Sustainability may be a ‘buzz word' in many conversations concerning agriculture at the moment, but what does it mean to farmers at the coal face?
Think of sustainability and environmental credentials might be first to spring to mind - but for many farms, sustainability has a much bigger remit.
By definition [the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level], it ultimately defines how a farming business might be secured for future generations.
On a recent episode of the Farmers Guardian Over The Farmgate podcast to mark the launch of the Farmers Guardian #FarmingCAN campaign for another year, livestock farmers from England, Wales and Scotland delved into what the term means to them and their farming systems at home.
And while the environmental aspect is clearly important, so to are factors including efficiency, productivity and succession planning which also have an important role in securing these farming businesses for future generations.
Pillars
Mixed farmer Tom James works alongside his family on their beef, sheep and arable farm in Herefordshire.
For him, sustainability falls between social, economic and environmental pillars with the environmental aspect, he says, gaining the most momentum in the industry since late 1990s because of its emotive credentials.
He says: "The word sustainable has been banded with environmentalism solely, as it is a word that can be used to target the masses and stir emotions."
And with the environmental domain taking great influence, Mr James believes there is a risk that the social and economic factors could be neglected to the detriment of British farmers. factors of sustainability.
In Wales Nia Davies works alongside her partner, Harry, and his family on their dairy, beef and sheep farm near Tregaron in mid-Wales.
Land here ranges from hill to lowland, with the farm comprising a 120-cow Holstein Friesian cows and 1,200 Welsh Mountain ewes, with beef stores kept on from the dairy herd.
Ms Davies also works full-time as an associate lecturer at Aberystwyth University where she teaches agriculture.
Efficient
A sustainable farming business, she says, is one that is working with the environment, making the best and most efficient use of the resources they have for production.
"For us as livestock producers where we are geographically means we emphasise on effective grassland, good animal health and genetics, nutrition and succession which is crucial if we expect farms to carry on and future generations to take over."
North of the border in Scotland, Bruce Mackie farms some 30 miles north of Aberdeen where he milks 250 cows through four Lely robots on an organic system and produces yogurt on the farm under the Rora Dairy brand.
Communication
Efficiency and effective communication are two key components of his farm business model, both which he believes are crucial to its long-term sustainability.
He says: "If we can produce longer living cows, calve heifers at 24 months so that the heifer period when they are not productive is spread over a longer lifetime with more litres. I think we can make a real difference in terms of reducing the carbon footprint per litre of milk."
Beyond carbon and biodiversity has a part to play, says Mr Mackie, with environmental gains and farming able to co-exist with the right management.
Listen to the full podcast .
