Farmers across the U.K. are embracing regenerative agriculture to address climate change, protect biodiversity, and stabilize their operations amid fluctuating commodity prices. ADM, a global agribusiness leader, is playing a pivotal role by offering financial incentives, technical assistance, and digital verification tools to farmers implementing practices like cover cropping and reduced tillage.

Martin Lines, a farmer in Cambridgeshire whose family has cultivated Papley Grove since 1936, emphasizes the urgency: "We need all partners to unite and build a healthy agricultural system that feeds the nation and offers climate resilience."

ADM's regenerative program-launched in North America in 2022 and expanded to the U.K.-compensates farmers for practices that can sequester carbon, enhance soil structure, and reduce input costs. This comes at a critical time: the 2023-24 winter was the second wettest on record in England, severely disrupting planting schedules.

Facing Weather Extremes With Innovation

James Daw, managing 3,000 acres across Woodhouse Farm and Thorpe Estate in Staffordshire, is confronting these challenges firsthand. "Conditions are worsenihotter summers, heavier rainfall-and with rising input costs, the financial risks are enormous," he says.

Daw, who grows oats, wheat, barley, beans, and oilseed rape, sees regenerative agriculture not just as a necessity, but a legacy. "We're doing this for the next generation. If we don't act now, these soils won't sustain future food production."

Industry Collaboration and Global Expansion

ADM is leveraging its position across the entire agricultural value chain to forge meaningful collaborations. In 2024, it joined forces with Bayer in Poland to test regenerative methods on 9,000 hectares of rapeseed. Early results showed a 15% reduction in emissions on farms using at least one regenerative practice compared to conventional operations. ADM also partnered with AgriTech firm Klim to scale its re:generations™ initiative across Germany, targeting 60,000 acres by late 2025.

These projects aren't isolated. ADM's partnerships are part of a broader push to create a global network of regenerative agriculture, aligned with Scope 3 emissions goals and supply chain transparency.

Technology, Data, and Farmer Networks

Support goes beyond payments. In the U.K., ADM partners with Map of Ag to deliver localized sustainability metrics, from nitrogen efficiency to carbon emissions and biodiversity indicators. This empowers farmers with real-time data to improve practices and track environmental performance.

To enhance knowledge sharing and on-the-ground support, ADM also collaborates with Ceres Rural, providing technical advice and hosting peer-to-peer workshops. This holistic approach has driven strong adoption rates among U.K. farmers, positioning the country as a leader in regenerative transition.

A Model for U.S. Agriculture?

While the ADM program in the U.K. showcases international innovation, it holds clear lessons for U.S. agriculture. American growers facing similar climatic and economic pressures can benefit from scalable models that combine incentives, verification, and cross-sector collaboration. With the next farm bill expected to address carbon markets and conservation funding, regenerative strategies could soon become central to U.S. ag policy.