The Farmers Guardian Podcast

Christmas with the Red Shepherdess

<p>Hannah Jackson AKA the Red Shepherdess has always been at the forefront, championing farming and all those who work in it. Seven months ago life changed, and Hannah and husband Danny welcomed baby Blake. In this Farmers Guardian Christmas special, online editor Emily Ashworth visits Hannah to talk all about her new role as a mother and the growing farm. And, of course, Hannah&apos;s love of the festive season.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

A view from Agritechnica and look ahead to LAMMA

<p>Farmers Guardian machinery editor Toby Whatley and Agriconnect publisher Ben Briggs report from the German tractor and farm machinery show Agritechnica, which took place in November. Discussing the machinery market, this is a timely look ahead to LAMMA Show, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, on January 17-18, 2024.<br/><br/></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Female butcher finds her dream career in butchery

<p>Justine Fulton who is better known as &apos;Rack of Glam&apos; on social media, is pretty new to the butchery industry. Having entered as a novice, she has worked her way up and has found her dream career. In this episode she talks about challenging stereotypes, skills and the need to support local businesses like your butchers in order for them to thrive.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Social media chef Poppy O&#39;Toole aka &#39;The Potato Queen&#39;

<p>Michelin-trained chef Poppy O&apos;Toole known as &apos;The Potato Queen&apos; has become a Tik Tok sensation sharing her absolute love for the humble potato. She gave her top tips for making the best roast potato for your Christmas dinner and explained why she is passionate about supporting farmers and British grown produce, and why buying local and supporting British farmers is so important. And from one Potato Queen to our very own potato king, we also speak to FG&apos;s Cedric Porter to find out what is going on in the potato market right now and how growers are feeling about the year ahead.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

The Wool Library: Putting British wool at the heart of the fashion industry

<p>In this Farmers Guardian podcast, livestock reporter, Katie Fallon talks to the founders of The Wool Library, John Atkinson, Maria Benjamin and Zoe Fletcher about their aspirations to champion British wool within the UK&apos;s fashion industry. With a mixture of farming, art and fashion backgrounds John, Maria and Zoe have joined forces to try and create more opportunities for British sheep farmers and their wool products, by developing a greater understanding and awareness of the value of British wool products, within the UK&apos;s fashion industry. We hear their story about setting up The Wool Library, what they hope to achieve through the initiative, and how they hope to further support our Great British sheep farmers.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Remembrance Day special: How one World War II evacuee found a lifetime of happiness on the farm

<p>On September 3, 1939, Great Britain declared war against Germany. A day in British history which will never be forgotten, and a day which changed the life of one little girl from Sunderland. In this Remembrance Day special podcast, our livestock reporter Katie Fallon, sits down with her grandmother, Norma Earnshaw, to reminisce on her childhood during the war and how her experiences as an evacuee went onto shape the course of her life. Now age 89, Norma reflects on the role the Second World War played in leading her to a life on the farm, which became not only a job, but a way of life.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Muller&#39;s chief executive, Rob Hutchison

<p>UK dairy industry is going through an unsettling period. The environment for UK dairy farmers is changing at a rapid pase with increased investment demands from regulation and a noticeable decline in sector confidence, it is why Muller’s chief executive says milk output can &apos;no longer be taken for granted&apos; and why they are closely monitoring future supply. Our chief reporter Rachael Brown sat down with Rob Hutchison to talk about Muller’s sustainability plan going forward, export markets and the need to ensure new entrants in the dairy sector are here to stay.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Diversification - what are your options and how can you make a success of it?

<p>In this Farmers Guardian podcast, features editor Emily Ashworth talks to Anna from Canalside Farm in Staffordshire about the family farm&apos;s diversification. For over 40 years, the family have built their various award-winning businesses up which include a farm shop, café and PYO experiences. We also speak to Brian Richardson, head of agriculture at Virgin Money, who gives us his top tips on finance and money, and talks about diversification trends.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

British Pasture Leather: From field to fashion

<p>Highlighting the journey from the heart of the countryside to the fashion world, British Pasture Leather founders Alice Robinson and Sara Grady talk to Farmers Guardian about their passion for sustainably produced leather from regenerative farms.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

British Farming Awards: Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture award winner, George Dunn

<p>British Farming Awards is all about celebrating the very best of British Agriculture. The most prestigious award of the night is &apos;Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture&apos; sponsored by NSF. <br/><br/>This year&apos;s winner was chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, George Dunn, in recognition of his 27 years of tireless campaign work representing and giving a voice to tenant farmers. <br/><br/>George may have met countless Prime Ministers and even the King, but he said the pinnacle of his job is the tenant farmers who instil trust in him to represent them and support them. He said the sector is facing multiple challenges right now but feels optimistic that now more than ever tenants are being recognised in the formation of policies for the incredible contribution they make to British agriculture</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

AHDB levy rises: Sector Council chairs on the proposed increases

<p>With AHDB announcing a proposed increase in levy rates from 2024, (https://www.farmersguardian.com/news/4131411/ahdb-launches-campaign-raise-levies) Alex Black sat down with the Cereals and Oilseeds, Beef and Lamb, Pork and Dairy sector chairs to hear the reasoning behind the increases and how their plans to deliver for farming through the levy body,</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Helen Rebanks: Farming, food, family and her new book, The Farmer&#39;s Wife

<p>Helen Rebanks is probably one of the most well-known farming women in the industry. Farming alongside her husband, James, both have a passion for farming hand-in-hand with nature. With over 25,000 followers on Instagram, her life out in the hills in the Lake District has become something of a fascination to people and, in her new book, The Farmer&apos;s Wife, Emily Ashworth sits down with Helen in her farmhouse near Penrith, to talk about farming, food and family. We also talk about the value of the more traditional roles in society - as Helen says, work inside the home is as important as the work outside.<br/><br/>To watch the full video visit: https://youtu.be/OMNA0r7H36E?si=AVhpSb8il-g55LKL</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Women in wool: Meet two women making a success of the wool businesses

<p>September 24 marked the start of British Wool Week, and in this week&apos;s Farmers Guardian episode Emily Ashworth speaks to Sophie from a wool based bedding company called Floks, and Sarah who owns Little Beau Sheep, a unique wool-based body and laundry business. With sustainability at the forefront of everyone&apos;s minds, it is the perfect time to shine a light on the British wool industry and champion the history and heritage of UK sheep farmers.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

British Food Fortnight: The campaign that puts British food and farmers in the spotlight

<p>Over 20 years ago Alexia Robinson established the campaign, Love British Food. It was in response to the horror of foot and mouth, and a way to give British farmers the incentive to carry on. Now, 22 years on, the campaign is stronger than ever, and Alexia has managed to forge relationships with key areas of society such as care homes, caterers, prisons and most notably the NHS. The campaign spearheads the movement to get people closer to the supply chain and, hopefully, help tell the story of how food links us all.<br/><br/>https://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/british-food-fortnight-2023</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Two friends start farming business from scratch on the Isle of Wight

<p>Childhood friends Francesca Cooper and Hollie Fallick have come full circle and have ended up back on the Isle of Wight where they grew up. This time around though, they are farming. Both have always been passionate about the land, and their new business, Nunwell Home Farm, encompasses everything they believe in, which is producing highly nutritious food while focusing on regenerating the land. They also have experience in all the pitfalls new entrant farmers face, and have some good advice on how to apply for tenancies and working positively with land owners.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Remembering Tomos Bunford: Mum speaks 2 years on from son&#39;s death on farm

<p>September 6 2021 was supposed to be just another day in the life of nine-year-old boy from Blaenllechau in the Rhondda. Tomos Bunford was excited about going back to school and beginning a new term with his friends. The summer holidays were drawing to a close. He had been playing on his bike on the family farm as well as playing with a new toy his parents had bought for him. Having loved to get involved on the farm, Tomos would do anything to help his family because he was a kind little boy. One of the first tasks on the farm was to transport a water bowser to grazing cattle on the South Wales farm. Tomos’ dad Rhys, his mum Louise, older brother Gethin and baby sister Clemmie got in the family pick-up truck to undertake the task. However, a family outing turned into a nightmare when they began to feel the truck and the bowser sliding down the field. A close-knit family would have their entire lives turned upside within an instant. This is the story of a heartbroken mother who has very bravely spoken about the incident two years since it happened, life without her beloved son, how his memory will always be with her, and how she hopes the incident will make others reconsider the importance of keeping safe on the farm.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Shadow Environment Minister Daniel Zeichner answers farmers questions on Right to Roam policy

<p>The Labour party have been clear they want to give more access for people in the countryside if they came into power at the next general election. But Right to Roam has raised concerns for farmers, with some going as far as saying the policy would be a determining factor on the ballot paper. The Shadow Environment Minister, Daniel Zeichner travelled to the Peak District to hear concerns raised by farmers and to explain how he sees the policy working with the farming community, not against them.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

First import of ovine embryos into the US from the UK

<p>The first UK sheep embryos have been imported to the United States. This is the first of what is hoped to be a regular trade in ovine genetics. Our reporter John Wilkes based in Washington gives his analysis on what this means for the global sheep market </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

The Sheep Game: YouTube farmer on social media rise

<p>Ahead of the Future Farming Expo Scotland, Youtube farmer Cammy Wilson speaks to Alex Black about becoming a sheep farmer after spending time working for the police and how he built his following on social media making videos showing real farming experiences from shearing to visiting the auction mart.<br/><br/>Go check out Cammy on:<br/>https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSheepGame<br/>https://thesheepgame.co.uk/<br/>https://www.facebook.com/TheSheepGameVlog/<br/><br/>For those interested in the Future Farming Expo 2023, 10 - 11 October 2023 at P&amp;J Live in Aberdeen<br/>Register for your free ticket here:<br/>https://www.futurefarmingexpo.com/ </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

English wine: Ridgeview wine on a growing industry

<p>With English wine growing in popularity, Alex Black spoke to Tamara Roberts and Matt Strugnell from Ridgeview wine. When setting up the vineyard nearly 30 years ago, people were cynical of the potential of English viticulture. Tamara&apos;s parents Matt and Chris Roberts, however, recognised the similarities between the South of England and the Champagne region of France. Tamara and Matt discuss what makes a good site for a vineyard, this year&apos;s crop prospects and their optimism for the future.<br/><br/>See for yourself at www.ridgeview.co.uk</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Blur bassist Alex James on his transition from rockstar to Cotswolds farmer

<p>Having lived a rock and roll lifestyle as a member of one of the world&apos;s most loved bands, Blur bassist Alex James spoke to Chris Brayford about his transition from city dweller to a country farmer.<br/><br/>The band, headed by Damon Albarn, released hit singles including &apos;Country House&apos; and &apos;Parklife&apos; as they clashed with Liam and Noel Gallagher&apos;s Oasis for chart dominance in the 1990s during what was christened the &apos;Battle of Britpop&apos;. After falling in love with his wife in the Cotswolds roughly 20 years ago, Alex has found his niche in producing fruit and vegetables as well as cheese for Morrisons and Britpop sparkling wine. He said the popularity of food and cooking programmes such as The Great British Bake Off had helped to stimulate the nation&apos;s interest in farming.<br/><br/> He also praised Jeremy Clarkson&apos;s impact on farming with Amazon Prime&apos;s Clarkson&apos;s Farm which had helped garner a wider appreciation for the industry, as well as the public&apos;s adoration for his co-star Kaleb Cooper. <br/><br/>Alex now calls Diddly Squat Farm&apos;s Jeremy Clarkson a neighbour on his 200 acre Chipping Norton farm which will host this year&apos;s Big Feastival - combining Alex&apos;s love of food, music, and good times. Listen to how Alex diversified his farm, organising a festival which is expected to welcome more than 30,000 people, Mitchelin star chefs, comedians and musicians such as Rick Astley, Tom Grennan, Blossoms and Sigird all headlining the three-day event during the August bank holiday. <br/><br/>And with Farm 24 2023 a huge success, the Farmers Guardian team look back at the event which garnered support from farmers and celebrities, including Radio 1&apos;s Greg James, Radio 2&apos;s Sara Cox, Countryfile&apos;s Adam Henson and JLS star JB Gill</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Royal Countryside Fund: How it truly helps farming communities

<p> After changing its name to The Royal Countryside Fund, Emily Ashworth speaks to Heather Hancock, chair of trustees for the charity, about the support it gives to those in the rural community, particularly family farms - and the continued support of His Majesty The King. We also hear from Demelza Fish-Jenkins, a Welsh farmer who took part in the fund&apos;s farm resilience programme. She credits the fund for &apos;changing her life&apos; and urges others to really look at their farm business to see how they can make it more resilient. <br/><br/>For more information go to: <a href='https://www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/'>https://www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Farm 24 special: Kelvin Fletcher on his new farming life

<p>In a special episode ahead of Farmers Guardian’s 24 hours in farming event, Alex Black spoke to actor turned farmer Kelvin Fletcher on why he swapped city life for a peak district farm and why he is supporting the Farm 24 campaign on August 3</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Building a career as a farm vet and a passion for dung beetles

<p>Coming from a non-farming background in Liverpool, Dr Claire Whittle is a farm vet, a Nuffield Scholar and a dung beetle enthusiast, who is passionate about regenerative agriculture and healthy ecosystems. Dr Whittle spoke to the Farmers Guardian team about becoming a vet, her career journey so far and her passion for cows as well as why dung beetles are so important for farming here in the UK and what farmers need to know about them. Dr Whittle is also a farm ambassador for Farmers Guardian’s upcoming Farm 24 event on August 3.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Farm Safety Week: Paralympian Sammi Kinghorn on the farm injury which changed her life

<p>On Farm Safety Week, Britain&apos;s fastest ever female wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn spoke about the life-changing injury she had on farm aged just 14 and building her sporting career. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Nigel Owens - Switching life on the rugby pitch to life on the farm

<p>Farmers Guardian’s chief reporter Rachael Brown sits down with former international rugby referee turned farmer, Nigel Owens, to talk about the challenges facing farmers right now, the threat of bovine TB in Wales and calls for &apos;honest and balanced discussions&apos; around wildlife. He also gives his prediction on who will win the Rugby World Cup. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Labour and organic: Review into workforce released and organic market trends

<p>With labour a massive issue for every sector of the farming industry, Alex Black speaks to John Shropshire at the launch of the Independent Review into Labour Shortages in the Food Supply Chain and OF&amp;G Chief exec Roger Kerr speaks to Rachael Brown on the opportunities for organic farming and the sector&apos;s ambition to secure 25% of the market.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Unlikely friendship: Kiran Sidhu on giving up her London life and moving to rural Wales

<p>Farmers Guardian’s chief reporter Rachael Brown sits down with author Kiran Sidhu to talk about how her unlikely friendship with sheep farmer inspired her new book ‘I can hear the cuckoo’. Finding herself in the Welsh countryside was not Kiran’s initial plan, but a chance encounter with a farmer and a passion for her new way of living has given her a new outlook on life.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

No return to cheap milk: Arla’s Graham Wilkinson discusses the market for dairy

<p>Farmers Guardian&apos;s Rachael Brown sat down with Arla&apos;s Global Vice President of Agriculture Graham Wilkinson to chat about trends in the global dairy market, the current economic climate for dairy farmers and the cost pressures on-farm, and how reverting back to cheap milk cannot be an option. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

British Farming Awards: Digital innovators

<p>Entries are open for the 2023 British Farming Awards. Alex Black spoke to last year&apos;s Digital category winners Ewan Irvine and Emma Gray their online dog training business which is reaching clients around the world from Scotland and the impact of winning the award.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>