Farming Focus

What really works in regenerative farming? Recorded live at Groundswell, this week’s Farming Focus™ brings together Cornwall farmer Geoff Williams and Terrafarmer’s Will Marris and Jack Pierce to unpick the successes they’ve seen around soil health, profitability and resilience. From starting small to learning from others, hear practical ideas for building a stronger farming business, whatever you...

Recorded live at the 2026 Devon County Show, this series finale of Farming Focus™ brings together elements of several episodes to explore why collaboration is becoming increasingly important for resilient and profitable farm businesses. Host Peter Green is joined by Devon farmer Chris Berry, facilitator Mel Bradley and Farm Carbon Toolkit’s Becky Willson to discuss how discussion groups, farmer cl...

Buying or selling livestock always carries risk, but good biosecurity can make a big difference. In this Farming Focus™ bonus episode, host Peter Green is rejoined by Synergy Farm Health  vet Esme Moffat and Devon sheep farmer Pete Delbridge to discuss practical steps farmers can take when moving stock. From understanding health status and asking the right questions to quarantine and transport hyg...

Host Peter Green discusses the practical realities of farm biosecurity with Synergy Farm Health vet Esme Moffett and Devon sheep farmer Peter Delbridge. The episode highlights how building awareness and regularly reviewing risk can improve long-term animal health. Covering the major disease risks facing South West farms, from TB and sheep scab to bluetongue, they look at why simple habits still ma...

Peter Green is re-joined by solicitor Tom Mottram from Porter Dodson and Devon farmer Jilly Greed in this bonus episode of Farming Focus™ to explore the role of gifting within farm succession planning. They discuss tax implications, affordability and the importance of professional advice, alongside Jilly’s first-hand experience of transferring assets. They advise being informed is a strength, high...

This episode explores farm succession planning in light of recent changes to agricultural property relief. Host Peter Green is joined by solicitor Tom Mottram from Porter Dodson and fourth-generation Devon farmer Jilly Greed to discuss tax implications, family conversations and practical steps. From partnership agreements to professional advice, they share honest insight and experience, strongly r...

In this bonus episode, Peter Green is joined once again by AHDB’s Dr Laura Underdown and farmer Jonathan Chapman to consider how environmental schemes can support farm businesses. They discuss matching schemes with farm goals, making the most of different land types and the importance of learning from other farmers. As Jonathan Chapman says, “you've got to make a profit”, with the focus on buildin...

This episode of Farming Focus™ looks at natural capital, what it is and what it means for farm businesses in a changing policy and market landscape. AHDB’s Dr Laura Underdown explains it as “putting a pound sign on nature”, while farmer Jonathan Chapman shares how he’s been making the most of his natural capital by building soil health and increasing biodiversity. The discussion covers risk, incom...

Building on last week’s episode of Farming Focus™ , we look at how data and technology can support more resilient farming in the face of changing weather. From soil monitoring to variety selection, Met Office science lead Professor Pete Falloon and Riviera Produce farm and sustainability manager David Thomas share practical examples of using information to guide decisions. Hear how tracking perfor...

In this episode of Farming Focus™ , we explore how South West farmers can stay resilient as weather patterns become more unpredictable. From wetter winters to hotter, drier summers, Met Office  science lead Professor Pete Falloon and Riviera Produce  farm and sustainability manager David Thomas share practical insights on adapting day-to-day operations. Hear how improving soil health, using data a...

Current milk price volatility is seeing dairy farmers “juggling more money faster than they've ever juggled before” according to Chris Walkland on this week’s Farming Focus™, with additional pressure now coming from rocketing fuel prices. So, what can farmers do?  Control the controllable in your situation and look ahead is the advice of award-winning Devon farmers Christopher and George Courtier....

All the ducks are in a row for good milk production according to Chris Walkland, speaking on this week’s Farming Focus™ . Having seen the biggest drop in milk prices, how does the well-known independent dairy commentator see the markets playing out?  Alongside him, Devon’s 2025 Dairy Farmers of the Year Christopher and George Coutier describe how they’ve managed the risks proactively and are now n...

Farmer Jane Gurney and Cornish Mutual’s Dominic Jones join host Peter Green to talk about shifting the culture when it comes to safety on farm.  Make sure you listen to episode 4 to get the most from this bonus episode.  Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an inter...

On this week’s Farming Focus™ Peter and his guests discuss the topic of farm safety.  Agriculture is nearly consistently named the most dangerous industry to work in, based on figures from the Health and Safety Executive. Are we doing enough to address this and talk about it outside of Farm Safety Week? Peter Green is joined by Jane Gurney who is a farmer and founder of the Tilly Trailer Pass; and...

Farming without subsidies is fast becoming a reality for many farmers. CAAV’s Jeremy Moody and Nick Dymond of St. Piran’s Pork expand last week’s discussion to consider what it means for farm profitability, believing those already making money without support can help the whole industry become price makers not price takers. Make sure you listen to episode 3 to get the most from this bonus episode....

On this week’s Farming Focus™, CAAV’s Jeremy Moody says the present government’s support for farmers is like a clockwork toy winding down, with little on which farmers can currently make business decisions. Together with fellow guest, Nick Dymond of St Piran’s Pork, he suggests farmers can use the new funding landscape to redirect their businesses, reimagining what they do and how they do it. CAAV...

Farmers often face long hours and unpredictable weather on top of the pressures of running a business which can take their toll. Today, we’re focusing on practical strategies for managing stress and looking after your mental health, no matter how busy life on the farm gets. Joining host Peter Green are Emma O’Sullivan, founder of the DPJ Foundation, and Cornish farmer James Warwick. Make sure you...

To mark Mind Your Head Week, today, we’re opening up an important and often difficult conversation — the challenges of farming alone, and the mental health angle of this. Farming can be one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but it can also be incredibly isolating and stressful. Long hours, financial pressures, unpredictable weather, and the responsibility of running a business often fall on...

In this bonus episode, host Peter Green is joined once again by Wendy Nicholas and Jack Pierce to talk about the recent Farm Profitability Review which was written by Baroness Minette Batters and published by the UK government in December 2025.  Make sure you listen to episode 1 to get the most from this bonus episode.  Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is...

Host Peter Green is joined by Jack Pierce, an agribusiness consultant with Terrafarmer, and Cornish beef farmer Wendy Nicholas who was named last year’s Farming Champion at the Cornwall Farm Business awards. Together they discuss Baroness Minette Batters' Farm Profitability Review.  Are there topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d love to hear from? Get in touch by emailing us at podcast@co...

The Oxford Farming Conference took place last week, with many inspiring sessions and a speech from the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds. In this episode host Peter Green is joined by Managing Director of Agricola Growers, Jeremy Oatey, who was at the conference, to review what was said and to look ahead to the rest of 2026.  Are there topics you’d like...

Peter looks back on some highlights from this series and is joined by Becki Reay who is Head of UK Corporate at Asterra, the dairy group within AB Agri Ltd. Working with the whole dairy supply chain; processors, retailers and influencers in the UK dairy industry, Becki has broad experience in delivering strategic consultancy, covering insights into UK and global milk market dynamics, milk pricing...

What simple steps can you take, and how can you make a real difference without it taking over your working day? In this bonus episode, host Peter Green is joined once again by Tom Martin and Louise Penn who offer some quick, practical tips for farmers who’d like to inspire young people and connect them with farming.  Make sure you listen to episode 9 to get the most from this bonus episode.  Farmi...

In today’s episode, host Peter Green is turning attention to the topic of how to inspire and engage the next generation with farming. There’s a huge opportunity to connect young people with the land—and perhaps even spark future careers in agriculture. But how best to do this? Can we get more children on to farms and how can we connect children and schools with farms?  To discuss this topic he is...

In this bonus episode, Peter Green continues the conversation with Tim Williams and Louise Penn to look beyond the environmental benefits of regenerative agriculture and ask the big question — does it make business sense? Together they explore how regenerative practices can affect farm finances, from reducing inputs and improving soil health to building resilience in the face of changing markets a...