A WIDE RANGE OF APPROACHES
Wageningen University in the Netherlands provides an analysis of how the term is used in existing documentation. Starting from a rather technical, soil-focused common core, it is incorporating a growing number of aims to meet more and more ambitious definitions.
Soil Health and Soil Biodiversity
Climate, Biodiversity in General, Water Quality and Availability
Optimised Use of Resources, Nutrient Recycling
Farm Income and Attractive Working Conditions
Source: Regenerative Agriculture in Europe, Mark Manshanden, Universität Wageningen, April 2023
+ 78 %
A study by the University of Minnesota compared the results of 20 American farms using conventional or regenerative systems. In the latter, yield was, on average, 29% lower, and profitability was 78% higher. The factors contributing to the better margin included input reductions and better market opportunities.
Source: Regenerative agriculture: Merging farming and natural resource conservation profitably, Claire LaCanne, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Februar 2018
5-7 Jahre
The transition to regenerative agriculture takes between 5 and 7 years, including two or three years in the learning stage.
Source: Michel Duru, Inrae
40 x
Bayer has set itself the goal of supporting the development of regen Ag on 160 million hectares by 2035 (an area 40 times the size of Switzerland).
Source: www.bayer.com
EXAMPLE OF WORKING STEPS FOR WHEAT ACROSS ONE GROWING SEASON
Conventional system VS regenerative system (Ireland; advanced stage of adoption: > 6 years).
Regenerative
Mulching
Compost application
Direct Drilling
–
–
–
–
–
Crop protection
Fertilizer
–
Crop protection
Harvest
Cover crop seeding
Tillage
–
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
March
Apr.
Mai
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Conventional
Soil preperation
Sowing
Crop protection
–
–
–
Fertilizer
Crop protection
Fertilizer
Crop protection
Fertilizer
Crop protection
Crop protection
Harvest
Stubble ploughing
Tillage
Source: „Der Weg zu regenerativer Landwirtschaft in Deutschland“, BGC, Nabu, März 2023
IN PRACTICE, FIVE PRINCIPLES ARE OFTEN PRIORITISED…
Minimise Soil Disturbance
Avoid physical and chemical disruption
Maximise Crop Diversity
In time and space, with the aim of increasing the resilience of the system
Maintain Living Roots
Provide the soil with nutrients all year round
Integrate Livestock
Imitate natural systems that function in symbiosis with animals
Keep the Soil Covered
Fight erosion, evaporation and weeds
Source: Universität Wageningen; Gabe Brown
… AND A WHOLE RANGE OF TOOLS AND RULES
Agroforestry
Animal Welfare Standards
Organic Farming
Fair Trading Standards
Perennial Crop
Compost, Manure, Biochar
Mulching
Source: Raphaël Dachelet, « Agriculture régénératrice, émergence d’un concept », Université catholique de Louvain, 2020