Why eco-farming management and agricultural production go hand-in-hand

Some farmers may think ‘environmentalism’ is just a marketing ploy or a carbon credit buzzword, but conservation is crucial for sustaining productive agriculture. Healthy fertile soil, enough clean water, predictable weather and healthy ecosystems are vital to ensure high yields and healthy crops and livestock to feed the world.

Unfortunately, some conventional agricultural production practices damage our land’s health over time.

• Degraded soils steadily lose productivity and the ability to absorb and retain moisture, causing erosion and runoff.
• Overused aquifers and poorly planned irrigation mean less water for irrigation.
• Pollinators and beneficial insects decline which can influence yield and pesticide use
• Using pesticides can lead to pest resistance, water pollution and damage to beneficial insects.

In short – diminishing land quality leads to lower yields and higher input costs (e.g. for fertiliser).

Many eco-friendly farming techniques work hand-in-hand with nature’s systems. You may already be doing some of this:

Crop rotations and cover crops

Crop rotations help naturally replenish different nutrients based on each crop’s needs, allowing you to reduce the use of fertilisers. Certain cover crops attract beneficial insects and pollinators while companion crops could help to ward off certain pests and enhance each other’s growth.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

IPM prevents pest explosions through careful scouting, biological control methods like beneficial insects, and only using pesticides when economically damaging limits are exceeded. It’s an environmentally friendly farming technique that could drastically reduce chemical bills.

Rotational grazing

Dividing up pastures and frequently rotating livestock herds between paddocks has huge advantages. It prevents overgrazing, gives forage time to regenerate, and helps spread ‘natural fertiliser’ more evenly.

No-till or low-till

Going no-till or low-till avoids disrupting soil structure. Leaving crop residues on the surface acts as a mulch. This protective mat suppresses weed growth, reduces erosion and water loss, adds organic matter and feeds nutrients back into the earth. Over time, soil regains that prime, crumbly texture.

Advantages of eco-friendly farming managment techniques

Sustainability on farms has serious production and profit advantages. The benefits of conservation farming techniques include:

• Higher profits: Improving soil health while integrating crops and livestock can boost yields and reduce input costs for fertilisers, pesticides, and irrigation.
• Environmental stewardship: Rebuild fertile soils, conserve water resources, create wildlife habitats, and prevent chemical runoff that pollutes water. These environmentally friendly farming practices ensure cleaner air, water and landscapes.
• Climate resilience: Soils rich in organic matter with improved moisture-holding capacity are more resilient to handle the impacts of drought, floods, heat waves and other weather extremes.

As consumer demand for eco-friendly food grows, adopting sustainable agricultural production practices allows entry into that market. More importantly, it positions your farm to produce quality yields profitably while improving the soil and environment.