Farm Gate

Do we seriously need to chop down more trees to address the climate crisis? What about food? Is it possible to make a living from a third of an acre of land? In a world struggling with antimicrobial resistance - what's the WHO doing downgrading a whole class of antibiotics? And what about my farm - regenerative agriculture - it's a great idea, but it'll never work here! I speak to regenerative farming advisor, Tim Williams - 0'40'' Paul Brannen, the author of Timber! How wood can help save the world from climate breakdown - 12'50'' Dr Laura Higham a veterinary consultant for FAI Farms - 25'15'' And Ben Hartman the author of The Lean Micro Farm - 37'10'' --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) discuss the week’s land use news - including: Government must deliver promised flood support, says CLA “Slurry pollution as damaging as sewage” NFFN unveils UK general election manifesto Farmers demand Universal Basic Income Research finds ten times more pests in insecticide-treated corn fields In-field crop diversity could deliver ecological resilience Urgent need for new approach to combat global grassland degradation --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

Five interviews today - on topics ranging from the constant struggle for tenant farmers to dangers of slurry pollution. 1'08'' Martin Lines from the Nature Friendly Farming Network discusses the NFFN's general election manifesto, which includes a call for a fit-for-purpose farming budget 12'29'' Peter Powell from the Welsh Dee Trust talks about the terrible impact farm slurry can have on rivers 20'34'' Vicky Vanderstichele from North Star Transition tells me that scale is critical when it comes to financing nature-based solutions 32'09'' George Dunn, the chief executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, tells me about the often poor relationship between tenant farmers and their landlords 42'35'' And finally, Robin Walter from the Soil Association, makes the case for regenerative forestry. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

Wheat from the Chaff: Wye chicken? Unlocking nature finance - And special guest: Rob Yorke Class-action-style claim takes on chicken giant, Avara Report focusses on unlocking finance for nature Updated carbon offsetting principles aim to combat greenwashing SPECIAL GUEST: Rob Yorke Welsh Government: New Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs confirmed “Where is the Land Use Framework?” asks EAC Questions remain over England’s plan for improving soil health Government caps land area used for six key SFI payments --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

Four conversations today - first, I'll meet David Wright, the Chief Executive of Ecometric, to find out about how exactly soil carbon is measured - then after that I'll talk to Chris D'Agorne from Life to Land about an analysis that shows that the non-native sycamore is now the UK's third most populous tree species. Later I'll discuss the benefits of having more trees on farms with Huw Evans from Three Pools, and we'll round up the programme with a conversation about the Westminster government's proposals for mandatory method of production labelling with Peter Stevenson and Catherine Jadav from Compassion in World Farming. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week's land use news - and meet special guest, Chris Smaje, author of "Saying NO to a farm-free future" This is a re-edit of the original podcast, which contained inaccuracies in the first section (soil carbon intro). NEWS ARTICLES DISCUSSED: New paradigm in soil science shows vast potential for carbon storage Good soil management reduces the “high risk of conventional grazing” White paper connects regenerative agriculture with nutrient density "They belong to this land" - The Reindeer Chronicles INTERVIEW: CHRIS SMAJE “Cities, like feedlots, need to import food and water from afar" THIRD SECTION No single stretch of river in England in “good ecological health” Hedgerow regulations will be brought into English law Farmers look to help rivers by cutting plough use in maize trials River restoration key to saving Scotland’s disappearing salmon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

ffinlo Costain meets Judith D Schwartz - the author of Cows Save the Planet, Water in Plain Sight and The Reindeer Chronicles. Western civilisation has, for generations, sought to extract itself from its dependency on the natural world. Indigenous knowledge has been devalued and lost. And even now, as our monumental folly becomes clearer with each passing day, those who lead us have little real conception of our innate dependency upon an interconnected natural world. Judith D Schwartz has collected evidence of landscape-scale recovery led by visionaries who have reconnected themselves with nature. ffinlo and Judith discuss what we can learn from reindeer, green colonialism, prey and predator cultures, donkeys in Western Australia, natural capital and economic growth, and the transformation of the Loess Plateaux. Find Judith at https://www.judithdschwartz.com/ and on X Buy Judith's book, The Reindeer Chronicles, here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) discuss the week's news - and are joined by special guest, farm business and succession adviser, Heather Wildman. News stories Phil and ffinlo discuss: Scottish Forestry rejects findings of Royal Society of Edinburgh tree report Non-native Sycamore is third most common British tree European Parliament votes to criminalise ecosystem destruction Government policy “inconsistent” and failing to deliver on farm antibiotic use Food and farming policies “fettered by neoliberal economics” says SDP And, NFFN Cymru unveils five-point plan for Welsh Government Special guest Heather Wildman is from Saviour Associates - visit her website --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) and Phil Carson catch up on the week's land use news - and meet forestry expert, Andrew Heald. News items they discuss: Highland estate to generate biodiversity credits with SLR and RePlanet https://8point9.com/highland-estate-to-generate-biodiversity-credits-with-slr-and-replanet/ How will BNG affect the UK biodiversity credit market? Max Bodmer, RePlanet https://8point9.com/how-will-bng-affect-the-uk-biodiversity-credit-market-max-bodmer-replanet/ Call for “radical rethink” to reap benefits of UK organic market for farmers https://8point9.com/call-for-radical-rethink-to-reap-benefits-of-uk-organic-market-for-farmers/ 40 projects to benefit from £25 million funding for natural flood management https://8point9.com/40-projects-to-benefit-from-25-million-funding-for-natural-flood-management/ African Development Bank policies “undermining biodiversity” https://8point9.com/african-development-bank-policies-undermining-biodiversity/ “China and Brazil can lead harmonised criteria” for green agriculture https://8point9.com/china-and-brazil-can-lead-harmonised-criteria-for-green-agriculture/ SPECIAL GUEST Is the UK facing a timber crisis? https://8point9.com/is-the-uk-facing-a-timber-crisis/ Wood-based construction can reduce emissions and store carbon long-term https://8point9.com/wood-based-construction-can-reduce-emissions-and-store-carbon-long-term/ LONGER CONVO - Liberal Democrats promise £1bn extra for English farmers https://8point9.com/liberal-democrats-promise-1bn-extra-for-english-farmers/ Prime Minister “needs to map a realistic future for farmers” https://8point9.com/prime-minister-needs-to-map-a-realistic-future-for-farmers/ Welsh Government says “We are listening” https://8point9.com/welsh-government-says-we-are-listening/ AND Embrace the canopy – Wales’ Sustainable Farm Scheme https://8point9.com/embrace-the-canopy-wales-sustainable-farm-scheme/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

Interviews with: Max Bodmer from RePlanet - 1'05'' Elina Body from Vet Sustain and The George Farm Vets - 14'45'' Dr Kelly Hemmings from RAU - 24'50'' Navaratnam Partheeban from IVC Evidensia Farm Vets - 30'50'' --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) are joined by regenerative farming expert, Niels Corfield. Stories discussed: Fluke control & prevention, beyond testing & treatment River Action taking government to court over River Wye pollution First Milk announces acquisition of BV Dairy Cost of living crisis causing loneliness epidemic for young people  New housing developments to deliver a boost for nature in landmark move Labour pulls ahead in crucial battle for the countryside vote --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) chew through the week's land news, and talk to special guest, Rachel Jones (Sustain), about local food. News topics discussed: Scotland: Yousaf to continue 70 per cent direct funding, dependent on greening https://8point9.com/scotland-yousaf-to-continue-70-per-cent-direct-funding-dependent-on-greening/ Survey reveals bleak relations between landlords and tenant farmers - FFINLO https://8point9.com/survey-reveals-bleak-relations-between-landlords-and-tenant-farmers/ “Hidden” record of UK’s historic biodiversity to be digitised - PHIL https://8point9.com/hidden-record-of-uks-historic-biodiversity-to-be-digitised/ UK-wide exhibition spotlights regenerative food producers - FFINLO https://8point9.com/uk-wide-exhibition-spotlights-regenerative-food-producers/ Traceability markers to deliver transparency in recycled cotton supply chain - PHIL https://8point9.com/traceability-markers-to-deliver-transparency-in-recycled-cotton-supply-chain/ Cairngorms awarded £10.7 million to become first net zero UK National Park https://8point9.com/cairngorms-awarded-10-7-million-to-become-first-net-zero-uk-national-park/ National Parks must work for everyone https://8point9.com/national-parks-must-work-for-everyone/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

Four interviews today: Rowan Phillimore from The Gaia Foundation about the We Feed The UK arts project Pete Ritchie from Nourish Scotland about the country's progress towards being a Good Food Nation Jon Parker from the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission in Wales talking about Welsh farm policy And Ignas van Schaick, the co-producer of a new movie, Planet Soil, which delves deep into the earth, turning invertebrates into stars. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

ffinlo and Phil talk through the week's land use news and are joined by special guest, Rhys Evans, from the Nature Friendly Farming Network, Wales. News stories discussed: High-tech aerial mapping reveals England’s hedgerow landscape Economists calculate multi-trillion dollar opportunity to fix global food system UK-Canada trade talks halted over safeguarding British food standards “Deep concerns about biosecurity” at new GB border Soil Association pushes back against criticism of organic salmon A big win for grassland, but farmers need more Farming risks being “lured” by far-right rhetoric --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

Regular hosts Phil Carson and ffinlo Costain are joined by Stephen Alexander from the Nature Friendly Farming Network in Norther Ireland. News we discuss: NFU and AHDB to commission independent review of farm assurance Scottish Government publishes long-awaited Good Food Nation plans Supermarkets accused of “acting like a cartel” Farmers aim to save Long Compton Abattoir from closure Northern Ireland: Four-point plan to back nature-friendly farming NI faces a “public health emergency” unless permanent access to vet medicines is secured Future Amoc collapse linked to Greenland ice loss could have “profound impacts” Research says human behavioural crisis at root of ecological breakdown --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

A bumper programme, with five interviews covering everything from natural capital markets available to farmers to the fact that climate change is happening faster than predicted in Scotland. We'll hear from the Food Ethics Council about their proposals for UK dairy, from the head of the RSPB's Fair to Nature, and from a farmer who's successfully introduced hemp as a break crop. Helen Avery from the Green Finance InstituteAbi Williams from the Food Ethics CouncilChristy York from the Hutton Wandesley EstateMark Varney from Fair to NatureAnd Dr Mike Rivington from the James Hutton Institute. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

Breed is critical to any livestock operation and an active breeding programme helps farmers to develop their herd around particular beneficial traits. In the run up to the British Cattle Breeders Club conference this January, we've been taking an in-depth look at how the traits and characteristics needed for regenerative farming differ from mainstream cattle production. We'll hear from three farmers with active on-farm breeding programmes - Sophie Wilson from Starveall Dairy - Silas Hedley Lawrence from FAI Farms - and Phyllis van Amburgh from Dharma Lea in the USA. We also hear from Rob Havard, who runs the breeding farm, Phepson Angus. From 8point9.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

This week Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) are joined by Rob Havard from Phepson Angus. Links to news stories discussed: Up to £25,000 for farmers affected by flooding Nuffield report investigates carbon farming and soil carbon markets A whole-sector approach needed to create resilience in UK dairy sector Over half of adults want UK farmers to prioritise nature-friendly farming *** 8.9 TV: Regenerative beef breeding: Rob Havard, Phepson Angus *** Flexible approaches needed to bring new entrants into small farming businesses New Toolkit will empower farmers to assess nature market opportunities --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

ffinlo Costain (8.9) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week's news - and welcome special guest, Clare Hill from Planton Farm. Links to topics discussed: First Milk farms revolutionising biodiversity and soil health assessment Changes to Woodland Carbon Code threaten UK timber supplies Woodland regeneration increases by 25% at Highlands National Nature Reserve Why nature-based solutions are essential in the carbon market Roots to Regeneration: a year-long transition programme for farmers and food professionals Cash boost and new incentives for nature-friendly farming welcomed Wildlife at risk on farms as vital hedge and river rules vanish --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message

In Field, Fork, Fashion, Alice V Robinson takes readers on a journey into the afterlife of Bullock 374, to help people understand the origin story of leather and its intrinsic connection to food and farming. ffinlo Costain is joined by Alice V Robinson - and by Sara Grady - who, with Alice, recently established British Pasture Leather, which sources and processes cattle hides from Pasture for Life farms for the UK fashion industry. You can buy Field, Fork, Fashion here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781645021193 And visit British Pasture Leather here: https://britishpastureleather.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/farmgate/message