Tramlines

Today’s topic of discussion is sustainable grain programmes, focussing on a new offer from Agrii, Viterra and Whitworth Brothers Flour Millers. We are delighted to be joined by Amy Watkins from Agrii, Sam Chambers from Viterra and William Butler from Whitworth. We will explore how sustainable grain programmes can benefit both farmers and supply chain partners economically, enhance industry sustainability and offer consumers value through quality and traceability. 

Agrii can help you future proof your farming by growing a diverse range of crops together with compressive advice on environmental and sustainable business opportunities. For more information visit agrii.co.uk/sustainability

Tony Smith is the host of Tramlines. Based in the South West and from a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) in Agriculture. He spent many years working in the farming industry before moving into a career as a presenter. Tony has hosted Tramlines for the past five seasons. 

Today we are joined by Agrii's Jamie Lyttle, agronomist, and Greg Taylor, area business manager and agronomist. Our focus is tackling a real challenge - black-grass - and how, through identifying the problem, field-scale trials were able to find real solutions. Let’s hear from the agronomist on that farm about how possible solutions were identified to help manage this persistent problem. 

Join us at the Tusmore demo event on 10th June. Book here from 1st May www.agrii.co.uk/events/

 Tony Smith is the host of Tramlines. Based in the South West and from a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) in Agriculture. He spent many years working in the farming industry before moving into a career as a presenter. Tony has hosted Tramlines for the past five seasons. 

Today we are joined by Agrii’s David Leaper, seed technical specialist, and Poppy Bunting, crop inputs specialist. In this episode, we are taking a technical dive into seed treatments. Exploring traditional seed treatments and their viability alongside the new biological offerings, understanding soil borne pathogens, seed borne insects, diseases and pests. We also delve into exclusive seed treatments, backed by Agrii’s extensive R&D trials programme and discuss how we can grow healthy crops. 

Claim 1 BASIS and NRoSO point for listening to this podcast. Email [email protected] with your membership number, full name, postcode and DOB. 

For more information, visit www.agrii.co.uk/our-services/seed/agrii-seeds/

Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture. He worked in the farming industry for many years before developing his career as a presenter. 

Today we are joined by Agrii’s Adam Simper, national grass, roots and environmental seeds manager and Simon Hobbs, national cover crop, environmental and wildflower seeds technical manager. In this episode our focus is SFI. Is it much more than simply taking the payment? How can SFI also benefit the farm business in terms of both productivity and financial performance.

For more information, look out for our 2025 cover crops brochure and autumn seed yearbook which can be found in the Agrii library. Visit here.

Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture. He worked in the farming industry for many years before developing his career as a presenter. 

Today we are talking with Annabel Hamilton from Bee Edge farm in the Scottish borders and Greig Baird head of agronomy teams in Scotland for Agrii. In this episode we are checking in with Bee Edge farm which is also an Agrii iFarm, to see how the season is faring so far, what can be learnt from the previous harvest year and what are the top tips as we start a busy season on farm. 

To find out more about Agrii's summer iFarm events and how to book, visit here.

Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture. He worked in the farming industry for many years before developing his career as a presenter. 

Today we are talking with Tom Land, national fertiliser manager at Agrii and Peter Scott technical director at Origin Soil Nutrition. The focus for this episode is crop nutrition with a particular focus on phosphate and potash usage, how to optimise the ROI and ensure that the crop can fully utilise nitrogen efficiently as well as other important nutrients.

For more information and useful articles on crop nutrition click here. 

Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture. He worked in the farming industry for many years before developing his career as a presenter. 

Today we are talking with Ben Lowe, national forage product manager with Agrii and Tim Richmond, UK and Ireland product manager for Limagrain Field Seeds. Focusing in on the forage maize crop, is that time in the season where making the right variety choices is critical. So let’s ask the experts for some key advice and find out what’s new when it comes to variety choice.

Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture. He worked in the farming industry for many years before developing his career as a presenter.

For more information on maize varieties from Agrii, you can find the latest 2025 maize brochure at www.agrii.co.uk/your-crops/forage/maize 

Today, we are talking with James Wrinch from East Suffolk Produce, Graham Tomalin from VCS Potatoes, and Don Pendergrast, Technical Manager for Non-Combinable Trials with Agrii. In this episode, we're going to focus in on the potato crop and The Potato Partnership, which looks to find solutions to the most pressing weed, pest, and disease threats facing this high-value crop.

To find out more about The Potato Partnership, visit www.thepotatopartnership.co.uk and for details on upcoming events, click on the events tab to find out more.

Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture. He worked in the farming industry for many years before developing his career as a presenter.

Tramlines hit a milestone 100 episodes in December 2024.

To kick off the new year, we take a look back at some of the most popular episodes of the past year, listening again to some of the great advice from our expert guests who helped us navigate through an incredibly challenging year for British farming.


In Episode 14, we reflect on key moments from:

• Taking Action with the Latest Updates to SFI 2024
• Seeds of Influence: Exploring Leadership in Agriculture with Christine Tacon
• Live from Readyhedge: Perfecting and Protecting Ornamental Crops
• Live from Cereals: Reflect, Adjust and Plan: How to Prepare for Autumn Sowing
• Should I Grow Oilseed Rape?

Thank you all for being with us on this journey and helping ot make Tramlines a success. 

Today we are recording live on location in East Devon with Lester Bowker of Cotley Farm and Matt Greep, Agrii Area Business Manager for fruit and horticultural agronomist. This episode will be looking at one of the more festive farm enterprises - growing Christmas trees - and exploring the care and maintenance needed as well as the benefits and opportunities that can come from this and other kinds of agritourism.

To find out more about how Agrii can help you with your speciality crops or farm diversification visit agrii.co.uk/contact or email us at [email protected].

Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture. He worked in the farming industry for many years before developing his career as a presenter.