Civil Eats

DECEMBER 4, 2023

Black polyethylene “mulch film” gets tucked snugly around crop rows, clear plastic sheeting covers hoop houses, and most farmers use plastic seed trays, irrigation tubes, and fertilizer bags. The field consumes 14 million tons of plastics every year, with crop and livestock production accounting for 80 percent.

Agriculture 145

Agriculture Agriculture Supply Chain Production 145

Sustainable Food Trust

OCTOBER 1, 2024

David narrowed his eyes beneath his wide-brimmed straw hat and scanned the plain of yellow esparto waving in the hot wind. They shear in April and do it themselves to avoid having to pay the Eastern European shearing gangs to remove what should be a valuable crop but has become another cost in an already struggling industry.

Arable Land 98

Arable Land Straw Marketing Manure 98

Sustainable Food Trust

JANUARY 14, 2025

The arable land is farmed in a multi-year rotation including fodder crops such as lucerne, grains and vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, beetroot and parsnips. In summer, the 62 cows within the herd give birth on pasture, in winter they are moved to a spacious calving box with deep straw bedding in the barn.

Pasture 64

Pasture Straw Cattle Arable Land 64