Agroecology and Regen: Principles in Practice for Resilient Farming

The term "regenerative agriculture" has rapidly gained traction in recent years, for better or for worse, but what does it really mean?

At Oakbank, we work at the intersection of regenerative agriculture and agroecology, combining deep ecological expertise with robust on-farm agronomy and practice. Through our close links with clients and partnerships with large-scale commercial farm expertise and R&D and trials through Velcourt, we help deliver approaches that are both environmentally ambitious and practically workable at scale.

We define regenerative agriculture as a system-based approach, not a set prescription. It follows a set of flexible, evidence-led principles that aim to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and enhance ecosystem services, while also building long-term economic and ecological resilience on farms.

To “regenerate” is to improve a place or system - that is the goal or outcome we aim for. Success must be measured holistically, not just in yield. Regenerative systems support innovation, reduce dependence on inputs, and adapt to each farm’s climate, soil and resources.

With extreme weather, rising input costs and reduced government support putting pressure on farm businesses, regenerative approaches can offer practical and sustainable solutions. At Oakbank, we’ve developed tools, seed mixes and advisory services to support growers at every stage of the journey.

1. Understand the context

This principle is often overlooked, but it’s foundational. Regenerative agriculture works best when grounded in an understanding of your farm’s unique soil type, weather, topography and available labour and machinery.

Different soils respond differently to these techniques, so expectations should be realistic. It's not an overnight fix, it’s a journey. Whether the goal is erosion control, increased mycorrhizal fungi, improved organic matter and soil carbon or better nitrogen cycling, understanding your starting point is key.

At Oakbank, we help you define resource goals and build tailored plans around them -from rotation planning to seed selection.

2. Minimise soil disturbance

Reducing soil disturbance, whether through tillage, or excessive chemical or fertiliser inputs, can protect and restore vital soil biology and increase soil organic carbon. While the chemical and physical aspects of soil are well understood, the biological function is often underappreciated.

Over time, repeated cultivation and high-input systems can leave soils less resilient. But the biological component of soil has the ability to cycle nutrients, build aggregates, and increase organic matter - key processes in a healthy, functioning soil.

This doesn’t mean you must sell all your cultivation equipment or go no-till overnight - certain types of tillage may still be needed e.g. to reduce subsoil compaction (The Royal Society (2020) Soil structure and its benefits: An evidence synthesis.) But starting with reduced tillage or integrating biologically active amendments can bring clear results, including to the farm's profitability.

3. Maintain soil surface cover

Keeping soil covered acts as a natural form of “armour,” delivering benefits such as:

• Reduced erosion

• Stabilised soil temperature

• Improved soil organic carbon

• Less surface compaction

• Moisture retention

• Weed suppression

• Habitat for surface-dwelling organisms

Sources: Li, Y. et al (2020) Residue retention promotes soil carbon accumulation in minimum tillage systems: Implications for conservation agriculture, Blanco-Canqui, H. et al (2020) Cover crop impacts on soil physical properties: A review

Maintaining surface cover through cash crops, cover crops or residue retention builds soil function and can protect against climate extremes.

We understand there are practical challenges with machinery and crop establishment, especially in high-residue systems - but with the right tools and drilling equipment, it’s increasingly manageable.

📍 Ask about our tailored catch and cover crop mixes designed to maintain cover and build soil at the same time.

4. Maintain living roots

Living roots feed soil microbes through carbon-rich exudates that are essential for building biological activity and improving nutrient cycling.

In arable systems, catch and cover crops are the key to keeping roots in the soil outside of main crop windows. These living roots can:

• Reduce erosion

• Build soil organic matter

• Improve structure

• Fix and recycle nutrients

• Support pest and weed suppression

• Help improve water quality

Our diverse mixes maximise root biomass, diversity and soil-building potential.

📍 Talk to us about living mulches, companion cropping and seasonal cover strategies that keep roots alive year-round.

5. Increase species diversity

Nature doesn’t grow in monocultures. Diverse farming systems offer greater resilience and biological activity.

Spatial and temporal diversity can be built through:

• Rotations

• Multi-species cover crops

• Companion cropping

• Undersowing

• Intercropping

Beyond the field, hedgerows, wildflower margins and bird cover plots increase habitat availability for pollinators, ground beetles and beneficial predators (Jaworski, C. C. et al (2023) Crop diversification to promote arthropod pest management: A review.)

🖥️ View our webinar on the Benefits of Multi-Species Cover Crops with Joel Williams here.

🌱 Our team of environmental consultants can help design multi-species seed mixes tailored to your habitat and agronomic goals.

6. Incorporate livestock where possible

Livestock are a powerful, natural tool for nutrient cycling and soil health improvement. Whether grazing GS4 herbal leys, cover crops, or grass margins, properly managed animals can help:

• Deposit organic matter

• Reduce reliance on inputs

• Terminate cover crops, facilitating crop rotations

• Promote plant diversity through selective grazing

Grazing management must be strategic. Consider:

• When to graze (timing for recovery)

• How much to graze (intensity)

• How long to graze (to avoid overgrazing)

• How often to return (rest periods)

You don’t need to own livestock - contract grazing is increasingly popular and can offer shared value.

🐑 We can help design GS4, legume-rich leys and grass mixes to maximise benefits to your system.

Putting it all together

At Oakbank, we’ve been supporting regenerative systems for years through:

• Bespoke catch, cover and companion cropping advice

• Custom-designed seed mixes

• Field-scale trials

• Workshops, webinars, and expert input from leaders like Joel Williams, Nicole Masters, and Dr. Christine Jones

  
  

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to optimise an advanced system, we’re here to help you build a strategy that fits your land and business.

👉 Get in touch today to speak with one of our regenerative advisors or to be added to our Cover Crop Group for event updates and technical news.