JOE STANLEY is head of sustainable farming at The Allerton Project, a 320 hectare farm in Leicestershire, which researches the effects of different farming methods on wildlife and the environment. In this episode, Neil tours the farm with Joe to find out about their latest research and to hear why Joe is optimistic about the future of British agriculture.

In this episode: why DEFRA’s top team visit this project (2m25s); how farmers could get a fairer price from supermarkets (10m15s); a tour of their agroforestry trials (18m02s); striking the balance between tree-planting and food production (34m55s).

Visit the Allerton Project website

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

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In this episode Neil and neighbouring farmer WILLIAM BARNARD chart the ups and downs of farming for food and nature in Somerset’s unique tidal landscape known as the Pawlett Hams. Top of mind for both of them: the threat now posed to their centuries-old way of managing this landscape by the energy company EDF, and its plans to create a saltmarsh by the site of nearby Hinkley Point nuclear plant, which is currently under construction.

In this episode they discuss: the wildlife in the hams (2m50s); the role of cattle in the ecosystem (7m30s); EDF’s plans for the saltmarsh (8m44s); William’s reflections on the plans (18m25); and the uneasy relationship between their farming methods and corporate structures (24m05s).

Visit the ‘Protect Pawlett Hams’ campaign website here

Read the EDF statement in full here

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What is the latest research on sustainable livestock production telling us? And what might the future hold for beef and sheep farmers? In this episode, Neil seeks answers to these questions and lots more, over a cider in an Oxfordshire pub with Professor JUDE CAPPER from Harper Adams University.

Listen and you’ll hear: an overview of her research (1m07s); the task of making livestock production work both economically and environmentally (5m05s); assessing the carbon footprint of farms across the UK (7m10s); the challenge of creating behaviour change (12m24s); the role of retailers and consumers (15m46s); exploring the controversial role of GM crops and hormone-treated animals (18m22s); and TB vaccines - a help or a hindrance? (28m35s);

Follow Jude on X here and on Instagram here.

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.