Transition Agriculture

Huge increases in farm input costs pose a massive challenge to UK growers and livestock producers, piling pressure on business cashflows.Eye-watering levels of AgInflation have seen fuel costs more than double in recent months, with fertiliser prices more than trebling.Commodity prices too have spiked on the back of global weather concerns and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, one of the world's major grain exporters.With harvest 2022 approaching in the UK, this episode of the Transition Agriculture podcast examines ways farmers can best adapt to market volatility.We speak to growers, farm business advisors and agricultural bankers – and find out how farmers can ensure their businesses have access to cash.We look at the best way to purchase farm inputs, such as feed, fuel and fertiliser – and the options when making major purchases, such as farm machinery.It comes as farmers face major changes in farm policy, including the phase-out of the basic payment scheme in England, and challenges such as climate change.Farmers in England can access business support during the early years of the agricultural transition by visiting Defra's Future Farming Resilience Fund. This episode recorded during a farm seminar held by Oxbury Bank and Ceres Rural on Thursday, 19 May 2022, at Braxted Park, Essex.This episode hosted by Farmers Weekly Transition editor Johann Tasker. For more details about the Farmers Weekly Transition project, visit www.fwi.co.uk/transition.

Transition Farmers Rachel and Richard Risdon run a grass-based herd of 300 Friesian cross Jersey  dairy cows at Bramford Speke, near Exeter, Devon.The herd is rotationally grazed and yield about 4,900 litres and 452kg of milk solids from about 650kg of concentrate.Grass is topped up with cake when necessary, focusing on having cows out grazing from calving in February until late November.The couple have three main goals: reducing their carbon footprint, understanding new agri-environment schemes, and recruiting good staff.For more about the Farmers Weekly Transition project, visit www.fwi.co.uk/transition.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Transition Agriculture podcast is hosted by Hugh Broom.

Scottish farmer Alan Steven farms cereals and fieldscale vegetables at Hillhead Farm, Kingsbarns, near St Andrew, Fife.In this episode, Alan talks about his quest to produce quality crops while overcoming the limitations of his farm business.Challenges include improving soil health, the double-edged sword of a mild coastal climate and distance to market. Alan explains how his family came to farm at Hillhead Farm, what his is striving to achieve as a farmer and his hopes for the next generation.

Beef and sheep producer James MacCartney farms near Oakham in Rutland – in the East Midlands of England.It's a 160ha grass-based farm – about 400 acres – and in his quest to become more sustainable, James says he has three key goals:Improving the grassland, gaining disease free status for his sheep flock – and reducing his carbon footprint so he is better than net zero.In this episode, we look at the challenges James faces as he strives to meet his goals – and how he hopes to overcome them.Presented by Johann Tasker with James MacCartney, Ben Wixey of Germinal, beef and sheep consultant Liz Genever and Rebecca Davenport of Rutland Veterinary Centre.

UK farmers stand on the cusp of a new agricultural revolution.Food production is their primary role.  But the need to do so sustainably has never been more important.From a focus on all-out production, there is an increasing emphasis on farming in a way that improves the environment too.Working to improve soil health, water and the air we breathe. Enhancing biodiversity. Combating climate change.Many farmers are already refocusing their businesses to ensure they remain financially viable and thrive while looking after the environment.From Farmers Weekly, this podcast explores their journey – and how farmers are working to secure a sustainable future for their farm business.