As the agriculture industry embraces change and innovation, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is emerging as an opportunity for farmers to combine successful economic sustainability with environmental responsibility. George Portch, a dairy and beef farmer in Somerset, shares is journey working with Integrated Land Management (ILM) and how BNG has become a key element in the evolution of his farm.

George has a herd of Dexter suckler cattle on his farm in Somerset. We discussed the complexity of the emerging marketing for BNG units, and the guidance required to navigate it successfully: “Without help from ILM, it’s unlikely we would be looking at entering the BNG market, and if we had, we would certainly not be as far forward as we are now with the expert guidance we’ve had from Sam and Melissa. Their understanding of farming is crucial, Sam fully understands all the pros and cons for me as a landowner signing up to the deal.”

According to George, participating in BNG is a strategic move for the future of his farm. He envisions a scenario where grazing cattle on land designated for biodiversity becomes a management tool.

“We already farm our land using low input methods, and we feel that whilst farming to improve BNG will inevitably have some restrictions and limits of productivity, we can still maintain our herd of cattle on the area with some changes to our management practices. This means we can continue to rear our excellent quality beef animals while increasing the biodiversity across the site.”

Amidst uncertainties around subsidies, milk prices, and input costs, BNG provides a unique opportunity for farmers, offering long-term certainty. George states “In my experience, there are not many options for landowners that can offer all of those benefits to your business”. George’s positive experience with ILM underscores the importance of having a knowledgeable and supportive partner when considering BNG. As farmers look for avenues that provide economic and environmental benefits to their business, ILM have proven themselves as a reliable guide, helping farmers navigate the complexities of the BNG landscape.

As the agricultural industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this stand as a testament to the integration of BNG into current farming practices. It offers a unique opportunity to advance the narrative of farming whilst contributing to sustainable practice that benefit both the land and the landowner. We are excited to see what this future can bring.