Tim Ellis is a fourth-generation farmer based in Staffordshire, dedicated to cultivating an arable crop rotation with a commitment to sustainability and nature. His focus is on producing nutrient-rich food while simultaneously enhancing biodiversity across his land. Tim has taken significant steps to reduce reliance on artificial inputs. He no longer uses insecticides, plant growth regulators (PGRs), or seed treatments. Instead, he emphasises cover crops, soil health, biological approaches and targeted nutrition to maintain healthy crops, minimising the need for fungicides. Although Tim has successfully reduced nitrogen fertiliser usage, he recognises that it remains a crucial component for crop production, especially in the absence of livestock on the farm. This creates a problem for farming sustainably and reducing the farms carbon footprint – nitrogen currently accounts for 86% of carbon emissions on farm – so he is committed to developing a new approach to crop production using on farm nitrogen production with renewable energy. By focusing on management, effective nutrient cycling, and minimising the reliance on purchased inputs, it will be possible to maintain a robust and profitable farm. Tim’s strategy is designed to maximise the retention of farm income while actively supporting sustainability and ensuring long-term profitability.
Tim is the lead farmer on an ADOPT Innovate Project to test nitrogen fertiliser production on farm technology - further information can be found at firewaterag.uk
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