Food Matters Live Podcasts

Soil is such a crucial part of the planet, it is difficult to overstate just how important it is.

In previous episodes of the Food Matters Live podcast, we have looked at a number of issues surrounding soil and its role in the global food system.

We have covered topics such as biodiversity in soil, and why we should all be concerned about soil erosion.

But as well as underpinning the global food production system, soil is also a vast reservoir of carbon.

And in this era of climate crisis, a huge amount of work is going into one question: how much more carbon could we store down there?

What is carbon sequestration?

• The capturing and removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• Biological carbon sequestration is a natural process
• Geological carbon sequestration is largely artificial, such as carbon capture initiatives and in the production of graphene
• Soil, oceans and forests naturally absorb carbon and store it for many thousands of years

Carbon sequestration is getting significant attention from governments, corporations and celebrities, who are funnelling large amounts of money into related initiatives.

Ultimately, the solution is bound to be complex, involving significant changes to global agriculture.

So, how can the food industry, and specifically food producers do more to help their soils capture and store more carbon?

Tom Tolputt, Director of South West Farm Consultant

Tom runs an organic farm with his wife and three children. As well as working with mixed farming, 650 acres of arable land and livestock, Tom has worked in animal nutrition and consultancy for 25 years and is the Director of South West Farm Consultants.

He has spent the last five years developing a sustainable, biological and regenerative business called Terrafarmer after travelling around the USA and visiting Gary Zimmer and grass based dairies. Gary Zimmer, the founder of Madison, Wisconsin-based Midwestern BioAg, is considered the father of “biological farming” – essentially the first iteration of regenerative agriculture – which focuses on balancing soil biology, chemistry and structure to produce greater, higher-quality yields.

Tom is passionate about ruminant grazing and sustainable farming being a force for environmental good.

Simon Borthwick, European Business Head – Fertiliser, Cefetra Group

Simon joined the Cefetra Group as the European Business Head - Fertiliser in March 2021. Cefetra Group supplies agricultural raw materials for the feed, food and fuel industry and is part of the German BayWa Group.

Simon leads the business partnership between Cefetra and Anglo American, being responsible for developing and managing the marketing and distribution of POLY4 across 33 European countries.  

Simon has been in the agricultural trade for 30 years. The majority of his career has been in leadership roles managing change, promoting business development and the adoption of new innovations and technologies.

Brian Wade, Head of Crop Science and Solution Development, Anglo American Crop Nutrients

Brian is originally from a farm in the state of Iowa in the middle of the United States. Brian was recently appointed as the Head of Innovative Solutions for Anglo American Crop Nutrients. 

He graduated with a PhD in Crop Science and has worked for leading agricultural input companies with responsibility to create and grow the use of more efficient inputs to achieve productive, resilient and responsible crop production.