The Farmers Guardian Podcast

Preparing for Brexit: DAIRY

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Preparing for Brexit: ARABLE

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Preparing for Brexit: SHEEP

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News this week: delving beyond the headlines

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Planning for the future and protecting farmers in new trade deals

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Rural crime, Adam Henson talks Countryfile and #Farm24 reaches operatic heights

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Food - Strategy, Exporting and #Farm24

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Brexit and trade special - part one

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It&#39;s Farm Safety Week

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Making More with What You&#39;ve Got

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Food standards of the future

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What is Net Zero?

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British food in a post Brexit world

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Livestock judging and no more rain dances

<p>This week on Over The Farm Gate we&apos;re talking water policy.<br/><br/>Flooding one minute, drought the next – what are we doing wrong in the UK with our water management strategy? And how can we fix it?<br/><br/>Jez Fredenburgh speaks to Dr Mhari Barnes, a hydrologist by training, and the NFU’s national flood management and access policy adviser about the current state of things in the UK and what farmers through to government can do.<br/><br/>We also talk to Innes Thomson, chief executive at the Association of Drainage Authorities, about what we can learn from other countries including France, Spain and Portugal. <br/><br/>Meanwhile, Coronavirus may have forced the cancellation of shows up and down the country but you can still show off your prized animals thanks to FG’s new competition. We’re asking you to send in pictures of livestock you were hoping to take to the ring, which will then be judged by our panel of experts and the winner receiving a cash prize. Visit our website.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Taking the lead - dog attacks

<p>Since lockdown, rural insurer NFU Mutual estimates a 15 per cent increase in claims relating to dog attacks. We speak to South Downs sheep farmer Caroline Harriott, who has lost 100 sheep in the last 10 years. She talks about her own experience and how farmers in her area are adapting.<br/><br/>We also hear from Rob Taylor, a former police sergeant in North Wales, who is chairman of the Livestock Offences Group on the National Police Chief&apos;s Council. Rob talks about why he&apos;s trying to get the law on livestock worrying changed, and what rights farmers have. <br/><br/>As the lockdown eases and the public descend on the countryside in their droves, Sophie Dwerryhouse, national access adviser at the CLA explains the process of temporarily diverting rights of way in order to keep walkers and livestock safe. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

A year like no other - the ag double-whammy

<p>This week on Over The Farm Gate we&apos;re taking a moment to reflect as we enter the third month since lockdown.<br/><br/>&apos;Unprecedented&apos; says it all. Between a global pandemic and unseasonable weather, it&apos;s been a real test for farmers and businesses.</p><p>With farmers facing arid conditions across the UK and little rainfall forecast over the coming weeks, we take a look at the impact on arable and livestock farmers and ask what more the Government can do to improve our water security.<br/><br/></p><p><a href='https://www.fginsight.com/cedric-porter'>Cedric Porter</a> joins us from the FG business desk with fresh analysis on how the markets are negotiating both weather and the Covid-19 pandemic, with a special focus on the outlook for the potato sector.<br/><br/></p><p>There may have calls to end the weekly clap for carers, but <a href='https://www.fginsight.com/news/young-farmer-salutes-nhs-and-key-workers-in-tractor-run--109057'>Charlie Smithem</a>, a young farmer from Derbyshire, will continue to unite those from within and outside of agriculture with his specially liveried New Holland tractor which says ‘thank you’ to the NHS and key workers. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Mental Health in Farming

<p>Following on from last week - <a href='https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week'>Mental Health Awareness Week</a> - we&apos;ve caught up with the people at the forefront, tackling this huge issue for the farming industry and wider rural community. </p><p>Suzy Deeley from <a href='https://rabi.org.uk/'>RABI</a> talks to Jez Fredenburgh about the strains farmers are facing, and the impact Coronavirus is having on fundraising and consequential social interaction.</p><p><br/></p><p>Did you know there was 6,507 deaths in the UK in 2018 by suicide? Whilst this may be an uncomfortable fact, Emma Picton Jones of the <a href='https://www.thedpjfoundation.co.uk/'>DPJ Foundation</a> believes we should be talking about it more. Emma is joined by Philip Wilson of the <a href='https://fcn.org.uk/'>Farming Community Network (FCN)</a>, to discuss the signs of struggling mental health, who&apos;s suffering right now, and what help is available right now.<br/><br/></p><p>Share the load, and keep well.<br/><br/></p><p>More help is available at our dedicated <a href='https://www.fginsight.com/farmersstrivetothrive'>Farmers Strive to Thrive</a> mental health hub. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Coronavirus: eating habits and the Agriculture Bill

<p>As the Agriculture Bill returned to Parliament and an amendment which would have banned low standard food imports from entering the UK was voted down, FG’s chief reporter Abi Kay gives her <a href='https://www.fginsight.com/news/agriculture-bill-amendment-to-ban-low-standard-imports-defeated-in-parliament--108604'>verdict</a>.</p><p><a href='https://ahdb.org.uk/Staff/kim-malley'>Kim Malley</a> and <a href='https://ahdb.org.uk/Staff/steven-evans'>Steve Evans</a> from <a href='https://ahdb.org.uk/'>AHDB</a>’s consumer insight team discuss how the nation’s shopping and eating habits have changed on lockdown, and whether the trends are here to stay. We then dive deeper into one category – red meat – to look at how things are playing out on farm and in the marts. Giving his insight is Neil Wilson, executive director, <a href='https://iaas.co.uk/'>Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland</a>. </p><p><br/></p><p>Rural tourism businesses may have been hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic but the green shoots of recovery are on the horizon. We ask <a href='https://www.cla.org.uk/contacts'>Victoria Vyvyan</a>, CLA Vice President, what the Government needs to do to help the sector bounce back.</p><p><br/></p><p>When North Yorkshire farmer David Newhouse was taken into hospital after contracting Covid-19, leaving his wife alone lambing their flock of 240 Cheviot Mules, his friend Sam Stables came to the rescue. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Coronavirus: British producers adapting to thrive

<p>This week on Over The Farm Gate we&apos;re talking food.</p><p>It’s now eight weeks since the Coronavirus lockdown, and for some it has brought a completely new way of living and working. For a lot of farming businesses though, the soaring demand for British produce has brought commercial opportunities, with numerous producers up and down the country turning to direct selling. We&apos;re finding out how businesses have been adapting and not only staying afloat, but thriving. </p><p><br/></p><p>Writer and regenerative agriculture organiser <a href='https://www.cathystgermansevents.com/'>Cathy St Germans</a> talks about &apos;<a href='https://www.cathystgermansevents.com/farms-to-feed-us'>Farms to Feed Us</a>&apos;, a project to put farms selling direct onto a publicly-available database. Since launching on April 4, the database has had more than 260 farms added and over 8,000 views. </p><p><br/></p><p><a href='https://fenfarmdairy.co.uk/'>Jonny Crickmore</a>, a dairy farmer near Bungay, in Suffolk, sells his Baron Bigod cheese all over the UK from delis to restaurants and even Harrods. Jonny tells the story of an initial plunge in sales where he had to furlough his staff and consider dumping his cheese. Since then though, things have turned a corner and he&apos;s been selling more cheese on lockdown than at Christmas time. </p><p><br/></p><p><a href='https://flower-farm.co.uk/'>Patrick Deeley</a>, is a mixed farmer near Godstone in Surrey with multiple enterprises, including a farm shop, butchers, tearoom and Surrey&apos;s largest annual summer beer festival. Patrick&apos;s shop saw a ten-fold increase in sales from panic-buying customers before he decided to shut it and move online. He talks about the opportunity farming has right now to connect with consumers and how he hopes his festival will go ahead and give everyone some hope and joy. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Coronavirus: farm payments, agri-tourism and Brexit

<p>When the Government announced its unprecedented lockdown measures, restricting people’s movement and closing businesses, many farm diversification businesses were forced to shut their doors. To see how farmers are coping, Abi Kay speaks to North Yorkshire B&amp;B owner <a href='http://scaifehallfarm.co.uk/'>Christine Ryder</a>. <a href='https://www.saffery.com/our-people/martyn-dobinson'>Martyn Dobinson</a>, partner at accountants Saffery Champness, gives us the low down on the Government support available to help rural businesses to stay afloat.</p><p>With Coronavirus prompting the extension of deadlines for BPS and Countryside Stewardship applications, we ask if farm payments are likely to also be delayed, when the window opens in December. Looking ahead beyond the pandemic, we question if the crisis will also force the Government to delay the Brexit transition period, to allow businesses to get back on their feet before direct payments are phased out. We speak to ex civil servant and head of policy and advice at the CLA, <a href='https://www.cla.org.uk/advice/adviser/judicaelle-hammond'>Judicaelle Hammond</a>.<br/><br/></p><p>A video of three-year-old Barley Brook Sellar showing her Border Leicester ewe Ethel at the first Online Agricultural Show has caused an internet storm. Barley was showing her sheep as part of young handlers class for children under eight years old at her family home in Norfolk. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Coronavirus: recruiting the food army

<p>This week on <b><em>Over The Farm Gate</em></b>, we&apos;re talking labour. Growers across the UK face serious challenges to keep the nation fed, whilst balancing training an influx of British workers when social distancing.</p><p>We speak to farmers at the forefront of the recruitment crisis and find out how they’re working to address the shortfall in the workforce, plus we hear about the extraordinary journeys some workers are taking to get here. Thanks to James Porter of <a href='https://www.angusgrowers.co.uk/farm/w-h-porter/https://www.angusgrowers.co.uk/farm/w-h-porter/'>East Scryne Farm</a>, Chair of NFU Scotland Horticulture committee and Mark Bowyer, <a href='https://www.wealmoor.co.uk/herbfresh'>Herbfresh and Wealmoor</a> for sharing their stories.  <br/><br/>Sixth generation farmer, Katie Willey, 17, is on a mission to educate the public about where their food comes from and her <a href='https://www.facebook.com/fightingforfuturefarmers/'>social media campaign</a> is already gaining support from the wider industry. She tells us why she started the initiative and how she’s hoping to make an impact. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Coronavirus: getting food from field to fork

<p>This week on Over The Farm Gate we&apos;re talking food, We&apos;re discussing how the red meat industry is affected by and dealing with Coronavirus, getting British produce from field to fork. <a href='https://ahdb.org.uk/'>AHDB</a> and <a href='https://www.qmscotland.co.uk/'>Quality Meat Scotland</a> Analysts Duncan Wyatt and Stuart Ashworth tell us about the current red meat market dynamics, and how the industry is trying to counter the drop in beef prices.</p><p><a href='https://britishmeatindustry.org/'>British Meat Processors Association</a> boss Nick Allen talks about the challenges faced in the processing sector, and measures factories have introduced to ensure they observe social distancing.</p><p>Farmer and <a href='https://www.nationalbeefassociation.com/'>National Beef Association</a> trustee Neil Shand touches on the issue of beef imports and the importance of working with retailers at such a critical time. Also on the table is food security - the physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. What will be the impact and implications of the current pandemic on our food security and resilience of our future food systems?</p><p><a href='https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/christopher-elliott'>Prof Chris Elliot</a>, Director of the <a href='https://www.qub.ac.uk/Research/GRI/TheInstituteforGlobalFoodSecurity/'>Institute for Global Food Security</a>, at Queens University, Belfast, talks about how the Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of UK food security and what this tells us about how things need to change. <br/><br/>We also ask <a href='https://www.cla.org.uk/advice/adviser/susan-twining'>Susan Twining</a>, the <a href='https://www.cla.org.uk/'>CLA</a>’s Chief Land Use Policy Adviser, what this means for the upcoming Agriculture Bill and its focus on land use and the environment. With many positive examples demonstrating how the farming community rallying together, we speak to two young farmers who herded their sheep to spell out &apos;NHS&apos;, in their own special tribute to key health workers on the front line.</p><p>You can now listen and subscribe on <a href='https://open.spotify.com/show/6SVrW9BuuyNLgUxTyuCe2Z'>Spotify</a>, <a href='https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5hY2FzdC5jb20vcHVibGljL3Nob3dzLzVlOTA3MDI4NTUyNmRhNWExYmZkNzY1NA'>Google</a> and <a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/over-the-farm-gate/id1508553337'>Apple</a> so you never miss an episode.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Coronavirus: Staff shortages and the Dairy crisis

<p>Welcome to the very first episode of Over The Farm Gate! Now more than ever it is the time for agriculture to be heard, so we&apos;re kicking off with a series of Coronavirus specials - digging deeper into the main issues affecting agriculture.<br/><br/>This week, we&apos;re joined by CLA President Mark Bridgeman. Mark talks about the Government’s decision to allow furloughed workers to work on UK farms, how the loss of migrant workers is affecting operations up and down the country, and why the sector needs to work harder to sell itself as a vibrant, forward thinking industry, with innovation and technology at its core. Coronavirus has brought turmoil to the global dairy markets, forcing businesses to make some very difficult decisions. We hear candidly from Llyr Griffiths, who was forced to take the heart-breaking decision to dump his milk. Looking ahead, Dairy market analyst  Chris Walkland, gives his thoughts on where producers and processors go from here.<br/><br/>With the rainbow becoming a symbol of support for people wanting to show solidarity with NHS workers, one farmer and her daughter have made their own striking tribute<br/><br/>This podcast is brought to you by Farmers Guardian, in association with the <a href='https://www.cla.org.uk/'>CLA</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>