Category: News

Changemakers Music Festival: Watch the ‘Treveth Kes Zero’ Community Event

Posted on November 10, 2025 by - Farm Net Zero, News

Gareth Churcher, conducting the Camborne Town Band at the 'Treveth Kes Zero' Community Event

Last month, a community music festival at Deerpark Farm took place to celebrate the work of monitor and demonstration farms that are part of the Farm Net Zero project in Cornwall. Bringing the wider community together, this was an event to highlight the vital connection between community, the arts, and the future of sustainable agriculture in Cornwall.

Over the summer, Gareth Churcher, Director of the Cornwall Music Services Trust (CMST), met with three farming families who are part of Farm Net Zero, in the Stoke Climsland Parish, to discuss the challenges facing agriculture and farming families, and the innovations these businesses are making to increase sustainability.

‘Treveth Kes Zero’: A Musical Tribute

The event featured the commissioned musical composition, ‘Treveth Kes Zero’ (the Cornish translation of Farm Net Zero). The piece is described by composer Gareth Churcher as:

“A Celebration of Harvest and tribute to Cornish Farming. Composed for brass, percussion and voice, the music aims to be accessible for all participants and carefully fuses some traditional harvest songs with modern original material in a way that reflects some of the approaches that are taken by the farms involved with the Farm Net Zero project.”

The lyrics were created by children of Calstock and Stoke Climsland primary schools. The children explored sustainable farming through the lens of music and art during multiple workshops led by Kari Prince of CMST, who also further supported the event by reading poetry written by the children about farming. 

This music was skilfully performed by Camborne Town Band with accompaniment by the children from the primary schools and other singers. It was a moving piece, performed by a talented group and supported by some wonderful singers. The music was further enhanced by the farmers who stood up and explained how they have been adapting their practices to reduce emissions, sequester more carbon, besides other work such as work to reduce flooding risk in the village. 

The music starts by establishing its core material, balancing tension and relief with passages that are dissonant, bi-tonal, and others that are more pleasing. This gives way to an old Cornish harvest tune with lyrics developed by Hilary Coleman.

The music concludes with a setting of “We Plough The Fields and Scatter,” using new harmonisation and brass flourishes to emulate the fusion of old and new farming practices seen across the FNZ project. 

Special thanks are extended to the Howlett family for hosting the event, and to Bonny, Tim and Jake Lightfoot, Martin Howlett, Pete and Sheila Cox, Gareth Churcher, Kari Prince, Gary Flower, the support vocalists, and the children of Calstock and Stoke Climsland.

Farm Net Zero

Farm Net Zero is a five-year initiative focused on helping Cornish farms work towards zero carbon emissions. The initiative involves practical work, research, and data collection to demonstrate how agriculture can contribute significantly to climate action.

The FNZ team is currently compiling results from the latest footprints and soil sampling in preparation for a Final Conference on Thursday, November 20th, where they will celebrate achievements and look forward to the future.

Alongside the farming community, organisations contributing to deliver of the project include the Duchy College Rural Business School, the Farm Carbon Toolkit, Westcountry Rivers Trust, Innovative Farmers, Innovation for Agriculture and Just Farmers. The project is managed by Cornwall College and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund from January 2021 for five years.

Farm Net Zero – August Update

Posted on August 22, 2025 by - Farm Net Zero, News

Farm Net Zero is a major project from the farming community in Cornwall to show the contribution that agriculture can make to achieving net zero. Here’s content from the latest newsletter, sent the farmers, growers and the wider community this project supports.

Groundswell

It was lovely to see some of the FNZ farmers and project staff enjoying Groundswell this year. Well done to those who spoke at various sessions throughout the conference. We were also pleased to provide tickets for a group of new agriculture graduates from Duchy College to attend.

Duchy College graduates at Groundswell

Maize Field Lab featured at Groundswell

The FNZ Maize Field Lab was featured at Groundswell in the “Beneath the Surface” session to an audience of roughly 80 people. FNZ farmer Malcolm Barrett talked about his farm trials, looking at different maize establishment practices (comparing light discing with direct drilling against strip tilling).

He explained that his overall aim to move away from ploughing is to produce a good crop with fewer inputs, and explained how they’d already reduced their fertiliser use by 65% as a result. His motivation for taking part in the field lab: “We wanted reassurance that what we’re doing is working for the farm and for the soil”.

Professor Will Blake of the University of Plymouth (the field lab researchers) explained how useful the trial has been for informing their research into soil: “It’s been fantastic for us to collaborate as it’s enhanced our understanding of how these sensors work”. The final report for the trial will be available soon on the Innovative Farmers and FNZ website.

Monitor Farm Update

We are getting stuck into the final set of FNZ soil sampling and carbon footprinting. It is very exciting to see the changes on farms since the start of the project back in 2021, both above and below ground. It has also been heartening to hear how many of the project farmers are keen to carry on with the project in some form.

Please make sure you have arranged a visit with your FNZ contact and can provide the carbon footprint data during August.

Events

It has been an action-packed time for events over the last couple of months, with some excellent, well-attended events on a range of topics:

Royal Cornwall Show
5-7th June 2025

We were pleased to be at the Royal Cornwall Show again this year, sharing a stand with the Agri Carbon Kernow project at the Cornwall Council’s Farming, Food & Nature Hub.

It was a great opportunity for us to meet with farmers, other organisations and the public, to share our knowledge and experiences gathered through the course of the project. A big thank you to everyone who supported on the stand. It was great to see so many monitor farmers drop in to the Hub and well done to those who spoke on the panel sessions.

Treway Herbal Ley Revisit
12th June 2025

We returned to Treway Farm, courtesy of FNZ monitor farmers Will and Kate Martin, to visit the Farming in Protected Landscapes “Herbal Ley Enhancement Network” trial plots as they become more established. It was interesting to see that the best establishment was in plots where either there was greater soil disturbance or the existing sward was sprayed out.

Full trial results

Trees for Forage
9th July 2025

A fascinating meeting at Arbor Farm, St Columb on the benefits of trees on farms. The hot weather made it abundantly clear that trees will provide valuable shade and shelter for livestock, maintaining their health and welfare. Steve Evans of Arbor Farm led a practical discussion on how to integrate trees on the farm, with lots of useful tips on successful establishment, including the importance of hedge laying.

Find out more

Pensipple Wheat Septoria Trial
16th July 2025

An opportunity to visit FNZ Demo Farmer, Anthony Ellis, at Pensipple Farm, and learn about his ongoing experiments with biological inputs on cereals. We had excellent discussions with microbiologists from the University of Exeter, who provided insight into the function of biological products which Anthony has been using instead of conventional sprays. The purpose of this trial is to reduce inputs and costs whilst maintaining a healthy plant, supported by healthy soil.

We also heard how Anthony is integrating sheep into the system by grazing the wheat crop in late winter to successfully remove diseased leaves and how willow is being used as a sheep feed supplement.

Read more

The Role of Habitats in Farm Carbon Footprinting at Duchy College, Stoke Climsland
18th July 2025

As part of our programme of events for professionals that support farmers, we held a well-attended day for ecologists on the positive contribution that farm habitats can play in improving a farm’s carbon balance.

Alex Bebbington provided an overview of carbon footprinting. Anthony Ellis gave a farmers’ perspective, with data from his farm. While Stefan Marks from FCT used the college farm to demonstrate the sequestration potential of natural capital. RBS director Robin Jackson demonstrated some of the important considerations when planning and implementing the natural capital developments at the college. After lunch, Gemma Eales (Duchy College) and Zoë Smith (WRT) gave an excellent guided tour of the college’s tree planting programme and network of leaky dams.  

Joel Williams at Prideaux Walled Garden
22nd July 2025

We were extremely fortunate to host internationally renowned plant and soil health educator Joel Williams for an evening meeting and dinner at Prideaux Walled Gardens, courtesy of FNZ monitor farmers Martha Prideaux-Brune and Emma Restorick.

Joel gave a fascinating presentation about different soil organic matter fractions, their role in carbon storage and the mechanisms by which carbon is sequestered into the soil. Many thanks to FNZ demo farmer Mike Roberts for inviting and hosting Joel and for making the event happen. We will be producing a factsheet full of information garnered from Joel during the evening.

Citizen Workshop: An Introduction to Ecology and Nature Recovery in the Westcountry
2nd July 2025

As part of the community outreach programme, the Westcountry Rivers Trust hosted a workshop at Woodland Valley Farm near Truro, attended by 23 people keen to learn about ecological processes, nature recovery and farming’s role in restoring biodiversity.

Budding Nature explained the importance of food webs and how gardeners and consumers can help ‘re-nature’ green spaces. Chris Jones then led a tour showing how agro-forestry and mob grazing have boosted grassland diversity, with abundant butterflies, dragonflies and other wildlife thriving alongside the beef herd.

The visit concluded with a walk through the beaver enclosure, where wetlands created by the animals support rich biodiversity and enhance the farm’s water resilience. A successful and inspiring event.

Farm Net Zero In The News

We’ve been making headlines this summer. In June, monitor farmer Roger Halliday featured on the Farmers Weekly front page in an article on hedgerow management and carbon capture. That same month, demo farmer and Carbon Farmer of the Year finalist Anthony Ellis was profiled in the Farmers Guardian’s “Regenerative Special”.

Our work has also reached wider audiences: Innovative Farmers has shared films of FNZ research driven by farmers’ questions, while Andrew Brewer of Ennis Barton is contributing to the Future of Food exhibit at the National Science Museum, with his role fully recognised in shaping the vision for food.

And coming soon, Emma Restorick and Martha Prideaux-Brune will appear on Gardeners’ World to share their work on regenerating a walled garden, composting and soil health. We don’t yet know when it will air, so keep an eye out!

Resources

New resources are always being added to our resources page, with some of the most recent here below:

Field Labs: to read more about the wide range of topics covered by farmer Field Labs, visit the Innovative Farmers Knowledge Hub.

What Next?

We have several events coming up, including:

  • 12th September – Calf Rearing at Trendeal Vean near Truro
  • 9th October – Scadghill Farm, North Cornwall, incl Tow and Fert
  • TBC October – Change Makers Event at Deer Park Farm

And of course, our events this year culminate in our Final Conference in November where we will celebrate the results of five years’ of Farm Net Zero. All welcome!

Carbon Farmer of the Year 2025: Finalists announced

Posted on July 31, 2025 by - News

We’re pleased to announce the three outstanding finalists for this year’s Carbon Farmer of the Year competition, sponsored by HSBC UK Agriculture:

  • Catherine and Malcolm Barrett – Tregooden Farm, Cornwall. Mixed farmers and Duchy of Cornwall tenants, building a resilient system through agroforestry, rotations and community connection.
  • Stuart and Helen Rogers, Longmoor Farm, Dorset. Profitable, pasture-based dairy farming rooted in tree planting, soil health and biodiversity.
  • Richard and Lyn Anthony – R&L Anthony, Bridgend, South Wales. Progressive arable system combining cover crops, precision operations, and passion for soil health (image courtesy of GWCT Wales).
Catherine and Malcolm Barrett – Tregooden Farm, Cornwall
Stuart and Helen Rogers, Longmoor Farm, Dorset.
Richard and Lyn Anthony – R&L Anthony, Bridgend, South Wales (Image courtesy of GWCT Wales).

The final round of judging takes place in August, and we will announce the winner at the Farm Carbon Toolkit’s Annual Field Day on Tuesday, 30th September 2025, this year kindly hosted by The Pink Pig Farm, near Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire.

Sponsored by:

Understanding Insetting and Offsetting: Becky Willson Speaks on BBC Radio 4

Posted on July 9, 2025 by - Insights, News

BBC Radio 4 Farming Today graphic

On 4th July 2025, our very own Becky Willson was interviewed by Charlotte Smith for BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today while attending Groundswell, the UK’s leading regenerative agriculture event. Becky gave a clear and compelling explanation of the evolving landscape of soil carbon markets, cutting through the jargon to help farmers understand what carbon insetting and offsetting really mean for them.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: BBC Farming Today – 4 July 2025

What is a Soil Carbon Credit?

As Becky explained:

“A soil carbon credit is basically a piece of paper that is representative of one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent held in the soil through the farmer implementing a practice that is sequestering carbon.”

This might sound simple—but the reality is more complex. Some schemes involve detailed measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV), often making them expensive and harder to access. Others rely on modelling—particularly in arable systems using no-till and cover cropping—to estimate the amount of carbon sequestered.

Insetting: Staying Within the Supply Chain

The key point with insetting is that the carbon benefit stays within the food supply chain.

“Rather than it going and being used for somebody else’s carbon accounting, the value of that operation that you’re doing is shared with companies further up your supply chain.”

This is especially important for Scope 3 emissions — those indirect emissions that retailers and processors are under pressure to reduce. Insetting gives them a way to demonstrate reductions while supporting farmers to transition to regenerative practices.

Becky highlighted that currently, insetting is more often framed around a regenerative outcome, rather than the direct purchase of soil carbon credits:

“What we’re seeing more, is the narrative around the fact that these goods are being produced in a regenerative framework.”

Offsetting: Selling Carbon Outside the Farm

Offsetting, on the other hand, is where the carbon credit leaves the farm’s “books”:

“The value in terms of what you’re delivering is then taken off your balance sheet and goes on to the balance sheet of the company or the organisation that is buying that from you.”

This is often attractive to companies like airlines looking to meet climate targets — but it comes with risks for farmers. If your carbon is sold externally, you can’t count it in your own net zero claims or supply chain reporting. This is why many experts, including the Climate Change Committee, have cautioned that:

“Agriculture will need all its own offsetting, because agriculture produces a lot of emissions.”

A Word of Caution and a Call to Prepare

The interview didn’t shy away from the current limitations in the market. Charlotte pointed out the lack of farmer engagement, and Becky responded candidly:

“We have seen only a few people go into it, and that’s because schemes that have been available are primarily available for arable farmers… The models often can’t cope with the complexity [of mixed farming systems]…”

But the key message Becky shared was one of preparation:

“Get a baseline. Take some soil samples so that you give yourself the best opportunity to take advantage of these schemes as they develop.”

Want to Learn More?

This isn’t the first time we’ve explored these issues. Check out our other resources on farm carbon markets:

As always, we’ll keep supporting farmers to make sense of these emerging markets, ensuring the practicalities and implications are clearly understood.

If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at info@farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk.

Soil Farmer of the Year 2025 announced at Groundswell

Posted on July 2, 2025 by - News, Soil Farmer of the Year

Soil Farmer of the Year 2025 Winners and Runners up
Soil Farmer of the Year 2025 Winners

Three farmers championing soil health and regenerative practices have been recognised in the 2025 Soil Farmer of the Year competition, with the awards ceremony taking place at this year’s Groundswell event. 

The competition, jointly run by Farm Carbon Toolkit and Innovation for Agriculture, and proudly sponsored by Cotswold Seeds and Hutchinsons, celebrates farmers across the UK who are leading the way in managing soil as a vital, living resource.

First place was awarded to John Joseph, who manages 100 hectares of sandy loam soils at Trecorras Farm in Herefordshire. 

Over the past decade, John has reshaped how soils are understood and managed on his farm. Key management practices now include widespread use of companion crops, a seven year rotation which has incorporated grassland into the arable system, 100% direct drilling and reduced inputs.

John Joseph – Trecorras Farm
Trecorras Farm – Ryegrass for seed in companion cropping
Trecorras Farm – Companion cropping pre Harvest

Competition judge Jade Prince, Soil Specialist at Hutchinsons, praised John’s “clarity of purpose and scalability.”

“Every decision on John’s farm has a clear agronomic and economic rationale,” she said. “What stood out was his ability to link soil management to business viability—showing that good soil makes good business sense.”

Second place went to Jonathan Hodgson, who farms 285 hectares of clay soils at Great Newsome Farm in East Yorkshire. His system centres on strip tillage, companion cropping, cover crops, and integrated livestock, alongside the elimination of seed dressings and insecticides.

“Jonathan’s approach to enterprise stacking was particularly inspiring,” said Ms Prince. “From growing barley for his own distillery to producing dual-purpose flax and grazing sheep on cover crops, he is building diversity and resilience into both soil and business.”

Third place was awarded to Andrew Mahon, who manages 800 hectares of Hanslope clay across Bedfordshire.

Since 2015, Andrew has shifted to a predominantly direct drill system, with shallow discing being used to establish small seeds. He is now focused on addressing localised compaction and increasing biological activity through targeted interventions.

Jonathan Hodgson - Great Newsome Farm
Jonathan Hodgson – Great Newsome Farm
Andrew Mahon - Bromborough Estate
Andrew Mahon – Bromborough Estate

Deborah Crossan, Head of Soils and Natural Resources at Innovation for Agriculture, highlighted Andrew’s work with biological inputs.

“Andrew is pioneering on-farm applications of Johnson-Su compost extract and biological feed at drilling. His attention to soil biology and microbial support is not just progressive, it’s proving highly effective in driving organic matter gains and establishment success.”

Following the awards, each of the three winning farmers will host on-farm events to share their soil management strategies in action. These farm walks will offer valuable insights for fellow farmers looking to build soil resilience and cut input reliance.

“Seeing these systems on the ground is invaluable,” said Ms Crossan. “They demonstrate how different soil types, farming systems and business models can all benefit from a soil-first approach.”

Details on the farm walks will be announced via the Farm Carbon Toolkit and Innovation for Agriculture websites, newsletters and social media channels in the coming weeks.

– ENDS –

Press release issued by: Natasha Smith E: natashas@i4agri.org T: 07544655356 

Farm Carbon Toolkit contact: Tilly Kimble-Wilde E: tilly@farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk 

Notes to editors:

  • Innovation for Agriculture is an independent, charitable organisation working to make UK agriculture more sustainable, profitable and resilient. Through interactive workshops, on-farm demonstrations and practical events, IfA aims to provide UK farmers with solutions of real commercial value
  • Farm Carbon Toolkit is an independent, farmer-led Community Interest Company, supporting farmers to measure, understand and act on their greenhouse gas emissions, while improving their business resilience for the future.
  • For over a decade, Farm Carbon Toolkit has delivered a range of practical projects, tools and services that have inspired real action on the ground. Organisations they work with include farmer groups, Duchy of Cornwall, First Milk, Tesco, Yeo Valley and WWF. The Farm Carbon Calculator is a leading on-farm carbon audit tool, used by over 7,000 farmers in the UK and beyond. To find out more visit www.farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk
  • The competition is being judged by a panel including representatives from IfA and Farm Carbon Toolkit, Cotswold Seeds, Hutchinsons and previous Soil Farmer of the Year winners.

FCT becomes employee-owned: A major step to safeguard its independent, farmer-led mission

Posted on June 30, 2025 by - News

Farm Carbon Toolkit Team Photo 2025

Farm Carbon Toolkit (FCT) is now an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)—a significant move to secure our long-term independence, deepen staff involvement, and strengthen our commitment to farmers, sustainability, and shared leadership.

We remain a Community Interest Company (CIC), driven by the same not-for-profit principles and mission that have guided us from the start: to support farmers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience. All income continues to be reinvested to maximise our impact and support the farming community.

What has changed is who owns the organisation. Ownership of FCT now sits with a Trust, on behalf of all our employees. This means the people delivering our work – from advisory services to carbon calculator development – now have a formal, meaningful stake in shaping the organisation’s future.

A milestone in a farmer-led journey

The Farm Carbon Toolkit was founded at Westmill Farm, Swindon, in 2010 by two farmers who were determined to address the threat of climate change and engage with fellow farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their farms. The organisation has since grown into a widely respected national leader in farmer-driven climate solutions.

Adam Twine, co-founder and sole share owner, has now transferred ownership to a newly created Employee Ownership Trust. This brings FCT into a wider community of organisations including John Lewis Partnership, Riverford, and Aardman animations–that seek to place staff directly at the centre of their governance structure.

Michael Brown, Staff Trustee Director and our Customer Support Officer, says:

“Our staff are a major resource and will be well known to many of you on farms and across the industry. Our new governance structure ensures their voices are heard and reflected in the long-term stewardship of the organisation on a formal basis.” 

“We hope this will build even greater trust with the farming communities we serve. You can rely on us as an independent organisation, grounded in purpose, led with integrity, and driven by the collective commitment of its employees.”

Henry Unwin, Director Trustee and FCT Non-Executive Director, says: 

“This is a significant moment for FCT. Moving to employee ownership not only honours the roots and history of the organisation but also recognises its greatest assets: the people who work here.” 

Our values now and into the future

FCT is guided by five core operational values: 

  • Collaborative: we work with others to amplify our impact
  • Practical: we offer real solutions grounded in farming realities
  • Science-driven: we base everything we do on robust evidence
  • Empathic: we listen and respond to the challenges farmers face
  • Independent: we are not beholden to  corporate or political interests

Notes for Editors

Farm Carbon Toolkit is an independent, farmer-led Community Interest Company, supporting farmers to measure, understand, and act on their greenhouse gas emissions, while improving their business resilience for the future.

For over a decade, Farm Carbon Toolkit has delivered a range of practical projects, tools and services that have inspired real action on the ground. Organisations they work with include Velcourt, Arla,  the Duchy of Cornwall, First Milk, Tesco, and WWF. 

In 2011, we created one of the first tools–the Farm Carbon Calculator–to audit GHG emissions on farm, and we were one of the first to include carbon removals (sequestration) as well as emissions within our audit process.

Today, the Farm Carbon Calculator is a leading on-farm carbon audit tool, with over 9,000 farmer users in the UK and beyond. To find out more visit www.farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk 

Groundswell 2025

Posted on June 26, 2025 by - News, Uncategorized

Groundswell
Groundswell

Looking forward to Groundswell next week!

As well as the award ceremony to announce the 2025 Soil Farmer of the Year winners at 7pm on Wednesday at Speakers Corner, FCT’s Hannah Jones and Becky Willson are involved in two workshops.

Weds 2nd July 1.15pm: Regenerative Stacking, The Study (Hannah Jones)

Thurs 3rd July 11am: Farming for the health of people and climate, Grass Tent (Becky Willson)

And, of course, we’ll have our usual stand E2 in the Pasture Field where we’ll be happy to chat all things soil and farm carbon related!

Fingers crossed the weather holds…

Finalists announced for Soil Farmer of the Year 2025

Posted on June 23, 2025 by - News, Soil Farmer of the Year

Six farmers have been shortlisted for the Soil Farmer of the Year 2025 competition, in recognition of their approach, actions and results in improving the soil health in their farming systems. 

Andrew Mahon, Bromborough Estate, Bedfordshire
John Joseph, Trecorras Farm, Herefordshire
Will Oliver, A H Oliver and Son, Leicestershire
Paul Baker, Wishay Farm, Devon
Robert & Ryan Whittal, Square Farm, Monmouthshire
Jonathan Hodgson, Great Newsome Farm, East Yorkshire

Shortlisted Farmers

Andrew Mahon from Bromborough Estate in Bedfordshire, John Joseph from Trecorras Farm in Herefordshire, Jonathan Hodgson from Great Newsome Farm in East Yorkshire, Paul Baker from Wishay Farm in Devon, Robert Whittal from Square Farm in Monmouthshire, and Will Oliver from A H Oliver and Son in Leicestershire.  

The 2025 competition has attracted entries from a vast range of farms, from arable only to all livestock systems, from just a few acres to over 800 hectares.  

Business Development and Technical Director Becky Willson from Farm Carbon Toolkit, one of the judges for the 2025 competition, shares that the shortlisting process itself has been a challenging exercise. 

“The first step was anonymised, so we were reviewing entry forms and comparing vastly different farms. But what is interesting when looking at it through the lens of soil health, is that the same themes emerge time and time again. 

“We’ve seen entries where the actions being taken to improve the soil are helping farms to save input costs, improve resilience to weather events such as drought and in some cases diversify incomes,” she says. 

Following the final round of judging, which includes a farm visit, the winners will be announced at Groundswell 2025. Attendees at the Groundswell session, which is taking place at 7pm on Wednesday 2nd July at Speakers Corner, will hear directly from all the finalists about their ideas, practices and results relating to soil health in their farming systems.  

There will also be the opportunity to visit each of the top three farms for a farm walk later this year. 

The Soil Farmer of the Year competition is run by Farm Carbon Toolkit and Innovation for Agriculture, and is sponsored by Cotswold Seeds and Hutchinsons. 

“The competition brings farmers together to celebrate and learn from how the winners have implemented practices to improve their soil and farm business resilience.

“For anyone thinking about coming to either the Groundswell session or the farm walks, I would say go for it, it’s an invaluable way to hear honest perspectives and learn from other farmers’ experiences,” Becky Willson concludes.  

Issued by: Natasha Smith E: natashas@i4agri.org T: 07544655356 Farm Carbon Toolkit contact: Tilly Kimble-Wilde E: tilly@farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

  • Innovation for Agriculture is an independent, charitable organisation working to make UK agriculture more sustainable, profitable and resilient. Through interactive workshops, on-farm demonstrations and practical events, IfA aims to provide UK farmers with solutions of real commercial value
  • Farm Carbon Toolkit is an independent, farmer-led Community Interest Company, supporting farmers to measure, understand and act on their greenhouse gas emissions, while improving their business resilience for the future. For over a decade, Farm Carbon Toolkit has delivered a range of practical projects, tools and services that have inspired real action on the ground. Organisations they work with include farmer groups, Duchy of Cornwall, First Milk, Tesco, Yeo Valley and WWF. The Farm Carbon Calculator is a leading on-farm carbon audit tool, used by over 7,000 farmers in the UK and beyond. To find out more visit www.farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk
  • The competition is being judged by a panel including representatives from IfA and Farm Carbon Toolkit, Cotswold Seeds, Hutchinsons and previous Soil Farmer of the Year winners.

Farming, Nature and Resilience: Steve Reed MP Visits Blable Farm

Posted on June 5, 2025 by - Farm Net Zero, News

Steve Reed MP Visits Mike and Sam Roberts at Blable Farm, with FCT Farm Advisor Hannah Jones and James Daniel from Precision Grazing.

Farm Carbon Toolkit (FCT) advisor, Hannah Jones, was delighted to join James Daniel from Precision Grazing and hosts Mike and Sam Roberts at Blable Farm near Wadebridge to welcome Rt Hon Steve Reed MP to the farm today.

The Minister was keen to learn more about innovations that can take place across the agricultural community that can simultaneously improve farm economics, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon in the soil, boost biodiversity, and strengthen business resilience for today’s farmers and future generations. Emphasis was placed on the need to provide transition support for farmers through discussion groups and community networks, such as Lottery-funded Farm Net Zero project.

We discussed the vital role of well-managed integrated ruminant livestock, particularly in pasture-based systems, in building soil health with diverse cropping, alongside practices like minimum tillage, herbal leys, compost application, and grazing strategies such as paddock grazing. 

We also explored the urgent need for UK agriculture and horticulture to adapt to the growing impacts of climate change, alongside rising concerns around long-term food security in the face of environmental and geopolitical instability. We emphasised the importance of reliable public funding to support a fair and economically viable transition to planet-friendly farming, particularly in a market that too often fails to pay farmers a fair price.

The Minister was clearly engaged, asking thoughtful and challenging questions throughout. We’re grateful for the opportunity to speak openly with him and his team.

Farm Net Zero Logo

Using the Farm Carbon Calculator on Britain’s Most Remote Inhabited Island

Posted on June 3, 2025 by - Case Studies, Insights, News

Texel cross Shetland ewe with twin Suffolk lambs on Fair Isle (photo credit: Daniel Stout)

Perched between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle is Britain’s most remote inhabited island. A rugged, windswept strip of land where the Atlantic meets the North Sea, it stretches just three miles long and a mile and a half wide. This isolated outcrop is home to a small community of crofters who farm against a backdrop of salt-laced gales and long, stormy winters.

Fair Isle is where Daniel Stout grew up, on his family’s croft. The island’s 768 hectares are divided between communal hill ground to the north and seventeen working crofts to the south. Each croft holds an equal share in the island’s common grazing flock of 340 ewes, which graze across 430 hectares of hill land. Sheep are the lifeblood of the island with no cattle currently being run. All flocks are April lambing with lambs sold at September sales in Shetland’s capital Lerwick. Homegrown silage is also produced to keep croft flocks going through the winter months.

From Crofter to Livestock and Carbon Consultant

The rugged, practical farming environment of Fair Isle along with working for Innovis and SAC Consulting, has laid the foundation for Daniel’s future work. Since founding Stout Livestock Consulting Ltd in 2024, he has helped livestock farmers across Scotland better understand and reduce their carbon emissions.

“I started using carbon calculators in 2019, but it’s in the past couple of years that things have really shifted with audits now part of the Whole Farm Plan,” he says. “It doesn’t have to be just a box-ticking exercise, there’s a lot of value to be had in pulling together data required and reviewing how your enterprises have performed and on what inputs.”

In Scotland, a carbon audit is now one of the five requirements under the Whole Farm Plan, which farmers must complete to access Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) support for which two audits were required in 2025 with all five, if applicable, required in 2028. Funding is through the Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) scheme, offering £500 towards an audit in 2025 meaning it is well worth getting sorted with a carbon audit whilst funding is available. 

Choosing the Right Tool for the Job

Since launching Stout Livestock Consulting Ltd, Daniel has used the Farm Carbon Calculator to carry out detailed carbon audits across a range of livestock systems. One of his most extensive applications of the tool has been on his very own home island of Fair Isle, where he completed 14 audits to help crofters meet the requirements of the Whole Farm Plan.

Flocks range in size with some businesses leasing out their in-bye land to other crofters. The audits revealed exceptionally low emissions from the common grazing flock, made up of hardy, low mature weight Shetland ewes, bred pure. These ewes lamb on the hill, are overwintered without supplementary feed, and rear at 90 percent. Two smaller common grazings on the island achieved a 100 percent rearing rate under the same low-input, hill-based system.

Croft flocks performed exceptionally well. Flocks made up of Texel, Cheviot or Highlander cross Shetland ewes, put to Texel or Suffolk rams, averaged a rearing rate of 164 percent from a total of 386 ewes to the tup (ranging from 154 to 171 percent). Crofts running mainly Shetland ewes put to Texel or Cheviot rams reared at an average of 139 percent from 135 ewes.

Shetland cross ewes with texel lambs on Fair Isle (photo credit: Daniel Stout)

Turning Carbon Audits into Insights

“What stood out was the consistently strong productivity the island’s flocks are achieving,” Daniel says. “When you look at the high rearing rates and kg of lamb weaned per kilo of ewe, with low ewe and lamb mortality and low replacement rates, the carbon footprint per kilo of output is impressively low.”

Beyond the numbers, Daniel sees carbon audits as a tool for farm improvement. “It gets farmers thinking about where their inputs are going and how enterprises are performing, highlighting resource use efficiency and what changes could be made that make both environmental and business sense.” On Fair Isle, this helped identify practical mitigation options such as reducing concentrate use, improving grassland management, and even exploring peatland restoration on the common grazings.

The calculator itself also enables broader consultancy services. Its extensive list of building materials supports accurate modelling of embedded carbon in infrastructure like sheds and steadings. “I’ve used it to create full carbon statements for free range poultry shed planning applications by modelling the embedded carbon of the shed alongside the annual operational emissions of the poultry enterprise and carbon sequestration from tree planting on the unit” Daniel says. 

The tool’s scenario modelling capabilities are another strength. “The copy report function is a useful tool,” he continues. “You can take an existing audit and tweak it to test different scenario ideas—changing feed use, trying woodland creation, adjusting flock/herd structure and different enterprises. It gives clients a clearer sense of what each option means for their emissions.”

Small Island, Big Lessons

From one of the UK’s most remote and weather-beaten farming communities, Daniel Stout has brought a grounded, practical approach to carbon auditing that resonates with livestock producers across the country. His use of the Farm Carbon Toolkit Calculator has not only helped crofters on Fair Isle meet policy requirements but also uncovered the strengths of their traditional systems—highlighting impressive productivity and low emissions in a challenging environment.

Whether for policy compliance, management improvement, or strategic planning, Daniel’s work demonstrates how carbon audits can empower farmers to make smarter, more sustainable choices—even from the edge of the map.

Daniel Stout is an FBAASS accredited consultant and user of The Farm Carbon Calculator with a Professional Licence. Stout Livestock Consulting provides independent livestock and farm business consultancy to farmers and crofters throughout Scotland. To reach Daniel call +44 7833 226884 – daniel@stoutlivestockconsulting.co.uk

If you want to hear about how our tool can help you deliver advice or projects in a similar way get in touch now or email us directly at calculator@farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk

Craig Blyth-Moore is a sustainability communications professional with over a decade of experience turning complex environmental issues into clear, compelling narratives. He has written extensively on energy efficiency, renewable energy, the energy transition and sustainable logistics, helping organisations communicate their sustainability strategies with credibility and impact. 

Craig holds an MSc in Environmental Sustainability and brings both subject matter expertise and strategic insight to his work. His writing has appeared on leading global platforms including Economist Impact and the World Economic Forum, helping to inform and inspire meaningful climate action.