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,

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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'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.

To watch the full video visit: https://youtu.be/OMNA0r7H36E?si=AVhpSb8il-g55LKL

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September 24 marked the start of British Wool Week, and in this week'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'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.

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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.

https://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/british-food-fortnight-2023

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 

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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.

Go check out Cammy on:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSheepGame
https://thesheepgame.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/TheSheepGameVlog/

For those interested in the Future Farming Expo 2023, 10 - 11 October 2023 at P&J Live in Aberdeen
Register for your free ticket here:
https://www.futurefarmingexpo.com/ 

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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'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's crop prospects and their optimism for the future.

See for yourself at www.ridgeview.co.uk

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