How to profit from soil health on mixed, arable and upland livestock farms - Neil Pickard, Stuart Johnson, Kyle Richardville
In episode 17 of the Defra Farming podcast, host Neil Pickard—a farming adviser with more than 45 years’ experience in livestock and mixed farming—speaks with Soil Farmer of the Year 2023, Stuart Johnson, and Understanding Ag farming adviser, Kyle Richardville.Stuart, a tenant farmer in Northumberland, explains how he has shifted his family’s mixed sheep and cattle farm away from conventional high-input practices towards a system focused on soil health. Kyle brings the scientific perspective, drawing on his research into soil microbial populations and his work supporting farmers across the US and UK.Together, they discuss how improving soil health can help reduce reliance on expensive inputs, build resilience, and improve business efficiency. The conversation covers practical steps for mixed and arable farms as well as the specific challenges of all-grassland systems in both upland and lowland situations.🔗 Useful links mentioned in this episode:Defra Farming blogStuart Johnson bioKyle Richardville bioUnderstanding AgGrounded – The Regenerative Farming PodcastSoil Farmer of the Year competition
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Tom Allen-Stevens, Martin Lines, Ed Schofield - How IPM works for us: a farmer and agronomist’s perspective
Episode 16 – How IPM works for us: a farmer and agronomist’s perspectiveIn this episode of the Defra Farming Podcast, guest host Tom Allen-Stevens—an arable farmer in Oxfordshire and founder of the British On Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN)—is joined by Cambridgeshire farmer Martin Lines and agronomist Ed Schofield.Martin and Ed share with Tom how they are applying integrated pest management (IPM) on-farm to reduce reliance on chemical inputs while maintaining productivity and supporting biodiversity. The conversation covers practical approaches to IPM planning, monitoring and evaluation, habitat management for beneficial insects, the role of resistant crop varieties, and the importance of effective collaboration between farmers and agronomists.The episode also highlights the launch of the UK Pesticides National Action Plan 2025 and how farmers can get involved in research and innovation through initiatives like the ADOPT fund and IPM NET.🔗 Useful links mentioned in this episode:UK Pesticides National Action Plan 2025IPM NETDefra Farming blog - ADOPT Fund: guidance now available for innovation fundingInnovate UK – ADOPT: How it worksBritish On Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN)ASSIST ProjectThe Voluntary InitiativeProcessors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO)
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Martin Jenkins, Karen Halton, James Russell - Improving animal health and welfare on your farm
Defra Animal Health and Welfare lead Martin Jenkins talks to North West dairy farmer Karen Halton and vet James Russell about the support that is available from government to help livestock farmers drive down disease and improve animal health and welfare on their farms.Guidance for farmers and apply now - Guidance for farmers - Annual health and welfare review of livestock (defra.gov.uk)AHDB material for vets - What is the Annual Health and Welfare Review? | AHDB
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Robin & Christopher Milton, Michael Sturla - How SFI works with our beef and sheep farming business on the Exmoor uplands
In episode 14 of the Defra Farming podcast, Michael Sturla talks to Robin and Christopher Milton, a father and son team farming beef and sheep on the Exmoor uplands, who have recently signed up to SFI.Robin and Christopher share how they found the SFI application process and the SFI actions they have signed up to that suit their farming system, including clover and herbal leys, hedgerows, nutrient management, integrated pest management and vet visits.Find out more about how to apply for SFI https://farming.campaign.gov.uk Read more on the latest SFI announcement from Defra https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2024/01/04/environmental-land-management-in-2024-details-of-actions-and-payments
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Andrew Powley, Richard Wordsworth, Richard Findlay - Everything you need to know about the Defra Farming Resilience Fund
In episode 13 of the Defra Farming Podcast, Defra Productivity and Innovation Lead Andrew Powley spoke to Richard Wordsworth, NFU Senior Adviser (Support Schemes), and North Yorkshire beef and sheep farmer Richard Findlay.The group's in-depth conversation covers everything you need to know as a farmer to access business support through the government's Farming Resilience Fund.Find out more on GOV.UK about how to get free business advice for your farm through the Defra Farming Resilience Fund. You can read Andrew's blog posts on the Resilience Fund on the Defra farming blog and you can also subscribe to the Defra Farming blog to stay up to date on all the latest news on government funding for farming in England.
Farming in England is going through the biggest change in a generation and government's approach to farming is changing too. We're working collaboratively with the sector to develop new farming payments and polices that support food production and our environment. On this podcast, the Defra Farming and Countryside team will discuss our work with the farming community. For the latest news from the Defra farming team, bookmark and subscribe to the online home of the programme defrafarming.blog.gov.uk
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