Tramlines

With farm incomes under increasing pressure, many businesses are looking beyond traditional agriculture to build resilience and secure their future. In this episode of Tramlines, host Tony Smith explores farm diversification with Guy Shelby of Shelby Farm in East Yorkshire and Billy Hosdell, Agrii Agronomist. From padel courts and equestrian facilities to alternative crops like flax, they discuss how farmers can create new income streams while staying true to their passion for farming. Along the way, they share practical advice on business planning, working with landlords, and identifying opportunities that fit individual farm businesses.

• Diversification is becoming essential for many farm businesses as traditional farming margins come under pressure, helping to support profitability and spread risk
• Strong relationships with landlords can unlock opportunities, with Guy highlighting how collaboration and presenting well-researched business cases helped secure support from the Crown Estate
• Successful diversification requires thorough planning, including professional advice, detailed budgets, cashflow forecasts, and marketing to ensure projects are commercially viable
• Innovation can extend to cropping choices, with the discussion exploring flax production in Yorkshire as a potential new enterprise, driven by changing climate conditions and emerging market opportunities

Soil is the foundation of every farming business, but are we giving it the attention it deserves? In this episode of Tramlines, host Tony Smith is joined by Agrii's Tom Perrott and Andrew Sincock from Agro-Vital to explore why soil should be considered a farm's most valuable asset. Together they discuss soil health, organic matter, practical ways to assess soil condition, and how small management changes can deliver long-term improvements in resilience, productivity, and profitability.

Podcast summary: 

• Soil is a farm's greatest asset, underpinning over 95% of food production and influencing the long-term success of every farming enterprise. 
• Organic matter is critical to soil health, improving structure, nutrient retention, biological activity, and long-term productivity. Historic Rothamsted trials show benefits can last for generations. 
• Start with the basics by assessing soil structure, drainage, porosity, pH, earthworm numbers, and biological activity before investing in solutions. 
• Every farm is different, so soil improvement strategies should be tailored to the farm's individual circumstances, resources, and business objectives. 
• Incremental improvements deliver lasting results. Farmers should set achievable goals, monitor progress, and focus on building resilience through better soil management and reduced reliance on external inputs.

In this episode of Tramlines, host Tony Smith is joined by Ben Hatton from TELUS and Agrii's Sam Fordham to explore the evolving role of farm management software. From compliance and record keeping to data integration, sustainability reporting and AI-ready decision making, they discuss how modern digital platforms are helping growers spend less time in the office and more time making informed decisions in the field. With agriculture facing increasing cost pressures, legislative change and rapid technological advancement, discover why clean, connected data is becoming one of the most valuable assets on the farm.

• Farm management software goes beyond compliance, helping farmers improve sustainability, profitability and business performance.
• Agriculture is moving from data collection to data action, using connected technology to support real-time decisions.
• Cloud-based platforms are driving adoption through mobile access, easier sharing and improved user experience.
• Quality data underpins future technologies, from AI and sensors to variable rate applications and sustainability reporting.
• TELUS and Agrii are helping future-proof farm businesses with integrated tools, expert support and simple migration pathways.

For more information visit Crop management software | TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods GB

In this episode of Tramlines, inspired by a conversation with our very own customer James Peck from PX Farms, we are joined by Agrii agronomist and technical advisor Craig Simpson to explore one of the most debated topics in arable farming: when is the right time to start drilling winter crops? With an early harvest tempting growers into the field, Craig examines the yield benefits of early September drilling alongside the increased risks from grass weeds, BYDV and disease pressure. Together, they discuss how farmers can balance risk and reward to maximise crop performance in an increasingly unpredictable climate.

Key Takeaways:

• Early drilling can boost yield potential through stronger establishment, greater tiller numbers and improved rooting, helping crops cope with dry spring conditions.
• Delaying drilling can significantly reduce grass weed pressures such as blackgrass and sterile brome, improving long-term weed control. 
• September-drilled crops face higher BYDV risk, with warmer conditions and increased aphid activity potentially adding further pressure this season. 
• Earlier drilling can increase disease risk, particularly septoria, as denser canopies allow disease to build more rapidly during wet seasons.
• The best approach is a planned, field-by-field strategy, considering weed burden, variety selection, disease resistance and local conditions before drilling begins. 

October drilling? Success starts with choosing the right seed for the right timing. Our full seed portfolio can be found in our Grower's Autumn Guide 2026. Click the link in the bio or click here.

https://www.agrii.co.uk/our-services/tools-resources/documents/

In this episode of Tramlines, we are joined by William Crookshank from the Environment Agency and Tom Land, Agrii's National Fertiliser Product Manager, to discuss nutrient use, compliance, and why effective nutrient management is essential for both environmental protection and farm profitability. The conversation explores nutrient planning, the management of organic manures, regulatory requirements, and practical steps farmers can take to improve nutrient efficiency while reducing pollution risk.

• Nutrient management plans are essential: Good nutrient management starts with a robust, regularly reviewed nutrient plan based on current soil analysis, helping farmers optimise inputs, improve efficiency, and meet regulatory requirements. 
• Poor nutrient management remains a challenge: The Environment Agency reports that around a third of farms visited lack a nutrient management plan, and a similar proportion do not have adequate soil sampling, increasing the risk of nutrient loss and non-compliance. 
• Organic manures should be treated as valuable resources, not waste: Testing and understanding the nutrient content of manures, slurries, and digestates allows farmers to maximise their value while avoiding excessive applications of nutrients such as phosphorus. 
• Timing and application matter: Applying organic nutrients when crops can actively use them reduces losses to air and water, improves nutrient use efficiency, and can deliver significant financial savings through reduced fertiliser purchases. 
• Technology and advice can improve outcomes: Soil testing, nutrient planning software, manure analysis, precision application equipment, and support from FACTS-qualified advisers can help farmers balance productivity, profitability, compliance, and environmental stewardship.

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In this episode of Tramlines, our host Tony Smith sits down with the team behind Sparsholt Manor Farm to explore their ongoing journey towards sustainable arable farming. Faced with severe black-grass pressure and rising input costs, farm manager Piers Cowling and Agrii experts Iain Richards and Ian Davy share how a long-term, integrated approach - combining direct drilling, soil health improvements, and smarter crop management - is transforming both productivity and profitability.

• Integrated black-grass control is essential
  High resistance levels mean success relies on a full system approach - delayed drilling, consistent cultivations, precise seed placement, and stacked residual chemistry.
• Direct drilling is driving efficiency gains
  Moving from multi-pass cultivations to predominantly direct drilling has reduced fuel use dramatically (from ~45L/ha to under 10L/ha) while maintaining crop performance.
• Soil health improvements are delivering real results
  Organic matter has increased from under 4% to nearly 7%, improving nutrient cycling, water retention, and enabling reduced fertiliser inputs.
• Input reduction is both economic and environmental
  Lower nitrogen, fewer pesticides, and reduced fungicide use are cutting costs while supporting more resilient crops and beneficial ecosystems.
• Variety choice and system thinking are critical
  Selecting varieties for vigour and disease resistance - rather than maximum yield alone - helps optimise performance in later drilling windows and challenging conditions.

To find out more on how Agrii can support your farm business, visit agrii.co.uk/sustainable-farming

You've got the data, so what?

Today we’re recording live from Cereals 2026 at Diddly Squat Farm. Agrii has just unveiled its vision for the Smart Connected Farm - a system designed to help farmers harness data, technology, and expert insight to improve decision-making and drive performance.

In this episode, Rachel Watling National Marketing Manager at Agrii takes you on a tour of the concept, exploring how people, research, seed, nutrition, and digital tools all connect to create a more profitable and resilient farming business.

Stations:

• Agronomy - Kathryn Styan
• R&D - Ruth Mann & Jonathan Trotter
• Seed - John Miles & Rob Stuart 
• Nutrition - Tom Land
• Digital - Ben Foster & Jonny Kerley 

Podcast summary:

• The Smart Connected Farm is a system designed to help farmers improve profitability, and navigate the digital tools available - from sensors to satellite imagery 
• People remain central: agronomists use data and AI to enhance (not replace) expert, on-the-ground decision-making.
• Significant R&D investment (450+ trials annually) enables Agrii to reduce risk and provide proven, field-scale insights to growers.
• A joined-up approach across seed, nutrition, and agronomy allows more precise, early-stage decision-making to improve crop performance.
• Digital platforms like Contour bring complex data together into simple, actionable insights to drive profitability and compliance.

Download insight report: www.agrii.co.uk/insights/smart-connected-farms/

Oilseed rape is showing signs of a comeback, with planted area rising significantly last autumn and renewed confidence building across the industry. But with ongoing challenges and changing conditions, is it really back as a profitable option for UK farms?

In this episode, we’re joined by Agrii’s oilseed rape specialists Ian Davey and Will Sanderson.

to explore the latest insights on varieties, establishment, and risk management - you decide whether OSR has a place in your rotation this autumn.

• Confidence is returning: improved establishment, reduced pest pressure, and stronger prices are driving renewed interest in OSR.
• Profitability goes beyond the crop: OSR remains a valuable break crop, boosting the performance of following cereals.
• Establishment is everything: success hinges on moisture, timing, and strong early growth in the first 4–6 weeks.
• Success comes from marginal gains: integrated strategies like Agrii’s eight-point plan help manage risk layer by layer.
• Variety choice is about risk, not just yield: traits like vigour, disease resilience, and stem health are critical for consistent performance.

In this episode of Tramlines, we head to Emery Soft Fruits Ltd in Hampshire to explore how growers are producing high-quality strawberries and raspberries in an increasingly challenging environment. As reliance on synthetic chemistry declines, integrated pest management (IPM) is taking centre stage. Joined by expert Matt Greep, Horticultural Agronomist at Agrii and Simon Beasley UK Sales Manager, at Bioline, we uncover how biological controls, pollinators and proactive strategies are helping growers stay ahead of pests, improve sustainability, and deliver consistent, premium fruit to UK consumers.

• IPM is now central to modern soft fruit production
• Consistent quality and flavour drive every decision
• Proactive monitoring keeps pest pressure under control
• Pollinators improve fruit shape, yield and uniformity
• Building beneficial insect populations lowers costs long term

From rising machinery costs to variable rate technology and connected farm platforms, this episode of Tramlines explores how growers can improve machinery performance, reduce waste, and make more informed investment decisions.

In this episode of Tramlines, host Tony Smith is joined by farm business consultant Paul Pickford, Jonny Kerley from Origin Digital, and Ben Foster from RHIZA to discuss one of the biggest financial pressures facing UK farming businesses: machinery investment.

With farms in England spending £2.3 billion on machinery in 2023/24, according to DEFRA, the discussion focuses on how growers can improve returns from machinery through better data, improved connectivity, more efficient operations, and a clearer understanding of true operating costs.

Podcast Summary:

• Why UK farm machinery investment has slowed despite increasing operational pressures
• The true cost of machinery ownership and why many businesses still underestimate it
• How telematics and connected platforms are improving machinery efficiency on farm
• Why idle time and machine utilisation matter more than ever in tight-margin farming
• The growing role of data and connectivity in future machinery purchasing decisions