Improving Farm Profitability

Improving efficiencies

Working with farmers we have seen how making small changes to farm management or practices can lead to increased profitability alongside reductions in carbon emissions.  With uncertainty in some input costs, e.g. feed and fertiliser, making the best use of resources is key to ensuring profitability.  Becoming more sustainable increases the viability of farming for future generations.  The topics below are worth consideration to help build business resilience.

Start with a carbon footprint

A carbon footprint could help you to identify previously hidden savings on routine farm activities. Our Climate Change Focus Farm project showed that significant financial and carbon savings can be achieved through low cost adaptations.

Managing carbon on the farm

Optimise Livestock Performance

Livestock production is a key component of Scottish agriculture. Efficient management can help to lessen the impact on climate change.

Optimising livestock productivity

Improve soil quality

Predictions suggest that our climate will get wetter and warmer. As soil gets wetter, there is a loss of fertility and crops roots can be damaged causing losses in production. Optimising soil structure, organic matter and drainage can help improve water infiltration, improve productivity and reduce the loss of greenhouse gases.

Improve soil quality

Make the most of nutrient management

For the majority, it will not be practical or economic to replace all fertilisers with manures, slurries, compost and digestates, but the aim should be to make maximum use of the manures and slurries that are available on the farm.

Make the most of nutrient management

Energy and Fuel Use

At the farm level emissions arise from the use of fossil fuels, manufactured inputs, manure, as a natural by-product of animal digestion, cultivation of soils and changes in land use and vegetation.

Energy and fuel use

Developing Renewable Energy

Renewable energy can boost farm incomes and secure a source of power for the future.

Develop renewable energy

More about how to Improve Farm Profitability

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