Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. 

Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. 

About Ben and  RuralPod Media

Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk 

If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. 

Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. 

Follow us on social media

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Jake Freestone, farm manager at Overbury Farms, discusses the history and operations of the farm, as well as his journey in agriculture. Overbury Farms is a diverse estate and farming business that follows regenerative farming principles. Jake emphasizes the importance of investing in the next generation of farmers and the challenges of finding and retaining good people. He also talks about his Nuffield scholarship on breaking the wheat yield plateau in the UK and the role of soil health in increasing yields and improving the environmental profile of the farm. Jake emphasizes the importance of investing in soil health and improving soil function through practices like cover cropping and returning crop residue. He discusses the need to keep fields covered and graze cover crops with livestock to enhance soil health and resilience. Jake also highlights the work of the Green Farm Collective in promoting regenerative agriculture and ensuring fair value for farmers. He emphasizes the importance of effective communication to combat misinformation and educate the public about farming practices. Jake shares his optimism for the future, acknowledging the challenges ahead but also the opportunities for growth and adaptation.

Takeaways

• Overbury Farms is a diverse estate and farming business that follows regenerative farming principles.
• Investing in the next generation of farmers is crucial for the future of agriculture.
• Improving soil health is key to increasing yields and improving the environmental profile of the farm.
• Finding and retaining good people is a challenge in the current labor market.
• Jake's Nuffield scholarship focused on breaking the wheat yield plateau in the UK. Investing in soil health is crucial for improving soil function and resilience.
• Keeping fields covered and grazing cover crops with livestock enhances soil health.
• The Green Farm Collective promotes regenerative agriculture and fair value for farmers.
• Effective communication is essential to combat misinformation and educate the public about farming practices.
• The future presents both challenges and opportunities for growth and adaptation in agriculture.

Image credit: Jake Freestone

Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. 

Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. 

About Ben and  RuralPod Media

Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk 

If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. 

Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. 

Follow us on social media

Instagram @mtf_podcast

Twitter @mtf_podcast

Watch us on Youtube here

Rory Christie, a dairy, pigs, and beef farmer from Dumfries and Galloway, shares the history and evolution of his family farm. They have a 200-sow pig business and an 1100-cow dairy enterprise. Rory discusses the use of genetic testing, AI, and embryo transfer to improve the health and performance of their herd. He also talks about his involvement in the Milk Suppliers Association, a dairy co-op that supplies milk to the creamery at Stranraer. Rory emphasizes the importance of paying farmers for the environmental goods they provide and the challenges of labor shortage and compliance in the industry.

Takeaways

• Rory Christie's family farm in Dumfries and Galloway has a 200-sow pig business and an 1100-cow dairy enterprise.
• They use genetic testing, AI, and embryo transfer to improve the health and performance of their herd.
• Rory is involved in the Milk Suppliers Association, a dairy co-op that supplies milk to the creamery at Stranraer.
• He emphasizes the importance of paying farmers for the environmental goods they provide and highlights the challenges of labor shortage and compliance in the industry.

Image credit: Rory Christie

Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. 

Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. 

About Ben and  RuralPod Media

Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk 

If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. 

Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. 

Follow us on social media

Instagram @mtf_podcast

Twitter @mtf_podcast

Watch us on Youtube here

Will Oliver, a fourth-generation arable and poultry farmer, discusses his farm in Leicestershire and the challenges and diversifications he has undertaken. The farm grows wheat, maize, and winter beans, and also has a poultry enterprise with 175,000 chickens. Will emphasizes the importance of efficiency, risk-taking, and diversification in running a successful farm. He talks about the benefits of integrating arable and poultry farming, including utilizing manure and growing feed crops. Will also discusses the challenges of growing affordable food, navigating through bird flu pandemics, and managing costs and margins in the poultry industry. He highlights the importance of biosecurity and the welfare of the birds. Will shares his passion for arable farming and the regenerative practices they are implementing. He also touches on the history of the farm, the impact of climate change, and the challenges of labour and rising interest rates. Will Oliver, an arable farmer and owner of Dandelion Hideaway, discusses his involvement in agricultural boards and the importance of influencing policy. He also talks about his glamping enterprise and the value of getting people on the farm. Will shares his approach to diversification and the need for sustainability in farming. He emphasizes the importance of cost of production and profitability, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Will's message to the public is to buy local and support farm shops, while his message to fellow farmers is to share their stories.

Takeaways

• Efficiency, risk-taking, and diversification are key to running a successful farm.
• Integrating arable and poultry farming can have benefits such as utilizing manure and growing feed crops.
• Growing affordable food while maintaining high welfare standards is a challenge in the poultry industry.
• Biosecurity is of utmost importance in poultry farming to prevent disease outbreaks.
• Regenerative farming practices can help improve soil health and sustainability.
• The history of the farm and the impact of climate change are factors to consider in farming.
• Labor and rising interest rates are challenges faced by farmers. Involvement in agricultural boards allows farmers to influence policy and have an impact on the sector.
• Diversification, such as glamping, can provide additional income and opportunities to engage with the public.
• Sustainability in farming involves protecting the land for future generations and making the best use of resources.
• Cost of production and profitability are crucial considerations for a sustainable farm business.
• Buying local and supporting farm shops is important for the survival of these businesses.
• Farmers should share their stories to increase understanding and appreciation of agriculture.

Image credit: Will Oliver

Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. 

Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. 

About Ben and  RuralPod Media

Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk 

If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. 

Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. 

Follow us on social media

Instagram @mtf_podcast

Twitter @mtf_podcast

Watch us on Youtube here

Image credit: Kirsty and Aimee Budge

Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. 

Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. 

About Ben and  RuralPod Media

Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk 

If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. 

Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. 

Follow us on social media

Instagram @mtf_podcast

Twitter @mtf_podcast

Watch us on Youtube here

Image credit: Rupert Shinner

Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. 

Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. 

About Ben and  RuralPod Media

Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk 

If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. 

Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. 

Follow us on social media

Instagram @mtf_podcast

Twitter @mtf_podcast

Watch us on Youtube here

Image credit: Francesca Cooper

Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. 

Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. 

About Ben and  RuralPod Media

Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk 

If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. 

Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. 

Follow us on social media

Instagram @mtf_podcast

Twitter @mtf_podcast

Watch us on Youtube here

Image credit: Lauren Johnson

Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. 

Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. 

About Ben and  RuralPod Media

Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk 

If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. 

Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. 

Follow us on social media

Instagram @mtf_podcast

Twitter @mtf_podcast

Watch us on Youtube here

Huge thanks to the Cultivate team for allowing us to record at the event.

Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. 

Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. 

About Ben and  RuralPod Media

Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk 

If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. 

Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. 

Follow us on social media

Instagram @mtf_podcast

Twitter @mtf_podcast

Watch us on Youtube here

Image credit: Avery Wrigglesworth

Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. 

Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. 

About Ben and  RuralPod Media

Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk 

If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. 

Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. 

Follow us on social media

Instagram @mtf_podcast

Twitter @mtf_podcast

Watch us on Youtube here