Guidance on sustainability

NFU Cymru recently held an event which looked at the opportunities to reduce energy and input costs and simultaneously lower greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy efficiency, installing renewables, and using nutrients more efficiently.

The Driving Cost and Carbon Out of Your Business event was held on May 4 at the New Members Centre on the Royal Welsh Showground and was chaired by NFU Cymru President Aled Jones.

At the event, members heard from NFU energy technical director Jon Swain and Bruno Gardner, managing director at NFU Enzero who provided farmers with practical guidance on improving resilience and sustainability in the face of present and future challenges.

NFU chief combinable crops adviser Anthony Hopkins explored the current challenges posed by high gas prices and how this is impacting on fertiliser and crop nutrients.

NFU Cymru member Llyr Jones gave examples of his on-the-ground experiences and John Owen, Gelli Aur Agriculture Research Centre’s SMART project manager provided members with advice on making the best use of farm slurry.

As a union, we understand that farmers and growers hold the power to make a massive contribution to combat climate warming. NFU Cymru and the NFU have set the ambitious goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) across the whole of agriculture in Wales and England by 2040. There is no single answer to this problem. To achieve our aim, we will need a range of measures that fall under three broad headings: Improving farming’s productive efficiency; Improving land management and enhancing land use to capture more carbon; Boosting renewable energy and the wider bioeconomy.

Farmers and growers are already working towards net zero agriculture across Wales and Britain, taking actions such as investing in new technologies, reducing energy consumption from fossil fuels, increasing soil health, planting and managing trees, woodland and hedgerows.

The event was a great opportunity to discuss in detail what energy and efficiency measures can be implemented on members’ farms to continue driving their businesses forward.

For those members who weren’t able to attend the event you can visit the NFU Cymru website to watch the recording of what was discussed.