Breed is critical to any livestock operation and an active breeding programme helps farmers to develop their herd around particular beneficial traits.

In the run up to the British Cattle Breeders Club conference this January, we've been taking an in-depth look at how the traits and characteristics needed for regenerative farming differ from mainstream cattle production.

We'll hear from three farmers with active on-farm breeding programmes - Sophie Wilson from Starveall Dairy - Silas Hedley Lawrence from FAI Farms - and Phyllis van Amburgh from Dharma Lea in the USA. We also hear from Rob Havard, who runs the breeding farm, Phepson Angus.

From 8point9.com

This week Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) are joined by Rob Havard from Phepson Angus.

Links to news stories discussed:

Up to £25,000 for farmers affected by flooding

Nuffield report investigates carbon farming and soil carbon markets

A whole-sector approach needed to create resilience in UK dairy sector

Over half of adults want UK farmers to prioritise nature-friendly farming

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8.9 TV: Regenerative beef breeding: Rob Havard, Phepson Angus

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Flexible approaches needed to bring new entrants into small farming businesses

New Toolkit will empower farmers to assess nature market opportunities

In Field, Fork, Fashion, Alice V Robinson takes readers on a journey into the afterlife of Bullock 374, to help people understand the origin story of leather and its intrinsic connection to food and farming.

ffinlo Costain is joined by Alice V Robinson - and by Sara Grady - who, with Alice, recently established British Pasture Leather, which sources and processes cattle hides from Pasture for Life farms for the UK fashion industry.

You can buy Field, Fork, Fashion here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781645021193

And visit British Pasture Leather here: https://britishpastureleather.com/

ffinlo Costain (8.9) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week’s land use news.

Tree equity map shows less affluent areas have lower tree cover

Commoning and pastoralism central to Dartmoor land management

British Sugar fails to deliver on 3 year plan to end use of banned neonicotinoids

OF&G white paper highlights benefits of 10% organic English farmed area

Patrick Holden, COP28, Reflections from the inside

AIIB proposes defining nature as infrastructure

Final consultation opens for Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme

Grass measuring reduces input costs by £20,000 for Welsh Dairy farmer

Sheep farmer trials peas and beans as soya alternative

Interviews with:

Lesley Lambert from the Sustainable Food Trust - in advance of COP28 - talking about the opportunities

Andrew Mahon from the Bromborough Estate Company on agroforestry

Amy Bateman, the photographer behind Forty Farms - and coffee table book and now a farm trail photography exhibition

Patrick Holden on COP28 - his reflections from the inside.

ffinlo Costain (8.9) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week's land use news.

Clash of world views:

Parliamentary push back against regen farming based on “outdated world view”

Green Alliance: Failure to support farmers to cut carbon could cost £100 billion by 2050

Cost of poor food policy:

Annual cost of UK obesity soars to £98 billion

Cost of living crisis results in lowest vegetable purchases for 50 years

COP28:

The Elders’ calls to action for COP28

Exploring the benefits of shade and shelter

Andrew Mahon, Bromborough Estate Company, Agroforestry

UK food basket at risk from extreme weather

Policy:

Welsh farming and environment groups call for rural budget to be maintained

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) chew over the week’s news.

News picks from our discussion:

Upland farms worse off under current ELMs offer

Farmers treating insects as “livestock” in trial to fight pests

More research and innovation needed to make insect farming a success

Virgin flies world’s first transatlantic “100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel flight”

Cargill’s commitment to ending deforestation in South America is an “important but incomplete step”

King Charles calls for investment in regenerative agriculture at opening of COP28

Nicole Pita, IPES Food, Cities lead on real food and climate action

Food loss and waste represent half of GHG emissions from food systems

African food system leaders say, “Put people, nature and livelihoods at forefront of climate action”

Three steps towards real action on food at COP28

Interviews with:

Nicole Pita from IPES Food (cities and regions leading the way on climate and food systems),

Xander Mahony from Tilhill (learning to love Sitka),

Jo White from Human Behaviour Change for Life (benefits of switching from a trade in live animals to a trade in meat),

And Dominic Elsworth from Whistlebare farm (Britain's wool trade).

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) chew over the week’s news.

SHORT PICKS

Adapting to climate change needs our "urgent, unswerving attention" says National Trust

Cities and regions lead the way on real food and climate action

Forestry leaders must improve public perception of Sitka

LONGER CONVERSATIONS

Buried Environment Agency report shows toxic sludge is being spread on UK farmland

Landmark ruling has far-reaching implications for UK’s polluted rivers

Conflict over land will increase unless global demand is reduced

Scientific censorship is often self-inflicted and it’s on the rise

POLICY

Efra Committee criticises incoherent approach to food policy across government