Great Step Forward for Sustainable Barley Growing Field Forward Launched by Crisp

Crisp Malt has just announced the largest sustainable agriculture initiative in the UK malting industry. 

The company’s Field Forward initiative will mark a significant step forward for brewers and distillers looking to advance sustainability credentials of their supply chains.

“We’re incredibly proud to launch this bold step towards securing the long-term sustainability of our barley supply,” says Ellie Wood, sustainability coordinator at Crisp. 

“Field Forward aims for continuous improvement in four key impact areas: soil health, water usage, biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions. At the heart of the scheme is a data-driven approach to sustainable farming, built around a clear methodology.

“The principles behind Field Forward are simple: work in partnership with our growers; gather data; analyse it; share it; agree targets; and drive sustainable agricultural practices.”

The initiative was developed through Crisp’s ABC Grower Group, which comprises around 200 farms. Originally formed to ensure high quality barley and dependable contracts to support farmers, the ABC Grower Group has become a well-established, trusted hub of knowledge exchange and agronomic collaboration. 

Field Forward is being rolled out in partnership with Crisp’s Scottish Grower Group, with the first phase of data collection beginning here.

Grower Group members have been surveyed on their farming practices and are submitting data on metrics relating to the four areas of soil health, water, biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions. This they do via the Map of Ag data platform. A baseline for the group has been established; key achievements revealed; higher risk areas identified; and opportunities to improve highlighted.

 “Grower Groups will be able to build a broad picture of the most successful practices in different locations, dependent on their varying topography, soil types and micro-climates,” says Ellie. “Once they have that picture, we can work with our merchants and farmers to set realistic targets for the Group. 

“The targets will be specific to the context of the Grower Group, and farmers will make their own decisions on how to meet them. The great thing is, through Field Forward, they will have empirical data on which to base their choices.” 

Continuous improvement is a cornerstone of the scheme.

“Field Forward isn’t a tick-box exercise. It tracks the same farms year after year to show real progress over time. It’s about ongoing data-gathering and realistic, measurable targets. It will help build on-farm resilience and secure Crisp’s supply chain for the long-term. In doing so, it will also help secure the supply chains of our brewing and distilling customers.” 

To ensure integrity and transparency, the scheme’s claims will be verified by an independent third party audit, using the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform’s Regenerating Together Programme. This is a global standard for sustainable agriculture that can be applied to all crops, in all contexts, across the globe.

The merchants involved in the ABC Grower Group have welcomed Field Forward as an opportunity to deliver meaningful sustainability outcomes. 

Tom Rivett of H Banham says, “We are proud to be part of the Field Forward initiative, ensuring reliable, local supply of quality grain to meet the growing demand for traceable and environmentally responsible products.”

Matthew Adams, managing director at Adams & Howling comments, “A key aspect of Field Forward’s impact has been collaboration between the malting and farming industry. The initiative helps maintain a sustainable supply chain that meets both environmental standards and market demands. This partnership is driving innovation and accountability across the industry, reinforcing Crisp Malt’s position as a leader in sustainable malt production.” 

Ends. 

Pictures and all logos can be found here: https://we.tl/t-blGbJ1pP3F

Further info: 

frances@redflamecommunications.co.uk 07432 692309 

laura@redflamecommunications.co.uk 07813 158670 

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