1. Don't disturb the soil
2. Keep the soil surface covered
3. Keep living roots in the soil
4. Grow a diverse range of crops
5. Bring grazing animals back to the land

Many farmers will relate to the above principles and are more than likely to be practicing at least one of them already.

The main aim of regenerative agriculture is to give more back to the soil than is taken from it in order to produce food.

The production of food is reliant on healthy soils. A healthy soil can be defined as one with good structure, rich in biodiversity and with a good balance of mycorrhizal fungi and nutrients. Over time with repeated cropping soil structure can become damaged and fungi and nutrients depleted. Also with repeated cultivation and by leaving soils bare over the winter erosion can occur.

Regenerative agriculture seeks to prevent and address these problems by disturbing soil as little as possible, planting cover crops to reduce soil surface exposure, growing diverse crop mixtures that help retain soil structure and feed the fungi, and by grazing livestock across the farm. 

Livestock are an important element of regenerative agriculture and allow fields to remain productive even when put down to fertility building leys. The manure introduced by livestock also helps to replenish lost nutrients.

How can savills help

• Regenerative farm management
• Regenerative conversion plans
• Sourcing regenerative contractors 
• Strategic consultancy