Terrafarmer is working with Câr-y-Môr, WWF UK, and Welsh farmers to trial a regenerative, seaweed-based biological input that could help reduce fertiliser use, build soil biology, and boost farm resilience
With pressure mounting to farm more sustainably, reduce synthetic inputs, and meet the challenges of climate change and water quality regulation, UK farmers are looking for practical tools to stay productive and profitable.
It’s about cutting through the noise and showing what works in practice—on real farms, with real data.
Seaweed-based biological inputs (ask biostimulants) like those made by Welsh regenerative seaweed farm Câr-y-Môr show real promise. But without farm-scale trials and hard data, it’s difficult to know where they fit in your system, or whether they can really deliver.
Putting Biological Inputs to the Test
In collaboration with WWF UK and Farming Connect, and building on previous research trials carried out by Câr-y-Môr over the last few years, Terrafarmer is running a new field trial across a number of Pembrokeshire farms to see how Câr-y-Môr biological inputs perform in real-world conditions.
Each farm will have various trail plots including:
- Control: No biological input, standard fertiliser
- Treatment 1: Biological input + 30% fertiliser reduction
- Treatment 2: Biological input + 50% fertiliser reduction
Each plot will be GPS-tagged to ensure repeatable sampling, with a clear, shared protocol to guide the process, ensuring consistency across all the sites. At one of the sites, we will trial a zero-fertiliser plot to really put the product to the test.
Over the season, we will assess soil structure, soil biology, crop yield, and nutritional value using methods including:
- Soil analysis (Solvita tests)
- Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS)
- Leaf, grain, and feed value analyses
- Quadrat-based yield assessments (where farm data is unavailable)
The farmers involved in the trial will also support the trial through local measurements and field observations.
Building on Previous Research
This new project builds on previous trial work undertaken by Câr-y-Môr and WWF UK over the last six years and, specifically, the Tanygraig Project that Câr-y-Môr did with Farming Connect in 2024.
Indeed, WWF UK’s support over the last five years has been instrumental in establishing Câr-y-Môr as a unique Community Benefit Society, with the aims of improving the coastal environment and the well-being of local people. The venture now employs 20 people, and members have a say in key decisions and the opportunity to invest.
What Farmers Can Expect
The Câr-y-Môr trials aim to deliver credible, practical data that helps build understanding of seaweed-based biological inputs and their place in regenerative farming systems.
- Can biological inputs help reduce fertiliser requirement without impacting yield?
- Do they improve soil health parameters, such as biology and organic matter?
- What’s the return on investment?
We’re aiming to generate farm-ready insights—not just lab results—and we’ll share them through a mini-summary report and a farmer-facing workshop later in the year.
A Step Toward Regenerative, Resilient Farming
Backed by WWF UK and Farming Connect, this trial could help inform national efforts on low-input, climate-smart farming in the UK. It’s about cutting through the noise and showing what works in practice—on real farms, with real data. Stay tuned for results!
Interested in biological inputs?
Are you curious about whether biological inputs could work on your farm? We can offer practical advice on tried and tested biological inputs which will benefit your soil health and productivity.
Click here to find out more about our biological inputs services.
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