This releases huge amounts of methane and carbon dioxide. Carbon is sequestered in sediment on the sea bed.
Lastly it doesn’t just kill the fish we take to eat. It also kills crustaceans, by catch, immature fish and molluscs. This is why the gulls follow trawlers.
and whilst on the subject of boats I won’t ever be on a cruise either
And then today, 3rd June 2024 we learn that Scampi isn’t what we think it is and it certainly isn’t fished in a sustainable manner https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9wwrzv2ryjo
3 Unquestionable Reasons Why Trawling is Bad – see this article on trawling and the EU
NEWSFLASH 24/09/24 – Protected areas in Scotland still at risk
If you want to know more about Earth and Leaf click here
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Ghost Bats
Ghost Bats are under serious threat. This highlights a huge issue that the human race has in the fight against climate change. Entitlement. We must change our attitudes on land ownership. We must challenge the big five world agribusinesses.
Five large multinationals dominate the agricultural value chain: Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Bunge, Cargill, China Oil and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) and Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC).
The article below tells you all you need to know about how self interested land owners think they an do what they like with the land.
Not Another Ghost – Surely This Has To Stop . . .
When are the human race going to stop and think about their actions?
Ghost Bats at roost
We need to reach a point where removal of any trees any where on our precious world is treated as a crime against humanity, a war crime. It is that serious. This habitat cannot be replaced or moved or offset with some carbon credits.
The proposal is to clear 6000 Hectares of forest in the Northern Territory. Australia’s environment minister is Tanya Plibersek. She is doing nothing to prevent this.
How do we save Ghost Bats?
Education. The Australian government must stop landowners behaving like this. Join us at Earth and Leaf. We will contact both the landowner and the Australian government.
FROM OLD FRONT PAGE
These are rare Australian Ghost Bats. Their habitat is being destroyed to create farmland to graze cattle. As you explore Earth and Leaf you will realise quickly that we must graze far fewer cattle and stop eating red meat.
Sixty percent of the weight of mammals on earth are farm animals grown as food for us. Seventy percent of the birds on our world are on farms grown for food for us. Sixty per cent of farm land on earth is used to grow feed for farmed animals and birds to feed us.
In conclusion, we must free up much of that precious land. Global warming is the single most serious issue affecting our world. If we are to survive, we must reverse global warming. Join us to find out what you and your community can do !
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Dont buy an SUV – They do the Most Damage
If I am told “Dont buy an SUV” what should my reply be? The answer is that it is good to ask the question.
We don’t believe that anyone is “entitled” to do this. SUVs are a major contributor to global warming. SUVs around the world contribute more to global CO2 emissions than Japan.
https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/suvs-drive-20-of-emissions-growth-6036196
Dont buy an SUV
Electric vehicles still generate CO2 in large quantities – dont be fooled. They are not the answer.
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Two Rivers and a Water Authority
The Severn and the Trent make up the two rivers and a water authority.
No other country in the world has a fully privatised water supply and waste water system. Not one. As a matter of fact even this statement is not entirely true. It is just England and Wales. In Scotland and Northern Ireland it is still in public ownership.
The news a few days ago that Severn Trent is to pay out £300 million in dividends is a shock – read here. This on top of making £200 million profit. This money must be reinvested in the infrastructure.
Two Rivers and a Water Authority – A Personal Tale from the Riverbank
Many years ago I worked on a big dairy farm near the Trent, one of the Two Rivers. Franny, our tractor driver and I worked overtime to try and empty the slurry store one year. It was never ending. One Sunday morning we turned up for work early to be greeted by one of the two brothers who owned the farm. There had been torrential rain overnight. The store was empty. It was all in the Trent.
I’m here to help support farmers, but sometimes and it is far too often, they do not help themselves.
Away from the Two Rivers, In a different part of the country great work is being done by Matt Staniek on Windermere
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Crofting is Sustainable Farming
This post explains why Crofting is Sustainable Farming, particularly on farming with beef and sheep. Why?
Firstly it is important to state that crofting is a developed traditional farming system that makes best use of it’s local environment for farming. The fact it is relatively not harmful for wildlife is coincidental and crucial. The only fertiliser used traditionally is seaweed. That’s fine within reason.
It is also coincidental because support of crofting is national policy in Scotland.
How is it that Crofting is sustainable farming?
There is a great Blog from the Soil Association about new Crofter, Helen O’Keefe 
Sustainable Farming can be Achieved in Wales -
A Farmers Perspective, Where do we Go from Here
From a farmers perspective times are hard. Not least, the weather has been awful for the last year.
However that is not the only issue. We live in changing times where the guaranteed subsidies available under the European Union are being removed. Alternative programs are being put in place such as the ……………………………. and the Welsh ……………………………
This is why we are developing the Shepherds of the Trees project.
A Farmers Perspective
Times are changing. The weather is more challenging. Our relationship with the EU has changed. Meat consumption is falling. Certain industries, namely sheep, beef and dairy are highly inefficient uses of land and energy.
Is it really that hard to find an external link for farming
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Planting trees is not enough
Why is it that simply planting trees is not enough. Firstly, a farmer is the right person to be planting trees on a farm. Secondly, the right person to look after those newly planted trees is, wait for it, the farmer.
Frequently we see ranks of trees planted on farms in narrow bands and straight lines, the same distance apart and all the same age. They are always too close together. Additionally there are just trees, no shrubs like Gorse, Broom, Blackthorn, Brambles and Dog Rose to name just a few. Finally there are no open spaces.
I wander through fields that often contain a lonely Oak or Sycamore. The urge takes me to plant companions for them. I would surround each with thickets of Blackthorn and Crab Apple and plant Oak or Sycamore saplings with them.Planting trees is not enough
Sometimes you see these isolated trees with remnant bluebells or Dogs Mercury lingering around their roots. These trees need help, fencing out and more cover needs planting. Specifically any areas in grass fields with ancient woodland indicators should be replanted urgently. Use shrubs a lot more than trees. They must be native. Planting trees is not enough.
A lone Wild Garlic plant on the bank of the River Noe in Derbyshire If you have any areas with indicator species you must plant next to them. Planting trees is not the end. Care for them too! Mix meadows with scrub and trees and introduce farm animals at low level stocking.
Wildflower meadows fit into this network. Preferably they are cut for hay in late July or later. Low level sheep and cattle grazing follows until late April. And guess who should look after this wonder world. The farmer.
Not enough thought goes into what is planted and where. Lets explore the topic!
So Why is it that Just Planting Trees is not Enough ?
Just planting trees is not enough. There is more to it. A forest is a complex mix of plants of different ages, fungi, insects, invertebrates, birds and animals. Complex habitats like this store vast amounts of carbon. Planting trees is not enough. We now know that the trees and plants live in complex harmony with underground communication through fungi. When a forest is cleared most of these fungi die. Clearing a forest releases vast amounts of Carbon Dioxide, heating our planet. Burning the wood makes things even worse. Have a look at another post about our very own Drax power Station just here.
Deciding where to plant/re wild is an important first step. Indicator species are one starting place, they may be in hedgerows ironically often at roadsides, hiding in plain sight. Old existing trees are focal points. They need companions. Do not simply plant in blocks, in straight lines. Leave open areas, marshy areas, consider blocking field drains and damming ditches.
Forests need open rides, clearings, dead wood, ponds, large animal herbivores, animals that dig. Animals that die there should be left. See “Why culled deer carcasses in Scotland should be left to rot, according to experts” in our document library.
Ancient Woodland Indicators
Dogs Mercury, Wild Garlic, Blue Bells, Dog Violet, Wood Anemone, Pink Campion, Lily of the Valley, Greater Stitchwort, Wood Sorrel, Golden Saxifrage, Yellow Archangel. Here are some pictures:
What are others saying about planting trees?
“Instead of focusing on planting huge numbers of trees, experts tell Vox, we should focus on growing trees for the long haul, protecting and restoring ecosystems beyond just forests, and empowering the local communities that are best positioned to care for them.”
This is the aim of our proposed “Shepherds of the Trees” project. Have a look at our proposals right here!
The Woodland Trust can help. Visit them here
We must do more, simply planting trees is not enough.
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Why we Farm Cows and not Goats
The reason why we farm cows and not goats for dairy products is quite simple. Cows are easy to control and can live on just grass, they are grazers. Goats are browsers and are very difficult to fence in.
However that does not mean that it should stay that way.
Modern dairy cows live an average of just under three lactations, about 6 years. Yet these animals can easily have a stress free lifespan of 12 to 15 or more years.
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Inspiring People and Awesome Organisations
These inspiring people and awesome organisations have encouraged us to form the Earth and Leaf Community Interest Company and do something positive in the environment and farming sector.
Number One
The inspiring Sally Phillips from Buy Land Plant Trees
There is an article in our document library highlighting her work. Sally Phillips bought Low Fell in the Lake District three years ago through her company Buy Land Plant Trees. Read on here … about the first of our inspiring people and awesome organisations.
Number Two
Wicton Farm are doing dairy differently, its refreshing
Number Three
Matt Staniek.
The article in our document library highlights Sally’s work.
Number Four
Dave Blackledge, the Hero of Hodbarrow
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La Nina Returns – Is it Going to Save the World?
La Nina returns. El Nino is over. If correct then this is fantastic news for the planet and for the Amazon rainforest. IF it cools the oceans as it usually does …
There are two unusual, but significant climate patterns in the Pacific Ocean, El Nino and La Nina. Normally trade winds blow west along the equator, taking warm water from South America towards Asia. To replace that warm water, cold water rises from the depths, upwelling.
El Nino exacerbates global warming. La Nina cools the planet. How?
During La Nina the trade winds blow more strongly, causing more upwelling. Quite simply this cools the Pacific Ocean and therefore the globe.
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ninonina.html
Of course, this merely buys us time.
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Why is it raining so much ?
Why is it raining so much ? It’s very simple. Global warming! Warmer air holds more water vapour. As a result there is more water up there and eventually it has to leave the atmosphere! So it ends up down here. Also where has the snow gone. We don’t have hard winters any more. Rising temperatures are to blame.
Its also typical to complain about the weather. It does have to rain otherwise we wouldn’t be here.
Why is it raining so much?
South East Wales today 25/11/24
South Wales has experienced some of the worst impacts – Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan says the floods are “absolutely devastating”
But it gets more complicated than that …..
Why is it raining so much or why isn’t it raining so much?
In some places it isn’t raining enough, like The Pantanal. There are devastating droughts in South Africa. It will get worse too as we continue to heat our world. Farming is hit hard, this will affect yields next year. Our actions also affect the jet stream and the AMOC (The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation). These affect the monsoon in the Amazon and Africa.
Rain also affects our soils, damaging soil structure, washing precious soil away and damaging crops. Read our post – Soil.
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Sheep Farming in Wales, Its Time for a Change
Lets Revolutionise Sheep Farming in Wales and continue to shape the character of the nations environment. A lot of upland Wales is unsuitable for any other type of farming. I have spent quite a bit of time in Wales over the years, working in the farming sector. I always found our Welsh farmer customers open to new ideas and far more interested in marketing and new tech than others in the UK.
So here we are. Farmer protests at the Senedd. Earth and Leaf wants to work with farmers. The Sustainable Farming Scheme is a great move towards restoring habitat across Wales. This is a great article by Dr Malcolm Smith. He makes some excellent points about subtle changes that would help farmers. The scheme also needs explaining better to farmers.
Lets Revolutionise Sheep Farming in Wales and Benefit its Rural Communities too
This mirrors the same structure found in England and Scotland. Hill ewes such as the Welsh Mountain are kept on high ground. Draft ewes are sold at market to farms lower down the hill to be crossed with Blue Faced Leicesters and other breeds to produce mules. These are again moved further down the hill to be crossed with terminal sires to produce fat lambs.
https://meatpromotion.wales/en
Time for Change
We need to look at this traditional structure of the industry. The hill and draft ewe system is no longer necessary except to maintain communities. So, we must use just transition to help maintain a thriving countryside. This is what we should do !
