The Crop It Like It's Hot Podcast

The latest Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) actions have arrived, bringing fresh opportunities for farmers, but also plenty of questions.In this episode, we sit down with Megan Whatty, Hutchinsons environmental specialist, to unpack the latest developments, explore what has changed, and discuss what the new actions could mean for farm businesses across the country.With funding levels lower than many in the industry had hoped, we take an honest look at where the real opportunities lie, which actions may offer the greatest value, and what farmers should consider as they plan for the future.Whether you're already participating in environmental schemes or are considering your options for the first time, this episode provides valuable insights to help you make informed decisions for your business.SpeakersAsh Ellwood - Farmers Guardian head of arableMegan Whatty - Hutchinsons environmental specialist

For years, many growers questioned whether oilseed rape still had a future in UK arable rotations. Pressure from cabbage stem flea beetle, difficult establishment seasons and rising input costs pushed confidence in the crop to some of its lowest levels in decades.But after two stronger seasons, sentiment is beginning to shift.So why is oilseed rape making a comeback on some farms? What are successful growers doing differently? And can OSR once again become a reliable and profitable break crop in modern arable rotations?In this episode, we’re joined by Nigel Padbury from Premium Crops and Dorset farm manager Tom Baker to discuss the latest thinking around OSR establishment, varietal choice, cabbage stem flea beetle management, crop nutrition and rotational strategy.

Join us for our second arable special where Farmers Guardian head of arable, Ash Ellwood, visits Duchy of Cornwall's Focus Farmers, Heather and Paul Gorringe. Together, they explore the Gorringes' journey from a conventionally plough-based system to a biologically focused, regenerative system - and lessons they are learning along the way through the Focus Farmer programme. The Duchy of Cornwall’s regenerative ambitions are brought to life through its seven ‘Focus Farms’, each representing a different landscape and farming system across the estate. The initiative is designed to fast-track progress towards net zero while building a more nature-rich farming future, by trialling innovative practices and technologies. At Lower Blakemere Farm, the Gorringes are putting these ideas into action - experimenting with biological inputs, composting systems, nutrient-rich brews, and adapting small-scale regenerative principles for large-scale arable production. From Stabiliser cattle and mini trucks to bokashi composting, this episode is packed with practical insights and ideas for every kind of farmer. Find out more:https://www.lowerblakemerefarm.co.ukhttps://www.ukminitrucks.co.ukhttps://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk

Thousands of tonnes of perfectly good arable produce never leave the farm gate, due to spoilage, market gluts, or shifting contracts. But what actually happens to that surplus? In this episode, head of arable Ash Ellwood visits a re-distribution site in Merseyside to dig into the true scale of on-farm waste and follow the journey of surplus produce beyond the field.Discover how FareShare and The Felix Project are turning overlooked harvests into vital food supplies for nearly 8,000 charities and why understanding where your crop goes next could reshape how you see value, waste, and opportunity in your rotation.To get in touch with FareShare and The Felix Project, head to: https://thefelixproject.org/ or https://fareshare.org.uk/fareshareandfelix/

If you were asked for your top piece of farming advice for a new entrant or a Young Farmer - what would you tell them? We chat with farmers from across the country for their pieces of advice and learnings from the ground.We also chat with Dick Neale, technical manager at Hutchinsons, to find out what growers should be considering ahead of getting the drill out this spring time, common mistakes he has seen and his practical advice to start the spring season as strong as possible.

Changes to Government policy dominate our headlines, from the APR reform to our 'Save Our Family Farms Campaign' looking to support farmers through changes to IHT. It can feel like our farming industry is constantly reacting to policy. In this podcast, we discuss how a vision that George Freeman, Conservative MP for Mid Norfolk, has put to the Government, setting out how smarter regulation, investment in innovation, and technologies such as precision breeding could unlock higher yields, improved resilience, and new opportunities for arable producers.

2025: the one where it didn't rain for months, we lost a major yellow rust resistance gene, SFI's were abruptly halted, and UK tractor sales tanked.It has been a challenging year, but where there is challenge, there comes opportunity for change.Join Ash, Toby and Jane as they chat all things arable, policy and machinery - while uncovering positives among the negatives as we round up 2025 in our final arable podcast offering.Speakers:Ash Ellwood - head of arableToby Whatley - head of machinery and farm technologyJane Thynne - head of news and business

This month, Farmers Guardian headed to Agri-TechE's REAP Conference in Peterborough and caught up with some speakers, industry professionals and researchers to find out what the key takeaway messages were from the conference, what research and innovations are on the way into the industry and what technology is currently being utilised on farms.Speakers Dr Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-TechDr David George, researcher at Newcastle UniversityTodd Jex, agronomist and Agri-TechE AmbassadorAli Capper, hops and apple grower at Stock Farm and chair of British Apples and PearsDr Nadia Radzman, biologist at The Sainsbury Laboratory at Cambridge UniversityLouise Penn, farmer, agronomist and Agri-TechE AmbassadorPenelope Bossom, managing Partner at Overbury EnterprisesRyan McCormack, farm manager at Dennington Hall Farms

Join podcast host, Ash Ellwood, as she visits a family arable farm based in Leicestershire, which has recently diversified its farming business by creating its own fresh oat drink.The diversification is led by founder and family member Miles, who has not only found a market for his farm-grown oats but also created an opportunity to return to the family farm, after completing university and working in London.We learn about the whole 'grain-to-glass' process, how the oats are grown and marketed, and also get their top tips for growers looking to incorporate new ideas on their own farms. 

In this episode, join Ash Ellwood as she chats with three industry experts all things grass-weed control. Take a deep dive into the recent dry summer and its impacts on weed pressures and seedbanks, as well as the availability of new and existing chemistry. Learn how growers can balance their herbicide timing and spending to minimise resistance on farm, and discover top tips for minimising resistance.With mostly dry weather continuing into autumn so far, we also discuss the risks and rewards associated with drilling early, as well as what growers can do to manage grass weeds in an early-drilled crop.SpeakersJohn Cussans - Weed science principle consultant - ADASDr Will Smith - Technical lead - Gowan Crop ProtectionMark Hemmant - Technical manager - Agrovista

In this months podcast join Ash Ellwood, head of arable, as she chats with Paul Gosling, AHDB’s Senior manager for the Recommended Lists (RL), as they discuss the process for varieties to become recommended, what happens during the trials and how best to utilise the list information.  We also chat with Clare Leaman, cereal variety specialist at Niab about what resources are available to aid variety choice and some key factors to consider on farm.

This episode delves into the complexities of plant breeding as we visit DSV's breeding centre in Oxfordshire and discuss how a new variety is bred and the steps required to bring it to market. Join Ash Ellwood as she takes a tour of the facility while chatting with DSV's wheat breeder, Dr Matthew Kerton. Also, our brand-new addition to the podcast features five growers from around the country sharing their favourite meals to have in the field during harvest time, ranging from pheasant to prawn toast!  

In our exciting re-launch episode, we chat with Hutchinson's head of environmental services, Georgina Wallis, who gives us an update on the recently scrapped Sustainable Farming Incentive funding and an insight into the latest spending budget. We then head to NIAB's soil hole, where chief executive, Prof Mario Caccamo, discusses the importance of independent variety selection. With changing legislation and environmental pressures, plant breeding programs are crucial for future developments. Dr Alex Doering, managing director of DSV UK, talks us through the OSR breeding programs and what exciting new traits are on offer.Finally, we catch up with RAGT's Andrew Creasy and Senova's Hugh Harley, who walk us through a new farm-saved seed royalty collection service and a new Group 4 wheat variety.

The Nuffield Farming Scholarship offers financial support for sustainable farming practices and involves a two-year commitment. Three arable-focused scholars, Jamie, Sam, and Tom, were interviewed in a podcast, where they discussed their projects and the application process. The scholarship provides a travel bursary for research, access to a valuable network, and a community of scholars. Scholars are expected to produce a report and share their insights with relevant audiences. The scholars' projects focus on exploring production efficiency, land use, and the challenges of venture-funded ag tech startups in the UK.