In the years ahead, we will likely see an increase of discussion dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable production. Our approach to agriculture and farming will no doubt play a huge role in such discourse.
It’s often said that regenerative agriculture is important, due to its healing effect on the soil and the environment. However, another argument can be made for this method of farming: its profitability.
Corn Systems
Corn is the best crop to consider in terms of its effect on the market and farmers in general. This is because corn alone is responsible for 30% of the country’s agriculture. Any changes to how it is produced are likely to have massive and noticeable effects.
Using a regenerative approach to agriculture was tried across twenty experimental farms, with the goal to measure its affect on yield, pests and overall productivity. As was expected, yields decreased. However, although yields are used as the most common metric, they don’t tell the whole story.
Farms implementing this system have been more profitable in the long-term than those who use traditional corn systems: producing as much as 78% more than other comparable farms. This is because the overall input needed to sell crops is much less demanding than it is for traditional farms, due to less money spent on pesticides and herbicides.
Input Costs
Farmers have a lot to consider in terms of input costs, as they take a huge bite out of their overall income. Regenerative farms have the added bonus of being less costly and better for the environment. h
For the farmers who use traditional methods, a large portion of funds goes toward the inputs needed to run the farm. This is compared to the mere 12% used by farms that utilize regenerative methods.
This is most noticeable in the costs of fertilizer. The older the soil, the more fertilizer it will need. The cost of fertilizer therefore becomes a growing input cost for farms with traditional methods, while regenerative farms tend to save big in this area. Pest control is less costly in sustainable agriculture as well, since increasing the soil’s organic matter also decreases the amount of harmful pests you must deal with.
Income Streams
It’s essential for a farmer to have more than one stream of income at all times. This is the best way to hedge your bets in the event that something goes wrong. For example, grains acquired through sustainable planting methods can be sold as seeds, providing a new income source.
Identify the Possibilities
It’s important that you approach this transition with with the bigger picture in mind. Different farms will have different advantages in regards to regenerative agriculture, so you must enact a careful, calculated plan that is tailored to your specific farm.
It is also useful to factor in how familiar you are with the process, as it can take some time and effort to master the regenerative agriculture techniques. Those who have experience with no-till farming and natural herbicides will likely learn much faster and with less expenses overall.
Conclusion
Regenerative agriculture is a great alternative to traditional farming methods. It’s often talked up as a better solution for the environment, restoring soil and cutting costs for things such as herbicides and pesticides. While it produces less yield overall, regenerative methods create additional income streams that result in higher profits overall.