Buzzwords always seem to drive industries and consumers at any given time. Buzzwords can have a basis in science, or just be a matter of preference in certain product types. Right now, science and agriculture are looking for ways to be as environmentally responsible as possible. While many consumers understand this need, they don?t always understand that farmers need a way to remain profitable if they are going to take on practice changes like carbon reduction.
It isn?t as simple as flipping a switch. There are many avenues a farmer can go down, and each one comes with a price tag. Practices are varied, and what is good for some farms, may not be good on another. Sometimes carbon reduction will take acres out of production, while other times it may call for more inputs throughout the year, like cover crop seeds.
Bayer has a carbon program that incentivizes farmers to make changes in their operations. This makes it financially viable for producers to take a look at some alternative practices.
Lisa Streck is with Bayer, and she gives us an overview of their carbon incentive program. The program is in its second year and is gaining popularity. The only requirement for farmers is to sign up for a Climate Fieldview account.
Streck says that while the incentives are helping bring more farmers to the program, the bigger incentive is the data that is being seen by the agriculture industry in regard to the long-term benefits of these practices. The health of the soil and the quality of water are non-monetary investments in the future of your operation for generations to come.
While there are more farmers going to these practices, there are some that still believe these practices aren?t worth the effort or that this is just another fad. Streck urges those producers to look at the program and maybe enroll a small amount of acreage into the program, so you can see for yourself the benefits that you will have by taking carbon reduction strategies and implementing them in your operation. You really have nothing to lose by trying something new.
To learn more about the Bayer Carbon Initiatives, visit their website.
