What do we mean by regenerative farming?
We use regenerative farming to describe an approach that aims to improve soil health and landscape function while maintaining a productive, viable farm business.
Common practices include maintaining soil cover, increasing plant diversity, keeping living roots growing where conditions allow, reducing unnecessary soil disturbance and integrating livestock where appropriate. The combination depends on the land, climate and farming objectives.
In a crop-and-livestock system, crops may provide income, animal feed and soil cover. Livestock use some of that production and return nutrients through manure. Managing grazing, plant recovery and retained groundcover is important to achieving the intended benefits.
Where SmartYield helps
A practical starting point is understanding what the land can support. SmartYield compares site characteristics and historical climate conditions with the biological requirements of supported field crops.
The assessment helps farmers and advisors:
- Identify suitable crop options to investigate for production, rotations and potential fodder use.
- Match planting periods and crop growth stages with seasonal climate conditions.
- Understand limitations affecting different fields.
- Focus further investigation before committing to a farming programme.
What requires additional assessment
SmartYield does not design the complete regenerative system. Grain yield estimates do not establish fodder yield, feed quality or livestock carrying capacity. Unsupported cover crops require separate assessment.
It also does not measure soil regeneration, nitrogen fixation, carbon gains or grazing performance. Results depend on reliable site information and historical climate, with local verification and advice needed to develop the management programme.
SmartYield provides the site suitability foundation. The farmer and advisor use those findings to develop a regenerative system suited to the property.