Improve your soil health

Carbon Dating is...
connecting arable farmers with livestock farmers.

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Connecting Arable Farmers with Livestock Farmers

Carbon Dating wants to connect arable farmers with livestock farmers, with the overall aim is to help build carbon levels in arable soils. It is a “hook-up” service for livestock farmers who want land and arable farmers who want stock.

Historically much of UK was built around “mixed farming”, a combination of arable and livestock farming within the same farm business.

Over the last fifty years in response to new technologies, farm economics and government policies mixed farms have given way to farms that specialise in one type of farming.

The loss of mixed farming has contributed to the decline in the state of the UK’s soils and a reduction in the amount of organic matter (carbon) in the soil.

The Golden Hoof
​Arable Farmer Benefits

• Higher levels of organic matter (soil carbon) will be built up in their soils, which will help their future resilience.
• Improved soil structure
• Reduced soil erosion
• Improved water storage
• Enhanced organic functioning of the soil
• Reduced weed and disease pressure
• Reduced inputs – fertiliser and pesticides

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Clean Forage
Livestock Farmer Benefits

• Access to clean grazing
• Access to extra forage – especially during the hungry gap
• Reduced inputs – fertiliser, wormers, bought-in feed
• Own grassland has longer rest periods
• Less poaching
• Reduced overgrazing

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Successful Partnerships Between Arable and Livestock Farmers

Carbon Dating is a response to these major environmental challenges facing the UK agricultural sector:

• Climate change – more carbon needs to be locked up in the soil and ruminants need to make better use of forage.
• Poor soil health and weed and pest resistance on arable farms.
• Lack of clean grazing and costly inputs on livestock farms.

These issues contribute to the perception that both arable and livestock farming are detrimental to the environment.
The Carbon Dating vision is that successful partnerships between arable and livestock farmers can enhance the sustainability of all systems and help the UK meet its climate change and other environmental targets.

What is it? How do I Carbon Date?

Carbon Dating is a website that allows farmers to share details about what they have to offer and what they need. You can search for farmers local to you or for specific needs. The actual detail of arrangements and the details of the agreement need to be made between individual farmers.

Think of it like dating.

You like the look of the offer. You have a chat. Then perhaps to meet up to have a closer look. If things feel right then you will need to have more formal discussions and you may need to get professional advice on the detail… but at least you have made the initial contact and the wheels are moving. ​

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Be part of the driving force that helps the UK meet its environmental targets.