Rock & Roll Farming

Welcome to "We Need to Talk About Farming" – a new spin-off series from myself Will Evans and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission. There's a lot of noise in farming right now. For many, the future feels uncertain. This series is about having better conversations about the biggest issues facing agriculture. In each episode, we'll take on a topic that's making headlines and dividing WhatsApp groups. We'll go beyond the buzzwords, cut through the cliches, and work out what really matters. In this episode, we're talking about nature with Holly Purdey and James Robinson.  About 70% of the UK is farmland. British farmers have a massive role to play in maintaining clean rivers and fresh air and helping wildlife to thrive. But there are nagging worries about the impact of taking land out of production, for nature as well as energy and housing. And farmers who want to support wildlife are concerned that government support may be falling away. How do we maintain momentum for farming that works with nature? How do we make smart decisions about how to use our limited land?     https://ffcc.co.uk/we-need-to-talk-about-farming

We head to Cumbria for episode four of Goodyear Farm Tires' Talking Crop podcast to meet the British Farming Family of the Year of 2024. The Ladds Family, headed up by Andrew and Cath and supported by sons Chris, Richard and Thomas, claimed the coveted award after a hugely successful 12 months at Benson Hall Farm in Scalthwaiterigg Operating a mixed farm including more than 200 Holstein cows, R & E Ladds also has a farm contracting service covering forage harvesting, round baling, slurry work and GPS-controlled fertiliser spreading, as well as a 45-site static caravan park established post-foot-and-mouth disease.  Additionally, they partner with Kendal College, hosting practical classes and providing valuable hands-on experience for students. The Talking Crop podcast is produced by Goodyear Farm Tires. View our range of tires for vintage, classic and modern tractors at https://www.goodyearfarmtires.eu/

Episode three of Goodyear Farm Tires' Talking Crop podcast takes us to Crewe to meet the Hughes family. Clayhanger Hall Farm has been in the family for more than a century, with current owners Dennis and Rachel Hughes taking the helm in 2002. Some 16 years later, their two children - Andrew and Emma - returned to the farm with their families to further strengthen the team. Their dairy operations see them have a milking herd of more than 300 cows, with a specific focus on genetics, maximising herd size and improving milk production. The Hughes contingent were finalists in the Family Farming Business of the Year  category at the British Farming Awards last year.   The Talking Crop podcast is produced by Goodyear Farm Tires. View our range of tires for vintage, classic and modern tractors at https://www.goodyearfarmtires.eu/

Welcome to "We Need to Talk About Farming" – a new spin-off series from myself Will Evans and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission. There's a lot of noise in farming right now. For many, the future feels uncertain. This series is about having better conversations about the biggest issues facing agriculture. In each episode, we'll take on a topic that's making headlines and dividing WhatsApp groups. We'll go beyond the buzzwords, cut through the cliches, and work out what really matters. In this episode we're talking about NET ZERO with Ben Taylor-Davies and Liz Bowles.  The 'net zero' drive has become a flashpoint for farming. British farmers will have to make radical changes to meet national targets for cutting emissions. But decarbonisation that treat agriculture like any other industry are switching off farmers and de-railing crucial action, not least for preparing for the changing climate. How can farming become part of the solution?   https://ffcc.co.uk/we-need-to-talk-about-farming    

Becci Berry was joined by her daughters Jaz and Martha as she sat down with Talking Crop host Will Evans to discuss swapping horseracing, PR and hospitality for a life on a 365ha mixed farm. Becci is a familiar figure in the British farming industry and a trustee on the board of The Institute For Agriculture and Horticulture. The Talking Crop podcast is produced by Goodyear Farm Tires. View our range of tires for vintage, classic and modern tractors at https://www.goodyearfarmtires.eu/

Welcome to "We Need to Talk About Farming" – a new spin-off series from myself Will Evans and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission. There's a lot of noise in farming right now. For many, the future feels uncertain. This series is about having better conversations about the biggest issues facing agriculture. In each episode, we'll take on a topic that's making headlines and dividing social media and WhatsApp groups. We'll go beyond the buzzwords, cut through the cliches, and work out what really matters. In this episode, we're talking about cheap food. Britain has some of the cheapest food in the world, but while farmers are being squeezed, too many people can't afford a healthy diet. How can growing food become more profitable while ensuring everyone can eat well?    https://ffcc.co.uk/we-need-to-talk-about-farming   

Joe Hamer is a man on a misson.  Listen as we talk about his family's deep farming roots in Shropshire, the tragic early death of his Father and the long-lasting impact that had on him and his family, his route into farming, our mutual battles with ADHD, and the highly successful diversified public-facing business he and his wife run now.  All this, and much more.    willpenrievans@gmail.com  

Thrilled to bring you these bonus episodes for the podcast, recorded earlier this year.  In the debut episode of Goodyear Farm Tires' Talking Crop podcast, we meet husband-and-wife team Chad and Lucy Stevens who stepped back from jobs as a police officer and a beauty salon owner to become fifth generation farmers at a Yorkshire cow and sheep business. The couple tell the story of their dramatic career change – and the challenges it has brought.   The Talking Crop podcast is produced by Goodyear Farm Tires. View our range of tires for vintage, classic and modern tractors at https://www.goodyearfarmtires.eu/

Welcome to "We Need to Talk About Farming" – a new spin-off series from myself Will Evans and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission. There's a lot of noise in farming right now. For many, the future feels uncertain. This series is about having better conversations about the biggest issues facing agriculture. In each episode, we'll take on a topic that's making headlines and dividing social media and WhatsApp groups. We'll go beyond the buzzwords, cut through the cliches, and work out what really matters. In this episode, we're talking about meat and dairy. Calls to cut livestock numbers and eat less milk and meat have become hugely controversial. Beef, lamb and milk are at the heart of Britain's farming heritage, particularly in the north and west. But consuming a bit less meat and dairy is seen as being central to all credible plans for helping the UK fight climate change and embrace healthier lifestyles. How do we strike the right balance? https://ffcc.co.uk/we-need-to-talk-about-farming      

Helen Chesshire is passionate about trees and how they can have a beneficial impact in farming systems.  Listen as we talk about how The Woodland Trust has changed over the years, the ways they can help farmers get more trees on their farms, and why everyone with an interest in farming and the environment should attend this year's Agroforestry Show (more information below).   willpenrievans@gmail.com    Agroforestry Show  Join us at Woodoaks Farm, Herts, on 10-11 September 2025, for two incredible days dedicated to the future of farming, forestry, and sustainable land management. Full Show Programme can be found here https://www.agroforestryshow.com/2025-schedule   Tickets on sale now https://www.agroforestryshow.com/ For listeners of the podcast we would like to offer a Friends of the WT 10% discount code on 1 and 2-day tickets - Use Discount CodeWT2025 when booking. What's in store?  Inspiring speakers across 4 stages offering in-depth discussions; this includes sessions on whole farm tree planning and woodland condition assessments as well as all aspects of agroforestry Live demonstrations and practical training Farm walks showcasing agroforestry in action and farm woodland management Hands-on workshops and expert-led sessions Agroforestry Design clinic, book your one to one session with an agroforestry adviser Unmissable networking opportunities; local food, music and onsite micro-brewery   Included within the cost of your ticket we are delighted to be offering farmers the opportunity to sign up for a free 1:1 agroforestry design clinic whilst at the show in the Advice Hub.  The pre booking link is now live here https://outlook.office.com/book/AgroforestryDesignClinicsatGroundswell20241@SoilAssociation.onmicrosoft.com/s/tAYS0IMRIUeK__qIUVpnkw2?ismsaljsauthenabled or sign up while at the show on the board outside the Advice Hub  

Welcome to "We Need to Talk About Farming" – a new spin-off series from myself Will Evans and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission. There's a lot of noise in farming right now. For many, the future feels uncertain. This series is about having better conversations about the biggest issues facing agriculture. In each episode, we'll take on a topic that's making headlines and dividing social media and WhatsApp groups. We'll go beyond the buzzwords, cut through the cliches, and work out what really matters. In this episode, we're talking about food security, with Professor Tim Lang and Jonty Brunyee. From the war in Ukraine and the Middle East to President Trump's threat of tariffs, global politics feel more volatile than ever. Climate change and extreme weather are making agriculture more risky and disrupting food chains across the planet. How should Britain feed itself in an unstable world? How prepared is the country for shocks to its food supply? How can we build the resilience we need?   https://ffcc.co.uk/we-need-to-talk-about-farming

Tom Pearson is a man who makes a difference. Listen as we talk about his family farm in Cambridgeshire, his experiences working as a medical doctor in many different countries, and his Nuffield scholorship that explores the unique roles that farmers and growers can play in delivering nutrition-based health interventions.   All this, and much, much more!     willpenrievans@gmail.com

Polly Davies never thought she'd be a farmer.  Listen as we hear about her journey back to the family farm from working in construction in London, her extremely diverse organic farming business, the challenges of direct selling produce, women in farming and wider industry, and much, much more.      www.sladefarmorganics.com  willpenrievans@gmail.com

Welcome to "We Need to Talk About Farming" – a new spin-off series from myself Will Evans and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission. There's a lot of noise in farming right now. For many, the future feels uncertain. This series is about having better conversations about the biggest issues facing agriculture. In each episode, we'll take on a topic that's making headlines and dividing social media and WhatsApp groups. We'll go beyond the buzzwords, cut through the cliches, and work out what really matters. Look out for fortnightly episodes coming very soon!

By his own admittance, Tom Edmondson has been on quite the journey.  Listen as we talk about how changing to regenerative farming has transformed his business, his soils, the biodiversity on his farm, and his mental health. All this, and much more.  *Warning: Also includes sourdough bread chat  https://cranleybarnfarms.co.uk   willpenrievans@gmail.com 

Adam Bedford's reputuation as the nicest bloke in agriculture is well deserved.    Listen as we talk about how he got into farming via an Uncle and a milk round, writing for Farmer's Weekly, his time working at the National Farmer's Union, including a stint in Brussels, his present role as Collaborative Projects Director at Fera Science (and what that means!), going viral with Jean Next Door™️, and the awesome Fieldwork Book Club.  All this and much, much more.    willpenrievans@gmail.com     

Dan Smith's one of my favourite people in farming.  Listen as we talk about his early life moving all around the country with his farm manager father, we compare notes on how formal education wasn't for us, his time working on a chrity farm with children and young people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds, the importance of putting yourself out of your comfort zone, our mutual dislike of 'isms', his future farming and family plans, and his Nuffield travels.  All this, and much, much more!    willpenrievans@gmail.com   

Nikki Yoxall challenges conventional thinking.  Listen as we talk about how her and her husband James became first generation farmers, her strong environmental values, the pros and cons of farming social media, how they've grown their Grampian Graziers business by collaborating with landowners, the value of peer to peer learning and networks, Pasture for Life, and how the agricultural industry can be better at communicating with our customers.  We covered a lot of ground in this one!    willpenrievans@gmail.com 

Andy Venables is one of the good guys.  Listen as we talk dairy farming, starting an award-winning digital marketing agency, dealing with testicular cancer, and much, much more.    www.hillsgreen.co.uk   Get in touch: willpenrievans@gmail.com 

If ever there was a superhero origin story, it's right here.  Ben Taylor Davies talks about the terrible accident his young son had, and how it turned his life, mindset, and farm around completely. We cried, we laughed - it's all here - just listen.    willpenrievans@gmail.com