Cutting Inputs and Output to Increase Profitability - investigating 'The Profitable Farm' with Chris Clark and Brian Scanlon

Today, we're diving into one of the most critical challenges in farming today—profitability. How do you balance the demands of business, the realities of nature, and the need to manage energy and resources sustainably at a time when income sources and profitability itself is undergoing change?To help us explore this, I’m joined by two returning guests who are tackling these questions head-on—farm consultant Chris Clark and physicist Brian Scanlon. Together, they've written a new book, very recently published by 5m books and titled The Profitable Farm: Balancing Business, Nature and Energy through MSO, which stands for Maximum Sustainable Output. And make sure you keep listening to the end of the episode because there is a discount code which will give you 25% off the book and I’ll tell you what that code is later. Long standing listeners amongst you may have caught our bonus episode back in June 2023 which was when Brian and Chris were last on the show, and if you did then you’ll already have a taste of their thinking. If not, don’t worry—we’re going to unpack it all right here, but I recommend scrolling back to that episode. Today, we'll be digging into the book itself, discussing what Chris and Brian have been learning and developing since their last appearance on the show, and what MSO might mean for the future of your farm. To buy the book with a 25% discount (courtesy of 5m books) - click here and use the code meet25 Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. About Ben and  RuralPod MediaBen Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. Follow us on social mediaInstagram @mtf_podcastTwitter @mtf_podcastWatch us on Youtube here