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Cons of Regenerative Ag
by Eric Novey, NRCS
The pros of transitioning to regenerative agriculture are often discussed but what are the cons? In a recent article written by Kent Solberg, Understanding Ag Consultant, he compiled ten drawbacks associated with the transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture.
1. Transitioning to regenerative agriculture represents a significant shift from the established industrial commodity framework, and the fear of embarrassment or rejection can heavily influence decision-making. Overcoming this fear requires considerable courage.
2. Regenerative agriculture necessitates engagement with intricate biological and ecological systems, yet many agricultural researchers lack training in these areas. To effectively comprehend holistic management practices, researchers must apply analytical methods from ecological sciences. Some scholars are beginning to assess regenerative agriculture through various analytical frameworks to evaluate outcomes.
3. The outcomes of regenerative agriculture are closely tied to deliberate management, often outweighing the importance of specific practices. Best management practices (BMPs) have not effectively addressed issues such as water quality, and many agricultural solutions merely tackle the symptoms of larger problems. The Six Principles of Soil Health and the Three Rules of Adaptive Stewardship focus on addressing fundamental issues, with successful implementation yielding the most significant benefits.
4. Regenerative agriculture should be viewed as an ongoing journey rather than a fixed endpoint. Despite the misconception of achieving a specific goal, tangible progress in ecosystem development on farms and ranches is observable among those who remain committed to the process.
5. Farmers and ranchers often anticipate a straightforward relationship between practices and outcomes; however, the responses of most biological systems are influenced by compounding and cascading effects, resulting in exponential, non-linear reactions. These responses typically follow a sigmoid curve and may require time to reverse, particularly in severely degraded soils. The advancements within biological systems can be remarkable.
6. Initial results may not be impressive in regenerative agriculture but starting with something simple such as a single species cover crop can lead to significant progress. The Six Principles of Soil Health are not a menu of options but applying them to most acres is crucial. Farmers should not expect linear responses with application of products or practices, as soil is a biological system.
7. The agricultural industry often offers quick, easy solutions to complex problems, but regenerative agriculture requires focus on the foundational understanding of key principles for long-term, regenerative success, without reliance on consulting or costly inputs.
8. The end of SWAG may see retailers cease offering “free” items to customers who no longer rely on their products.
9. Change your perspective on agriculture, challenging the status quo and focusing on your business, land, family, and community, even if faced with pushback from professors and academia.
10. Engaging in unconventional activities can reveal the true nature of your friends and their values, leading to the realization that having quality friends is superior.
