Trees could be the key to ensuring food production amidst climate change and biodiversity loss, according to farmers and researchers who will be leading the charge at the UK’s first Agroforestry Show. Researchers and farming pioneers have found that agroforestry – combining trees with livestocks or crops – can protect animals during heat waves, boost yields, and cut river and air pollution.
These findings will be presented at the show alongside new discoveries by farmers on how best to incorporate trees on farms as tools for climate resilience and producing food. The two-day Agroforestry Show, being organised by the Soil Association and Woodland Trust on September 6 and 7, aims to upskill farmers and foresters to expand agroforestry as a key climate, nature and farming solution across the UK.
The event programme, released today (Tuesday July 11), will feature more than 100 speakers on all aspects of agroforestry and include research on how trees can prevent river pollution and reduce ammonia emission, plus insights into the benefits of tree shade to reduce heat impacts on livestock. Farmers will also be sharing both what has worked and what hasn’t with tree planting, and the impacts it has on nature, with new updates on farm research that is being supported by the event organisers.
The need to adapt to a rapidly changing climate is becoming a critical concern for farmers. Dryer and hotter summers can have devastating effects on both arable and pastoral farms and speakers will reveal how adopting agroforestry can serve as an important buffer in heatwaves as well as in cold and wet conditions. Shade from trees can prevent heat stress on dairy cows which can lead to lower productivity, higher disease levels and reproduction issues.
Soil Association Head of Agroforestry Ben Raskin said:
“The nation’s love of trees and hedgerows shows we intrinsically understand the benefits of trees on farms. But we desperately need more, and this event aims to empower people to make this happen. Evidence from farming pioneers and researchers shows that agroforestry can deliver resilience for land managers across the country. Trees can protect their farms from extreme weather, make additional income from tree products and build biodiversity into their land.
But there is a knowledge gap in this country so the Agroforestry Show is aimed at giving farmers and foresters the confidence to have a go by themselves to kick-start a farmer-led tree revolution.”
Helen Chesshire, Lead Farming Advocate at the Woodland Trust said:
“We know bringing more trees into the UK farmed landscapes is essential if we are to meet nature and climate goals. Implementing agroforestry does this whilst also supporting farmers to continue to produce agricultural outputs – a win-win scenario. But with less than 5% the UK agricultural area under agroforestry this show is needed to give farmers and foresters the confidence to implement it at scale.”
Modelling by Cranfield University, which is summarised in the Woodland Trust’s recent Agroforestry Report*, showed that by establishing silvopastoral systems on 30% of England’s grasslands it would bring pastoral systems into net zero greenhouse gas production by 2051 (assuming no emission cuts from other farm operations).
There are over 100 expert speakers attending the show, at Eastbrook Farm near Swindon, which is backed by lead sponsor Sainsbury’s, to discuss first-hand how they are using trees on their farms.
Book tickets for the show at: https://www.agroforestryshow.com/tickets