This time Robert Morrison, Head of Farms, UK Agri-Tech Centre and Mike Jones, Dairy Technical Manager, UK Agri-Tech Centre join the team.

Like usual we start with both their backgrounds, to get them to where they are today with UK Agri-Tech Centre.

It's been a year since we visited the South West Dairy Development Centre (SWDDC) with Mike, and so we have a little catch up with how the herd is now doing, but it's also been a year since UK Agri-Tech Centre was formed when three agri-tech centres merged to form one single entity.

A lot has happened in that time with the SWDDC continuing to help develop new technology for the UK dairy industry. It has also received many overseas visitors at its facilities, with its opportunities for innovation having become the envy of the world, with countries looking to duplicate its model, to be able to do the same in their own countries.

This was recorded in April 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at [email protected]

This time Neil Adams, former Managing Director, Promar International, joins the team.

Like usual we start with Neil's background from a small dairy farm in Shropshire, to (now retired) Managing Director of Promar International.

Then we move on to today's subject of Pursuing Wealth.

We discuss what is wealth? Is it money in the bank? Is it time with your family? Or being happy in what you do?

This was recorded in October 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at [email protected]

This time Jade Toone, Key Account Manager, Buitelaar Group and Jessica Tomley, Buying Manager Livestock, Elite Beef join the team.

Like usual we start with both their backgrounds to get them to where they are today with Buitelaar Group & Elite Beef.

Then we move on to today's subject of Elite Beef.

 Elite Beef is an integrated beef scheme set up in partnership between Buitelaar Group and Myton Food Group to source and supply beef into Morrisons supermarkets. 

Buitelaar Group source and rear the calves, before going to Elite Beef Scheme members, where the animals are grown and finished ready for slaughter and then sale, and consumption, from Morrisons Supermarkets.

We discuss some of the different schemes available, and what different options there are to differentiate, like Shorthorn Beef.

This was recorded in August 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at [email protected]

This time Eric Dorr, Founder, Silage Consulting International joins the team.

Like usual we start with Eric's background, having been in the industry and worked for several companies that are household names within the industry, including Lallemand Animal Nutrition & Chr. Hansen Animal Health. Eric was also the original importer of Silostop into North America before founding his own business Silage Consulting International in 2023.

Then we move on to today's subject of Optimising Silage Production.

We discuss the problems, and therefore solutions, for good silage production worldwide, and talk about the basics of getting it right!

Should you use an additive, what about using an oxygen barrier sheet? It doesn't seem to matter where you are in the world the problems seem to be just the same!

This was recorded in February 2025 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at [email protected]

This time Ollie Simons, Crew Manager, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service joins the team.

Like usual we start with Ollie's background, on the periphery of agriculture before joining Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service to be where he is today.

Then we move on to today's subject of fire & rescue!

While we have an expectation of Ollie & his colleagues to deliver a service when we need them, we discuss with Ollie what we can do, to make their life easier & safer when we do need to call them.

From using what3words (w3w), to having an evacuation plan in the event of fire, to calling the vet for when they are needed to rescue livestock from some of the more extreme places livestock get themselves into!

This was recorded in July 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at [email protected]

This time Sarah Tomlinson, Technical Director, TB Advisory Service (TBAS), joins the team for an episode of the podcast.

Like usual we start with Sarah's background, graduating as a farm vet to where she is today with TBAS.

Then we discuss the history of TB, and how you used to be rewarded for the voluntarily testing your herd!

We discuss the different skin tests, and why we use the one we do here in the UK, before moving on to discuss the Gamma Test and what this brings for TB detection.

Throughout the podcast we try and dispel some of the rumours and myths about TB while offering some sound practical advise.

Additional Help and Resources

For more information on Bovine TB, please see the below links to associated websites:

• TBAS: https://www.tbas.org.uk/ 
• TB Hub: https://tbhub.co.uk/
• TB Free England: https://www.tbfreeengland.co.uk/
• ibTB: https://www.ibtb.co.uk/
• Defra TB website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bovine-tb
• Animal & Plant Health Agency, Recent TB Instruction Updates: http://apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/TB/index.htm 
• Official Veterinarian (OV) Conference: https://officialvet.com

Help & Support

If you, or any of the farm team, are concerned about how dealing with bTB is impacting your mental health, help is available via several organisations including R.A.B.I, Yellow Wellies, FCN and YANA

– You are not alone. For help, support, additional information or for someone to just have a chat with please visit the links below:

• Online mental wellbeing service – RABI: www.rabi.org.uk/how-we-help/mental-wellbeing 
• www.farmwell.org.uk 
• Mind Your Head – YellowWellies.org: www.yellowwellies.org/mind-your-head 
• YANA: You Are Not Alone – Rural Mental Health Support: www.yanahelp.org 
• www.fcn.org.uk 
• www.thefarminglifecentre.org.uk

This was recorded in February 2025 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at [email protected]

This time the team are joined by Gabby Emery, Customer Success Manager, HerdVision.

Like usual we start with Gabby's background, from growing up on a farm in Somerset, to where she is today with HerdVision before we move on to today's topic of HerdVision.

Listen as we discuss how HerdVision went from a proof of concept to be developed into the commercial product it is today.

We talk about it's ability to measure body condition score (BCS) and mobility every time an animal walks under the camera, and measures changes in BCS far more accurately than the human eye.

We discuss what measuring these changes can mean on farm, to you, and three outcomes from the all the data already showing what can be affecting the fertility of your herd.

This was recorded in July 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at [email protected]

This time the team are joined by Kathryn Rowland, Senior Farm Services Manager, Kingshay Farming & Conservation Ltd.

Like usual we start with Kathryn's background, from a dairy farm in West Dorset, to where she is today with Kingshay before we move on to today's topic of the Antimicrobial Focus Report.

We take a look at different aspects and discuss the trends of the report, and look at how while the use of antimicrobials on farm is down, the overall health of the herds in the report has not suffered as a consequence.

We take a look at some of the drugs having the biggest impact on the report, regional variations, herd level comparisons and how there is no correlation between antimicrobial usage and calving pattern, milking frequency, housing period or breed.

Along the way we discuss how the results are a "good news" story for the industry and how this needs to be shared with the wider audience.

Download your copy of the report, for free, from the Kingshay website: Dairy Antimicrobial Focus Report 2024 - Shop - Kingshay 

This was recorded in January 2025 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at [email protected]

This time the team are joined by Claire Winson, Head of Animal & Environmental Sciences and George Stickly, Farm Manager of Rodway Farm, from Bridgewater & Taunton College - Cannington Campus.

Like usual we start with both Claire & George's backgrounds, before we move on to today's topic of Educational Opportunities in Agriculture.

We discuss the different education options available to students, from Level 1 all the way to Level 6, depending on previous experience & qualifications, how teaching has changed in the last thirty years, to the support students can get when at the college.

We then take a brief tour of the farm and discuss some of the facilities and projects happening, on the farm.

For more details, and to register for their upcoming open day (25th January 2025), please visit Bridgwater & Taunton College

This was recorded in November 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at [email protected]

This time the team are joined by Paul Harris, Founder & CEO of Real Success Ltd.

Like usual we start with Paul's background, which was outside the agricultural industry, how he began Real Success and then how he became involved with agriculture to the role he plays within it today.

Then we move on to the main topic of today's episode, People Management.

We discuss the challenges we face today as an industry for recruiting, and then retaining staff, and sometimes how the most basic things can make a difference.

Along the way we discuss little ideas and tips that can help you become an employer of choice.

This was recorded in September 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at [email protected]