Andrew Bergin discusses transitioning his farm in Ireland to no-till and cover cropping practices over the past decade. The sandy soil was previously tilled but now straw is baled while other straw is chopped and the land is direct drilled with a cover crop. This has led to changing soils with increased organic matter and diversity above and below ground. While there were challenges initially, the regenerative practices have helped with risk management and the farm now explores opportunities for environmental payments and carbon farming.

1. Spring Seminar 2021 Smart Farming
Land Restoration through
No-TillCereals
‘TheAccidentalRegenerativeFarmer'
Andrew Bergin 22.04.21

2. My Farm
• Sandy
• pH 8 +
• 850mm annual rainfall
• Cropping with no organic manure
• Peas/beans -WinterWheat - Spring barley -
Winter oats - Spring barley

3. Background
1980’s
• Worked on family tillage farm
• Father retired
• Worked machinery with neighbour
• Neighbour retired

4. Background
1990’s
• Labour issues on a lot of farms
• Seasonal peaks
• Farms struggling with old machines
• Changed 3 old combines for one new one
• Developed machine sharing arrangements between 3.5 farms

5. Background
2010’s
• Gradual wind down of sharing
• Demo of strip drill in 2013
• All strip drilled within 2 years
• GLAS cover crops
• Lower disturbance drill in 2016

6. System
• Barley straw baled
• Other straw chopped
• Cover crop
• Direct drill
• Roll

7. Regenerative Farming
Principles
• Minimum soil disturbance
• Maintain living roots
• Maximum diversity of plants
• Livestock and organic manures

8. How’s it Going ?
• Soils changing
• Boots on the ground
• Risk management

9. Supports
• BASE IRL
• DANU EIP Project

10. Is this for you?
• Conventional or organic?
• Regenerative premium
• Carbon farming
• Environmental payments
• Suck it and see