Grow the future

In this sixteenth episode of 2025, we welcome new contributor Joe Kidd who is the YaraVita Project Manager to discuss the new production plant. Joe's here to give us the inside scoop on the new YaraVita Production Plant, set to open next year. The conversation starts with why the company decided to move from its longtime Pocklington site to the new location in Howden. Joe also dives into the current project timelines, the challenges they're facing, and how they're navigating it all. 

Joe will also take us on a journey through his career at Yara, from his start as an apprentice all the way to helping design this brand new plant. Finally, we'll get a glimpse into the future, with a look at what's in store for both the old Pocklington site and the new Howden facility as we head into 2026.

In this fifteenth episode of 2025, we welcome Mark Tucker, Partnership and Value Chain Manager, to discuss the critical importance of soil testing. The conversation will cover the initial steps for farmers in assessing their fields through soil sampling, an analysis of current phosphorus and potassium levels nationwide, and a look at the evolution of modern farming systems. Mark will also detail the comprehensive analytical services provided by Yara, including supplementary services such as leaf analysis and an overview for farmers to prioritize soil sampling.

In the fourteenth episode of 2025, Ken Rundle chats with Yara UK's Value Chain Partnership Account Manager Gareth Flockhart about sustainability in farming, driven by strategic partnerships. They dive into current projects focused on cutting food chain emissions, share the latest results from year one's data on the reduction of Carbon Footprint for Pepisco in the UK, and discuss what's next for farmers, including useful tools for data collection like soil sampling. Plus, current updates on blue nitrogen and why adapting to change will be crucial for the future.

In the thirteenth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara’s Area Manager based in Ireland John Hegarty regarding the foliar fertiliser product Croplift Pro. The discussion starts with an overview of foliar fertilisers, the nutrients within the product, recommended crops including the use on grassland and Yara’s future investments regarding the new global production plant for specialty crop nutrition products and biostimulants.

In the twelfth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara’s Grassland Specialist Philip Cosgrave regarding the current mid-season. The conversation starts with Philip giving an overview of grass growth and quality, advice on nutrition for grass over the next few months including Yara product recommendations, farmers reviewing current nutrient plans, the growth of clover compared to last year and recommendations for farmers regarding silage and paddocks. 

In the eleventh podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara’s YaraVita and Biologicals Product Manager Natalie Wood regarding planning to purchase fertiliser next year. Within this discussion Natalie gives an overview on some of the common mistakes when it comes to ordering fertiliser, how Sulphur is important for crop growth, product recommendations including YaraBela Axan and YaraMila Extragrass, additional options including liquid fertilisers, the importance of efficiency to get the most out of all the crops and recommendations for farmers when it comes to purchasing fertiliser for the new year.

In the tenth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara Crop Nutrition Business Manager for South West England Nigel Hester regarding  YaraVera Amidas. In this discussion Nigel gives an overview of the product, the changes regarding urea-based fertilisers in England for farmers, the importance of sulphur, soil analysis and other recommendations for the season. 

In the eighth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Crop Nutrition Agronomist Joe Blanche regarding Yara’s Crop Nutrition Hubs across the UK and Ireland. In this discussion Joe gives an overview about the current hubs, current challenges, topics which are covered at the hubs including, how farmers can attend, and the partners Yara are collaborating with at each hub. 

In the seventh podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Grassland Agronomist for Yara UK and Ireland Philip Cosgrave regarding Grass Rotations. In this discussion Philip gives an overview on the current grass growth rates, the importance within your plan for grass growth, how soil analysis can help farmers to know if any nutrients are low and recommendations for the season regarding managing grass. 

In the sixth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to the Director of Biostimulants for Yara Antonis Angeletakis regarding the YaraAmplix range. In this discussion Antonis gives an overview of Biostimulants including the history, the role of Biostimulants can provide to farmers, the yield potential and advantages by including Biostimulants within your crop programme.