Benefits of Sustainable Farming Practices: A Smarter Future

Biodiversity Net Gain came into force in 2024 as a legal requirement under the Environment Act 2021. It mandates that all new developments in England must deliver at least a 10% improvement in biodiversity. This offers a unique opportunity for landowners and farmers: they can be paid to create or enhance habitats on their land to meet this legal requirement for developers who aren’t able to complete the obligation on their development sites.

BNG gives farmers a practical way to diversify their income, make better use of marginal land, and contribute to national conservation goals. Importantly, it’s a strategy that complements sustainable farming practices, improves soil health, and promotes using natural resources responsibly.

Soil is the foundation of any farm. Promoting soil health and conservation not only improves crop quality but reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves water retention, and supports biodiversity. Practices such as cover cropping and reduced tillage are proven to enhance the structure and fertility of our soil, helping farmers weather unpredictable conditions and reduce the risk of crop failure.

Farmers who are transitioning to sustainable systems often start by adopting practices such as frequent crop rotation and organic amendments. These methods not only improve yields long-term but also contribute directly to the kinds of ecosystem enhancements that BNG encourages.

The UK government currently offers a range of incentives to support adopting sustainable agriculture practices. Through Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMs), farmers can receive payments for actions that restore nature, improve biodiversity, and manage land in ways that sequester carbon or reduce pollution.

Under ELMs, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is particularly accessible, paying farmers to plant ground cover crops, improve hedgerows, and invest into nutrient management. These practices not only reduce environmental impact but also improve the resilience of the UK’s farming systems to produce food.

Crucially, these schemes can stack with income from BNG agreements. This means farmers can be compensated both for sustainable land management and for providing habitat for developers seeking biodiversity offsets.

One of the greatest benefits of sustainable agriculture is the ability to build long-term resilience and environmental legacies for the Uk’s farmland. Sustainable farms are much less reliant on synthetic inputs, more adaptable to climate stress, and better equipped to support future generations to meet their needs.

Incorporating renewable energy systems, such as solar panels or anaerobic digesters, is another way farms can increase their sustainability footprint whilst lowering operational costs. These technologies use natural resources wisely and align with the broader transition to a greener rural economy.

Implementing new ecological systems to see the benefits of sustainable farming practices will look different for every farm looking to begin this journey. Each farm must find the practices that suit its landscape, operations, and business goals. For Collington Winter, this is where BNG stands out – it is flexible, scalable, and designed to integrate with existing land use. What’s more, as it is committable for a minimum of 30 years, landowners can see the benefits span far into the future.

Ultimately, sustainable farming practices are about safeguarding the land – not just for the landowners of today, but for future generations looking to invest in agriculture. They ensure that we can produce food while preserving the ability of future generations to do the same. By embracing initiatives like Biodiversity Net Gain, UK farmers can lead change and create a countryside that thrives.

At Collington Winter, we are dedicated to helping the farmers unlock new income opportunities through environmental land management, including support with Biodiversity Net Gain, sustainable farming practices, and adapting to post-Brexit agricultural schemes.

Whether you’re already established or just starting to explore these options, we’re here to guide you. Our team has hands-on experience working with farms and land of all sizes, offering tailored strategies to enhance productivity, profitability, and environmental impact – so you can move forward with confidence.

Let’s build a sustainable future for British farming together. Call us on 01204939604, email info@collingtonwinter.co.uk, or get in touch through our contact form below to speak with a member of our team.