Alongside pulses and energy crops, fibre crops could be considered as an emerging third pathway for diversified arable rotations. With rising interest in natural fibres for bedding, biocomposites and manufacturing, flax and hemp offer soil-improving properties and new market opportunities—though not without challenges.
This paper is by RASE
In a recent Farm of the Future webinar which delved into options for diversifying rotations, Jonathan Hodgson, arable farmer and runner-up in the 2025 Soil Farmer of the Year competition, shared his experiences integrating flax and hemp into his rotation as part of a wider shift towards soil-focused, regenerative farming.