‘Collective action’ needed for UK grown pulses to replace soya
Quantifying the benefits of pulses for the arable grower is a major outcome of the NCS Project, which will be shared at the From Soya to Sustainability conference on January 22nd.
Now in its second year, the multi-partner project led by PGRO has recruited 18 ‘Pulse Pioneer’ farmers. They are each collecting data on pulse crops and subsequent cereal crops, to quantify the benefits to an arable unit’s carbon footprint, nitrogen use efficiency and bottom line.
The arable session at From Soya to Sustainability in Peterborough on 22nd January will outline the findings and observations so far, as well as researchers’ analysis of those results.
Tom Allen-Stevens is Founder of the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) which coordinates the project’s farmer trials. He says: “Our Pulse Pioneers are beginning to deliver a really good picture of the contribution of home-grown pulses across arable rotations. For our trial farmers that will lead to huge savings in terms of their nutrition programme, and in particular, to nitrogen use efficiency.”
Tom runs a 170ha arable farm in Oxfordshire and launched BOFIN in September 2020 in recognition of the need for an organisation to represent and support the growing community of farmers wanting to be involved in leading innovations.
“The Pulse Pioneers are carbon footprinting their farms every year, so we will see the difference pulses are making to their carbon emissions. The project also explores the challenges of growing these crops and by pooling our experience and knowledge we are proving that great things happen when we work together. It’s vital now that we share those findings with other growers and the wider industry.”
With the increasing pressure for agriculture to improve its environmental credentials the conference couldn’t come at a more pertinent time, he continues.
“By increasing UK production of pulses and reducing dependency on imported soya and soyabean meal, we can reduce our carbon emissions, while realising a raft of other benefits for livestock and arable farmers.
“But success will require joint effort across the supply chain. I’m looking forward to the conference and the opportunity to discuss how we can take collective action.”
From Soya to Sustainability will be held at KingsGate Conference Centre, Peterborough on Wednesday 22nd January. For more info and to book your ticket visit www.tinyurl.com/FSTSConference