Ahead Of The Field

Will meets Hayley Adkins and Ian Kemp who run Owl Farm. They chat about the challenges of keeping a number of rare breeds as pets and running a small farm, and offering holidays where guests are able to learn about the animals and farm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will chats to Harry Metcalfe, a farmer in the Cotswolds who is also a successful motoring journalist having founded Evo Magazine. They talk about Harry’s early farming education and agricultural career, getting into cars and how he’s now using his skills in creating videos to try and help explain to a wider audience what happens on his farm day-to-day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s been a worrying spike in incidents of ‘Livestock Worrying’. To understand this better and talk about what’s being done to combat it Will talks to Rob Taylor from North Wales Police rural crime team, Debs Roberts, a Scottish farmer and co-founder of ‘Ladies who Lamb’ and NFU Mutual farming specialist, David Harrison. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we start the year Will talks to four recipients of NFU Mutual awards for those studying to go in to agriculture. Ed Chaplin, Ben Chilman, Chloe Dunn, and Craig Simpson all talk about their experiences to date, their future career plans and how they see the industry going. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the clocks go back Will talks to Robin Till from NFU Mutual's Risk Management Services and PC Steven Kaminski from Cheshire Police to talk about the security challenges at this time of year, and to offer practical advice for the farming community.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will is joined by Milly  Fyfe,  who  farms  in  Northamptonshire  and  has  been  through  the  succession planning process  with  her  own  family,  Heather  Wildman  from  Saviour  Associates,  who  specializes  in  facilitating  succession  planning,  and  Sean  McCann,  a  chartered  financial  planner  from  NFU  Mutual. Together they discuss this challenging subject and offer their thoughts and advice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will is joined by Ian Maddever, an agricultural contracting expert, and Charlie Yorke from NFU Mutual to talk about agricultural contracting, how the industry has changed and the role it now plays in the farming industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will is joined by Matthew Bennett and Martin Ansell from NFU Mutual, to talk about things farmers should consider and be aware of in terms of investments and pensions. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Will is joined by Rebecca Davidson, NFU Mutual’s Rural Affairs Specialist, to talk through the results of the report and Detective Constable Chris Piggott from the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service to talk about the latest trends. Rebecca and Chris talk about crime under Coronavirus, what is being done to tackle the problem, and offer tips and advice to prevent rural crime.  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Will talks to Ruth Poulten from NFU Mutual, Jan Welch from RSABI, Mark Thomas from the Farming Community Network and Jason Alexandra from the Samaritans. They discuss how the farming community has been affected over the last few months and what is being done by charities to help. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

As the farming community gears up for harvest this year, Will speaks to one of NFU Mutual’s experts on rural affairs, David Harrison, on how to keep yourself, your employees and friends and family safe

Will records an interview with Evita Van Gestel from NFU Mutual Risk Management Services, to understand what the health and safety challenges are for farmers as a result of Coronavirus and find out about NFU Mutual’s new, free health and safety service

Will records an interview with Jim McLaren, farmer and NFU Mutual President, to get his perspective on the Coronavirus situation, and find out more about how NFU Mutual are supporting the farming community

Livestock worrying by dog has seen a significant increase in the last five years, Will speaks with one of NFU Mutual’s experts on rural affairs, David Harrison to find out more.

Find out how a farming family turned their fortunes around by diversifying into the wedding industry. Will talks to sister and brother Naomi and Andrew about the difficult decisions they needed to take and then how they’ve been able to grow business.

A happy new year from the Ahead Of The Field team and here’s a short selection of the best bits from the 2019 episodes and different farming stories.

Will heads to East Sussex to learn how an historic sheep farm survived foot and mouth by diversifying into growing vines and making award-winning wine. He goes through the whole viticulture process and also finds out how the new business co-exists in harmony with sheep herd, as well as harnessing the power of the local community.

Will is at Intelligent Growth Solutions in Scotland to understand how vertical farming works and how it can create a perfectly controlled environment for growing. He also visits CowAlert to see the latest in livestock tagging technology, and talks more widely to the experts about how agri-tech is shaping the future of farming.

With winter approaching, advice on what farmers can do to prepare for extreme weather and limit the damage – Will records this bonus episode with David Harrison – one of NFU Mutual’s experts on rural affairs.

Nicky and John Bevan have developed two luxury treehouses for paying guests. Will hears the story of how they had the idea and the hard work that went into them, and restoring the old parsonage and tithe barn, as well as the challenges of running a small farm and building up the Hereford herd.

Advice on what farmers can try and do to prevent arson attacks on hay and stray stacks - Will Evans recorded this short bonus episode with Tim Price - one of NFU Mutual's experts on rural affairs.

The NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report 2019 is out, and Will is in the Scottish Borders to talk through the findings and what’s changed in the last year. He’s joined by a number of different people on the front line of tackling rural crime and offering practical help and advice to combat the problem.

Having heard Jimmy Doherty’s story out and about on his farm, Will and Jimmy, are taking a break in the restaurant to talk about running a farming business and building a brand, and hearing about young farmers, Claire and Ben, and their ambitions .

How has Jimmy Doherty gone from living in a caravan on a derelict farm to running a highly successful diversified business? Will gets his perspective on how the industry has changed and also the thoughts of two young farmers, Claire and Ben. Part 1 is out and about on the farm.

Catherine Cunningham set herself the challenge of creating an online business from the family farm in County Antrim with a small initial investment. 5 years later, The Present Tree sells thousands of tree gifts every year, and are planning further expansion. Will Evans is in Northern Ireland to discover the secrets behind Catherine's success, and explore the benefits and challenges of diversifying without potential customers coming onto the farm.

Drones are fun to play with, but can they have a significant impact on our everyday work on the farm? What real-life farming problems can they solve? And how do you make sure you’re not breaking any laws or regulations? Will Evans visits Hampton House Farm in Warwickshire, talking to enthusiasts, experts, the Civil Aviation Authority and even the police, to bring you all the details.

On the banks of Loch Lomond, Poertnellan Organic Farm has diversified to welcome holiday makers and tourists with 4-star cottages, glamping and speedboat tours. Will Evans meets Chris Scott-Park and his father David, to hear how they've breathed new life into their business.

How could your pension help your plans to diversify your farming business? Will Evans talks to Sean McCann, a Chartered Financial Planner with NFU Mutual.

The Rhug Estate in North Wales has diversified from traditional farming to create a successful organic farm shop and take-away, including a thriving export business and the UK's first farm drive-through. Will Evans meets the owner, Lord Newborough, and his staff to hear how they did it and what other farmers could learn from their experience.

Insurance is an important factor to consider when diversifying your farming business. Whilst visiting the Ramsbury Estate, Will Evans recorded this short bonus episode with Chris Walsh - one of NFU Mutual's experts on Rural Affairs.

We visit Ramsbury Estate in North Wiltshire to hear how they've diversified their farming business with a successful brewery, distillery, charcuterie and oil press. Will Evans meets Alistair Ewing, who's managed the process every step of the way, to hear his stories and his advice for other farmers looking to diversify into the food and drink industry.

We're at Lyndon Farms in Leicestershire to hear how Simon Smith and his family have successfully diversified into agri contracting. How did they do it, and what advice do they have for other farmers thinking about making the same move?

Launching soon!