Podcasts about Harper Adams University

GB2RS News Sunday the 30th of August 2026 RSGB Board Chair change as part of planned transition Tonight@8 is back! Last chance to buy your RSGB Convention ticket at early bird prices  The RSGB Board is pleased to announce that, following its meeting on the 22nd of August 2026, Graham Smith, G4NMD has been appointed Chair of the Board. This appointment forms part of a planned and orderly leadership transition agreed by the Board. Stewart Bryant, G3YSX, who has served as Chair since 2023 with distinction, fully supports the change and will remain a Director until the 2027 AGM. He will continue to contribute his considerable experience to the Society and its activities. Licensed since 1974, Graham has been active in many areas of amateur radio, including service as an RSGB District Representative, RAYNET-UK Controller and member of the Emergency Communications and Resilience Group. Since joining the Board, he has led work on resilience, volunteer development, and governance improvement, as well as serving as Board Liaison for Training and Education. The Board looks forward to continuing its work with volunteers, members and staff across the Society as it delivers its strategic priorities and supports the amateur radio community throughout the UK and beyond. For the full announcement please see the RSGB Notices section of the RSGB website. The Tonight@8 autumn programme begins on Monday the 7th of September with an engaging webinar on amateur radio and the future of satellite communication. RSGB Board Director Patrick Wood, 2E0IFB will be delivering a presentation that will start with a brief history on the subject before looking ahead to the future. He will touch on FUNcube developments, FUNcube+ and missions such as Jovian-1, whilst also considering how radio amateurs are now using geostationary satellites like QO-100. He will also ask how radio amateurs can adapt their skills and equipment for a rapidly changing communications world. Patrick is an expert in the subject having had a 38-year career in the aerospace, defence, and space sectors, with over 30 years dedicated to the space sector. RSGB webinars are live streamed on its YouTube channel and special BATC channel, allowing you to watch the presentations and ask questions online. Find out more about September's presentation and other upcoming webinars, by going to rsgb.org/webinars The RSGB Convention ‘NanoVNA Essentials' workshop has now sold out! Make sure you don't miss out on the remaining spaces for the two other workshops by securing your ticket now. On Friday the 9th of October you can take part in a five-and-a-half-hour workshop offering practical advice on identifying the sources and mitigating the effects of Radio Frequency Interference. On the afternoon of Saturday the 10th of October or the morning of Sunday the 11th of October you can take part in a two-hour workshop offering practical and interactive exercises that show you how to use AI more effectively in your own amateur radio projects. Both workshops are available to purchase at the same time as your Convention ticket. Go to rsgb.org/convention-workshops  to book your place. Don't forget that you only have until 9am on Tuesday the 1st of September to purchase your ticket at the early bird pricing. Time is running out to submit your nominations for the annual RSGB G5RP Trophy. You have until Friday the 11th of September to send in a nominee who has recently discovered and made significant progress in HF DXing. Perhaps you know someone who has worked a good total of new countries, or perhaps they have taken part in some substantial HF DXpedition activity. Please send your nominations to RSGB HF Manager Ian Greenshields, G4FSU at hf.manager@rsgb.org.uk The DMR Youth Net, organised by the RSGB Youth Committee, is back at 7pm BST on Tuesday the 1st of September following a break over the summer holidays. Since the launch of the net in 2025, young operators have joined from across Europe to build confidence speaking on the radio, connect with fellow young operators from around the world, and join in without needing to set up antennas at home. The RSGB Youth Talk Group 23554 is available on the DVSPh and Brandmeister Networks. The net will take place on the first Tuesday of each month. We're delighted to announce that Steve Chalk achieved a Bronze Medal at the IARU Region 1 ARDF Championships in Romania last week. He was one of a small team competing on behalf of the RSGB. Steve gained his medal in the M60 category of the Sprint race, in which the transmissions are just 12 seconds in duration. Congratulations to Steve! Don't forget to listen out for the stations that are taking part in this year's British Inland Waterways on the Air event. Stations have been operating since yesterday, the 29th, and activity continues until tomorrow, Monday the 31st of August. To find out more, visit Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group's website at nharg.org.uk  and follow the ‘BIWOTA 2026' link. And now for details of rallies and events Today, the 30th, Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society Rally is taking place at Heron's Lodge Guide Activity Centre, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Milton Keynes. The doors open to the public from 9am. The entrance fee is £3 and parking is free of charge. For more information visit mkars.org.uk/mkrally Also today, the 30th, Torbay Amateur Radio Society's Annual Rally is taking place at The Courtenay Centre, Kingsteignton Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2QA. This new venue is a town centre site and is adjacent to a large car park. The entry fee is £3 and visitors are welcome from 10am. More details are available at torbayars.org Tomorrow, Monday the 31st, Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Rally will take place at Ramsey Rural Museum, Wood Lane, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire. The doors will be open to traders from 7am and to visitors from 9am. Hot and cold refreshments will be available on site. For more information email harsrally2026@hotmail.com On Sunday the 6th of September, Telford Hamfest will take place at Harper Adams University near Telford, TF10 8ND. The doors open at 10.15am. Admission costs £5 but children up to 16 will be admitted free of charge. The G-QRP Club Convention will be held at the same venue on Saturday the 5th of September. For more information contact the Hamfest team via hamfest@tdars.org.uk Now the Special Event news REP, Portugal's national amateur radio association, is active with special callsign CT100REP until the 31st of December. The station is operating to mark the group's 100th anniversary. Look for activity on the HF, VHF, and UHF bands using CW, digital modes, SSB and satellites. Now the DX news Mark, WB2OIL is active as WB2OIL/VY0 from Broughton Island, NA-130, until Tuesday the 1st of September. He is operating using CW, FT8 and SSB on the 40 to 10m bands. More information is available via QRZ.com Now the contest news The World-Wide Digi DX Contest started at 1200UTC yesterday, the 29th, and ends at 1200UTC today, Sunday the 30th of August. Using FT4 and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your four-character locator. On Tuesday the 1st of September, the RSGB 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also on Tuesday the 1st of September, the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday the 2nd, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 2nd, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest. Also, on Wednesday the 2nd, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator. The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 5th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and your age. On Saturday the 5th, the CWops CW Open takes place in three four-hour sessions between 0000 and 2359UTC. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is serial number and name. On Sunday the 6th, the Worked All Britain 144MHz SSB Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using SSB on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square. RSGB SSB Field Day, IARU Region 1 Field Day and IRTS SSB Field Day start at 1300UTC on Saturday the 5th and end at 1300UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The RSGB 144MHz Trophy Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 5th and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also on Sunday the 6th, the 5th RSGB 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 27th of August 2026. Last week we said there were no coronal holes to threaten HF propagation. However, guess what appeared just after the time of writing. Coronal holes can appear at any time, which is why we recommend going to solarham.com  for daily updates. This week another coronal hole has appeared and this one really does look like it could threaten Earth. This, coupled with coronal mass ejections, means that today, the 30th, could see the Kp index rise and maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs, fall. On a brighter note, the Kp index has been very low this past week, mostly below 2, with the result that HF propagation has been very good. Top DX being worked includes RI1FJL on Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Circle, which has been loud on many bands, right up to the 12 and 10m bands. Other DX to be worked in the coming week includes V5/HB9BFM from Namibia; J38DX and J38LD from Grenada; and P29YY working from Papua New Guinea. A quick check of the NCDXF beacon chain revealed very good propagation on 14MHz and 21MHz. This includes reception of the following beacons: CS3B in Madeira; RR90 in Siberia; 4S7B in Sri Lanka; 4X6TU in Israel; and 4U1UN in New York. So, it looks like we are starting to leave the summer doldrums and entering better autumnal HF conditions. Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be around 120, falling to 90 as the week progresses. After the potential for geomagnetic disruption this weekend, ending today the 30th, the forecast is good with a Kp index of around 2. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The weather has changed to autumnal conditions with lows bringing periods of rain or showers and quite windy conditions at times. The coming week will turn out in similar fashion and means that we won't be dealing with much, if any, tropo for VHF. The main weather-dependent mode will be rain scatter for GHz band operators. The chances of aurora will need to show a Kp index above 5 to be of much interest, and probably a bit higher for southern areas. The prospects for meteor scatter are likely to be reduced to random activity which tends to give better results in the early morning hours before dawn. Lastly, we are coming to the close of the Sporadic-E season and, with probably a week or so to play out, any openings will be few and far between. Try checking during the main operating windows of mid-morning and late afternoon. As a back-up, consider the middle of the day since towards the edges of the season the traditional timings are less reliable. For EME operators, Moon declination went positive again yesterday, the 29th, with increasing peak elevation and lengthening Moon windows. Path losses are falling all week towards perigee on Sunday the 6th of September. 144MHz sky noise is low, increasing to medium by Friday the 4th of September. And that's all from the propagation team this week.

GB2RS News Sunday the 6th of September 2026 The news headlines: Learn about HF propagation studies at the RSGB Convention Which coding activities will you be trying? WRTC 2026 results have been rescored Are you aware of the GB0PSC Baldock space weather station? The RSGB Propagation Studies Committee recently installed a HamSCI HFRx at Ofcom's spectrum monitoring site at Baldock. The station is part of HF propagation studies that will allow the Committee to learn more about space weather and its effects including radio blackouts, Doppler flashes and travelling ionospheric disturbances. You can find out how the Committee is progressing with its studies by joining Gwyn Griffiths, G3ZIL on Saturday the 10th of October at the RSGB Convention. If amateur radio construction is something you'd like to find out more about, then join RadCom Plus Editor Paul Marks, G8FVK on Sunday the 11th of October to learn about his approach to modular design of amateur radio equipment. In particular, he'll be looking at QRP HF and VHF gear, using readily available circuit boards and modules such as the AD831 RF mixer module. You can attend both lectures at the Society's annual Convention at Kents Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes between the 9th and 11th of October. Secure your place via rsgb.org/convention National Coding Week is back this month! To support radio amateurs in building their digital skills and explore the world of programming, the RSGB has shared three new activities for you to try. The first builds on the Python Pocket Morse activity developed last year and guides radio amateurs to use a BBC Micro:bit to send Morse code either on a telegraph wire or wirelessly. The second is ‘Ener-G use' which is great for unlicensed and younger radio amateurs and allows them to compare increasing forces and energy use with a fun Micro:bit activity. The third activity is based on the Raspberry Pi Pico 2W. It is a demonstration of Pulse Width Modulation and uses just a couple of components, including an LED and a resistor, and will give you a better understanding of the concept of duty cycle. All three activities are available via rsgb.org/coding  You can try them at home, set up a practical club night or use them as an activity with a youth or school group. Let the Society know how you get on by sending photos and a summary to ncw.coordinator@rsgb.org.uk by the 30th of September. Following the conclusion of the on-site WRTC 2026 adjudication process at Wyboston, UK on the 13th of July 2026, significant new information became available resulting in necessary further work by the Judging Committee. In order for the WRTC event to be reflective of the most accurate assessment of contesting conduct and ability, the Organising Committee and Sanctioning Committee agreed collectively to support this work and have now published revised scores. This report voids and replaces the previously announced results. To read the full report visit wrtc2026.org Don't forget that the RSGB Tonight@8 webinar series is back tomorrow night, Monday the 7th  of September. Join RSGB Board Director Patrick Wood, 2E0IFB live for a presentation on amateur radio and the future of satellite communication. You'll also be able to hear how you can get involved with World Space Week, which takes place from the 4th to the 10th of October. The webinar will contain lots of useful information on how your club can host an event and show that amateur radio is part of space exploration, education and communication. Watch the webinar and ask questions via the RSGB YouTube channel or special BATC channel. Find out more at rsgb.org/webinars The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station programme is an opportunity for educational organisations to host an amateur radio contact with a crew member on board the International Space Station. The window to submit an application is now open and ends on the 23rd of October 2026. This is for a contact to take place between July to December 2027. If you are a school, college, university or youth group, take a look at the information available on the ‘School Contacts' tab via ariss-eu.org  If you would like to view videos of different contacts, go to the RSGB YouTube channel at youtube.com/thersgb  and search for 'ARISS'. Don't forget to listen out for the amateur radio stations that will be on the air during International Air Ambulance Week. The event started yesterday, the 5th, and runs until Sunday the 13th of September. For more details visit tinyurl.com/IAAW2026 On Saturday the 12th of September, lots of amateur radio stations will be on the air to take part in the Churches and Chapels on the Air event, also known as CHOTA. The event will take place from 1000 to 1600UTC. Although stations will be working on a variety of bands and modes, most operating will take place on the 40m band using SSB. More details are available at wacral.org The next in the popular 145 Alive series of events takes place on Sunday the 13th of September from 1200 to 1500UTC. Many hundreds of operators are expected to be on the air using 145MHz FM and 144MHz SSB. For more information, go to the 145 Alive Facebook page or email 145aliveuk@gmail.com Please send details of all your news and events to radcom@rsgb.org.uk  The deadline for submissions is 10am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.  And now for details of rallies and events Today, Sunday the 6th of September, Telford Hamfest is taking place at Harper Adams University near Telford, TF10 8ND. The doors open at 10.15am. Admission costs £5 but children up to 16 will be admitted free of charge. For more information contact the Hamfest team via hamfest@tdars.org.uk On Saturday the 12th of September, East Midlands Ham and Electronics Rally will take place at Beckingham Village Hall, Southfield Lane, Beckingham, DN10 4FX. The doors will be open from 9.30am to 4pm and free car parking is available behind the hall. Hot food and refreshments will be available on site. More information is available via emerg.uk/rally On Sunday the 13th of September, Caister Lifeboat Radio Rally will take place at Caister Lifeboat station, Caister on Sea, NR30 5DJ. The doors will be open from 10am to 3pm and entrance is free of charge. For more information email, Zane, M1BFI via m1bfi@outlook.com Now the Special Event news Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society will be running special event station GB1PPF on Saturday the 12th of September from 9.30am until 4pm. The station will be located at St Peter and St Paul Church, Church Lane, Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire PE28 9JS. Listen for activity on the HF, VHF and UHF bands. Special event station GB0SXW will be on the air on Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of September at the Stone Cross Windmill near Eastbourne BN24 5EA. Operators will be using SSB on the HF bands and FM on the 2m band. Visitors are welcome. Find out more via QRZ.com Special event callsigns EO210WLP and EM70WWW are in use until the end of year to celebrate 210 years of Lviv Polytechnica University and 70 years of the Lviv Polytechnica club station. More information, including details of awards that are available for working the stations, is available via QRZ.com Now the DX news Gunter, DK2WH is active as V51WH and V55Y from Namibia until the 10th of October. He is operating using FT8, SSB, RTTY and some CW on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via Gunter's home call, directly or via the Bureau. Now the contest news RSGB SSB Field Day, IARU Region 1 Field Day and IRTS SSB Field Day started at 1300UTC yesterday, the 5th, and ends at 1300UTC today, Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The RSGB 144MHz Trophy Contest started at 1400UTC yesterday, the 5th, and ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The All Asian DX Contest started at 0000UTC yesterday, the 5th, and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 6th of September. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and your age. Today, the 6th, the RSGB 5th 144MHz Backpackers contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Tomorrow, the 7th, the RSGB Autumn Series SSB Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Tuesday the 8th, the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also, on Tuesday the 8th, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday the 9th, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 9th, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest. On Thursday the 10th, the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The Worked All Europe DX SSB Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 12th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 13th of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Sunday the 13th, the UK Microwave Group Millimetre Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 24 to 76GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also, on Sunday the 13th, the IRTS 70cm Counties Contest runs from 1300 to 1330UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. EI and GI stations also give their county. Also, on Sunday the 13th, the IRTS 2m Counties Contest runs from 1300 to 1500UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. EI and GI stations also give their county. Also, on Sunday the 13th, the Practical Wireless 70MHz Contest runs from 1200 to 1600UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 3rd of September 2026. Solar activity has continued to decline, leaving us with a solar flux index around 100. The upside is we haven't had any solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, to contend with. Over the last week, we had only one M-class flare and no X-class events. The solar flux index declined to 102 on Thursday the 3rd of September – down from 122 a week ago. But the Kp index has been firmly in the range of 1 to 2 which bodes well for ionospheric stability. This has led to maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs, over 3,000km being around 21 to 24MHz. However, FT8 has stretched this up to 28MHz at times. There have been some good 10m band FT8 openings to South America late in the afternoon. Chile, Brazil and Argentina were workable during these periods. DX to be worked this week includes 3W9C from Vietnam; T99PB from Palau; Z68PX in Kosovo; P29YY in Papua New Guinea; HP/WE9G from Panama; D44TWO from Cape Verde; T32AZ from East Kiribati; and J38DX and J38LD operating from Grenada. V47YA and V47RCX from St Kitts and Nevis will be active from the 8th of September until the end of the month and KH8WW, in American Samoa, will be on the air from the 10th to the 24th of September. Two rare ones to look for are VK0DS from Davis Station and VK0TBC from Casey Station, both in Antarctica. Operations are mostly using SSB and FT8, as time permits. Both stations have been spotted on the FT8 frequencies of the 20, 15 and 10m bands at times. Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain around the 100 mark. However, the good news is that, barring any flares or CMEs, the Kp index should remain low, perhaps around 2 all week. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G0KYA. The weather remains in a rather unsettled state. However, there are some signs of a transient area of high pressure brushing past the south of the country today, the 6th. This may create a chance of some tropo into the continent. This could tie in very well with the RSGB 144MHz Trophy and Backpackers Contests, which are taking place today the 6th. The unsettled pattern returns for the rest of the week and may not provide much help for the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest on Tuesday the 8th, or the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest on Thursday the 10th. In occasional bursts of heavier rain there may be some potential for rain scatter on the GHz bands. The prospects of meteor scatter remain in the random territory. So, it is best to listen just before dawn for the better chances. The solar conditions have not been very dramatic lately with the Kp index staying below 3. However, if it perks up a bit, say above 5, there may be a chance of aurora. The Sporadic-E season has more or less ended now. The next period to consider checking usually comes at the end of the year, and the first week in January, for out-of-season surprise openings. EME now, and sky noise should remain low during the coming week. Moon declination remains high. The Moon reached perigee, its closest point to Earth, yesterday, the 5th, so path losses remain low. And that's all from the propagation team this week.

Professor Ken Sloan, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Harper Adams University. Ken has extensive experience in strategy leadership, governance and commercial activities gained through both the Higher Education and private sectors, and he became a VC through a non-academic route. In this episode, we discuss his leadership of this specialist university, including its strategic focus, living the institutional values, the role of entrepreneurship and his overall optimism about the future. We also reflect more broadly on the vital role of specialist institutions and why a diverse UK HE sector can and should be maintained. This episode is kindly sponsored by GatenbySanderson, the UK's leadership expert across public services, not for profit and education. We partner with universities to find and place exceptional HE leaders and develop their teams – improving leadership performance, inclusivity and accelerating change. The Association of Higher Education Professionals and the British Universities FInance Directors Group, BUFDG, are both proud to support Job Shadowing HE as a valuable source of professional insight.

Forget the headline battles over “cow versus climate.” We dig into how livestock, managed within a circular bioeconomy, can actually reduce risk, recover nutrients, and improve the food we eat. With Professor Michael Lee of Harper Adams University, we connect the dots between soil carbon, methane chemistry, and what ends up on your plate, showing why measuring only gross emissions per kilogram misses the true picture of sustainable dairy and beef.We start by reframing circular farming: crops generate non‑edible biomass and the food industry creates co‑products; ruminants turn those streams into milk and meat while producing organic manures that, with new stripping and separation technologies, return nitrogen and phosphorus to the fields that need them. That reduces dependence on mined phosphate and fossil‑fuel fertiliser and strengthens soil health and biodiversity. We also unpack the geopolitics of nutrients, from export controls to the hidden carbon cost of extraction, and why better manure management is both an agronomy win and a climate hedge.Then we get precise about methane. Biogenic methane sits in a short‑lived natural cycle; thermogenic methane from fossil sources adds new carbon to the atmosphere. Agriculture must cut emissions, and can, through genetics, feed, and efficiency. But farms are too often judged on gross emissions while their removals through soils, hedgerows, and trees are booked elsewhere. Case studies from Ireland show how net accounting can reveal major improvements and, in some systems, net‑zero performance. The takeaway is clear: measure net, reward verified removals, and avoid a carbon‑only lens that ignores biodiversity, water, and rural livelihoods.Finally, we get practical about what to eat. We don't eat by the kilogram; we eat for nutrients. Animal‑source foods provide highly bioavailable protein and hard‑to‑get micronutrients, while plant foods supply the fibre most of us lack. Ultra‑processed “plant” proteins often strip out that fibre. A smarter plate is plant‑rich, fibre‑dense, and includes modest amounts of unprocessed dairy and meat. Using more of the carcass, including offal, cuts waste and boosts nutrient density.If this conversation changed how you think about livestock, sustainability, and nutrition, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your feedback helps more people find evidence‑based farming stories that matter.This was recorded in October 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.Send a textFor more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can email us directly at podcast@chewinthecud.com

Today we explore the Agri Wellbeing Alliance, launched at LAMMA in January to strengthen mental health and wellbeing across agriculture. A recent study led by Professor David Rose at Harper Adams University for the alliance highlights the urgent need to widen the safety net of support for farming communities, including better help for those who find themselves acting as accidental counsellors.Joining us today are Petra Martin from Agrii, Professor David Rose from Harper Adams University, and Sam Downey from Mates in Mind. Agrii can help future-proof your farm by growing a diverse range of crops together with comprehensive advice on environmental and sustainable business opportunities. For more information, visit www.agrii.co.uk/sustainability 

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Professor David Rose, Elizabeth Creak Chair in Sustainable Agricultural Change at Harper Adams University (UK), about speaking at the 4th International Precision Dairy Farming Conference in Christchurch this week, the role of social science in precision dairy research and farmer behaviour when it comes to change... And he talks with Henry Caulton, Cardrona Distillery Acting Managing Director, about celebrating the distillery's 10th anniversary, the success of its products and his association with Distilled Spirits Aotearoa. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

This week on the podcast we examine how Budget 2025 reshapes the university funding model – from the international levy and modest new maintenance grants, to confirmed tuition fee uplifts and changes to pension tax arrangements that will affect institutional costs. We discuss what the package tells us about the government's approach to public finances, the politics of international recruitment, and the sustainability of cross-subsidy in a tight fiscal environment for higher education.Plus we discuss research and innovation announcements and get across debate in Holyrood on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill.With Ken Sloan, Vice-Chancellor and CEO at Harper Adams University, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe, David Kernohan, Deputy Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.Budget 2025 for universities and studentsUniversities now need to be much clearer about the total cost of a courseStudent finance changes in the budget – Director's cutReclassification ghosts and jam tomorrow at stage 2 of Scotland's tertiary billA government running out of road still sets the economic weather for higher educationA change in approach means research may never be the same again

As part of our special podcast series brought to you by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University, this episode looks at what a sustainable farming future really looks like, and how to achieve it. Some of last year's panellists join us once again to talk about getting MP's on farm and how sustainable farming systems can benefit you financially.Message us

The NHS, the health of the nation and the role farmers play in providing food for the public sector is a hot topic of conversation, and in this episode, which is part of a special podcast series brought to you by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University, we look at the connection between farmers, food and health. How can we get more British produce in hospitals and schools? Does the country's shopping habits need to change? Do farming methods change the nutritional value of food? Ed Brown, head of farming at WildFarmed, Rosa Holt, a nutritionist and Emily Linton, a vet, discuss all of this.Message us

Sophie Bell is 26 years old and she farms 59 acres just outside Virginia in Cavan. Having studied agriculture in Harper Adams University in the UK, she returned home and two years ago went into partnership with her father.

As part of our special podcast series brought to you by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University, this episode looks at resilience, and that comes in many forms, from financial resilience to futureproofing farming's labour workforce with new people. To delve into this topic, we are joined by farmer Jonathan Hockley, agronomist Louise Penn and agronomist Ben Allard. Brought to you by  @_TheSSFF  https://www.schoolofsustainablefoodandfarming.org/Message us

As part of our special podcast series brought to you by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University, this episode discusses sustainable farming practices and how to encourage the widespread adoption of such practices across the industry.  Leprino Foods' sustainability manger Ben Williams, Liz Bowles, a net zero consultant and Wallace Currie from the AgriTech Centre discuss what sustainability truly means, the impact of changing policy and how farm businesses must work to their own strengths and needs in order to future-proof their business.Brought to you by  @_TheSSFF  https://www.schoolofsustainablefoodandfarming.org/Message us

In this Episode Ed Talks with Dr. Matt Back and Dr. Kasia Dybal of Harper Adams University. We discussed the complicated system of potato cyst nematode in the United Kingdom. Additional Resources https://www.pcnhub.ac.uk/ https://horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/pcn-grower-guide https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/pest-management/idahopcn https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20220386636 https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20220386629 https://bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ppa.13002 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929139315300135?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=91f05c443bd3ad00 How to cite the podcast: Zaworski, E. (Host) Back, M. and Dybal, K. (Interviewees). S4:E21 (Podcast). Tubers of Terror: Unearthing the Potato Cyst Nematode Part 3. 5/21/25. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. Transcript

In this week's Podcast: I'm back after my visit to the Harper Adams University in Shropshire for the annual British Beekeepers Association, Spring Convention, and what a great time it was. Details of my trip coming up and also, some thoughts about the development of our colonies right now. Hi, I'm Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 342 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey CompanyBritish Beekeepers AssociationNorthumberland HoneyTrap-X Hornet TrapThorne BeehivesOz armour Bee SuitsModern BeekeepingNational Bee UnitSimon The BeekeeperHive Five Multi Guard EntrancesJoin Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access HereStewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click HereTwitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our FeedInstagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great PhotographsSign Up for my email updates by visiting my website hereSupport the show

In this Episode Ed Talks with Dr. Matt Back and Dr. Kasia Dybal of Harper Adams University. We discussed the complicated system of potato cyst nematode in the United Kingdom. Additional Resources https://www.pcnhub.ac.uk/ https://horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/pcn-grower-guide https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/pest-management/idahopcn https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20220386636 https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20220386629 https://bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ppa.13002 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929139315300135?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=91f05c443bd3ad00 How to cite the podcast: Zaworski, E. (Host) Back, M. and Dybal, K. (Interviewees). S4:E20 (Podcast). Tubers of Terror: Unearthing the Potato Cyst Nematode Part 2. 5/14/25. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. Transcript

In this Episode Ed Talks with Dr. Matt Back and Dr. Kasia Dybal of Harper Adams University. We discussed the complicated system of potato cyst nematode in the United Kingdom. Additional Resources https://www.pcnhub.ac.uk/ https://horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/pcn-grower-guide https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/pest-management/idahopcn https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20220386636 https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20220386629 https://bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ppa.13002 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929139315300135?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=91f05c443bd3ad00 How to cite the podcast: Zaworski, E. (Host) Back, M. and Dybal, K. (Interviewees). S4:E19 (Podcast). Tubers of Terror: Unearthing the Potato Cyst Nematode Part 1. 5/7/25. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. https://sites.libsyn.com/416264/s4e19-tubers-of-terror-unearthing-the-potato-cyst-nematode-part-1  

In this episode we're diving into the big topic of land use. Joining host Peter Green is Professor John Gilliland OBE, a farmer from Northern Ireland. John is also Professor of Practice in Agriculture and Sustainability at Queens University, Belfast. He's an advisor for AHDB, Chair of Sustainable Farm Networks at Harper Adams University, a former President of Ulster Farmers Union and has experience in many other roles besides. Peter asks John about his experience and views with regards to the land sharing v land sparing debate, especially what he has been doing and seeing on his farm in Northern Ireland. They also discuss baselining and use of data when it comes to land use to see what we could learn in the south west of England. Are there topics you'd like us to cover or guests you'd love to hear from? Get in touch by emailing us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk or by connecting with us on our socials @cornishmutual. Your feedback helps us shape the podcast to meet your needs.Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.ukFor our podcast disclaimer click here. If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk Timestamps00:15 Peter introduces the episode.01:29 John comes in.01:48 John gives more detail on his background in farming and sustainability. 02:49 John's broader experience and how they have impacted his perspective on sustainable agriculture. 04:56 John's estate in Northern Ireland.06:55 Looking at things through a different lens. 09:00 Farmers run complex businesses that are all disconnected. 10:45 The Land Use Framework11:11 Baselining project in Northern Ireland13:00 Carrots and sticks.15:40 Does this feel too good to be true?17:00 The need to measure. 20:00 Empowering farmers to make their own decisions. 20:22 How does this relate to the south west of England?21:19 ARC Zero24:05 The various land uses on John's farm.26:55 Peter rounds up.27:12 Showstoppers29:38 Peter rounds up the episode as a whole.   

In this episode Ed Taks with Dr. Mathew Back of Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom, Dr. Luís Bonifácio and  Dr. Maria de Lurdes Inácio of Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV) in Portugal and Dr. Manuel Galvão de Melo e Mota of Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias in Portugal. They discuss the worldwide impacts of pine with disease (PWD) and the issues that have arisen in Portugal due to this complex system. Additional Resources https://bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ppa.13875 How to cite the podcast: Zaworski, E. (Host) Back, M.A., Bonifcaio, L., Inacio, M.L. and Mota, M. (Interviewees). S3:E47 (Podcast). Nematode Nightmare: The Worldwide Impact of Pine Wilt Disease Part 2. 2/5/25. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Today we welcome Barbara Bray onto the R2Kast. Barbara's career in food and nutrition is nothing short of extraordinary, spanning global consultancy, policy work, and leadership in the agri-food sector.

In this episode Ed Taks with Dr. Mathew Back of Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom, Dr. Luís Bonifácio and  Dr. Maria de Lurdes Inácio of Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV) in Portugal and Dr. Manuel Galvão de Melo e Mota of Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias in Portugal. They discuss the worldwide impacts of pine with disease (PWD) and the issues that have arisen in Portugal due to this complex system. Additional Resources https://bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ppa.13875 How to cite the podcast: Zaworski, E. (Host) Back, M.A., Bonifcaio, L., Inacio, M.L. and Mota, M. (Interviewees). S3:E46 (Podcast). Nematode Nightmare: The Worldwide Impact of Pine Wilt Disease Part 1. 1/29/25. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Presenta: Surco Seguros En Conexión Interior nos adentramos a conocer más acerca de la agroecología, la regeneración y la salud del suelo.  Para eso, conversamos En Perspectiva con la Ing. Agr. Pilar Pampín Martinez, magister en Agroecología de la Harper Adams University en Reino Unido) y una apasionada en la materia.

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at Harper Adams University in Shropshire.Recorded in front of a live studio audience, farmers, students and other guests quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues.This episode focuses on the impact of the autumn 2024 Budget decision to impose 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth more than £1m.Our panel is:- Julia Buckley, Labour MP for Shrewsbury- Jeremy Moody, secretary to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers- Clive Bailye, farmer and founder of The Farming Forum- Kelly Seaton, dairy farmer and AHDB knowledge exchange manager- Professor Karl Behrendt, of the Global Institute for Agri-Tech EconomicsSponsored by Lantra, this Farmers Weekly Question Time event was recorded in front of a live studio audience on Thursday, 14 November, 2024.Hosted by Farmers Weekly Podcast editor Johann Tasker. To attend future Farmers Weekly Question Time events, visit fwi.co.uk/questiontime.

GB2RS News Sunday the 1st of September The news headlines: RSGB collaborates on a special contact with the International Space Station The RSGB's Tonight@8 webinar autumn programme starts tomorrow, the 2nd The RSGB is getting ready for National Coding Week We are delighted to announce that the Radio Society of Great Britain and ARISS, in conjunction with Girlguiding Surrey West and Brooklands Museum including the Innovation Academy, have been collaborating on a special event due to take place on Saturday the 5th of October. Girlguiding President, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a planned contact with the International Space Station as part of a visit to promote the engagement and involvement of girls and young women in science, technology, engineering and maths. Further details of the contact and the event will be announced in late September. The RSGB's autumn Tonight@8 programme starts this Monday, the 2nd of September. Brian Coleman, G4NNS will give an update on the Meteor Beacon Project which is a cooperation between the worlds of amateur radio and astronomy. The first phase of this project was completed in May 2022 when the UK meteor beacon GB3MBA went on the air from the Sherwood Observatory of the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society. It enabled studies of meteor events over the UK using simple equipment and made possible a range of STEM projects featuring radio and astronomy. The second phase of the project, which Brian will describe in the presentation, is to develop a network of receivers streaming their data via a central server for detailed studies of individual meteor events. You can watch and ask questions live on the RSGB YouTube channel or a special BATC channel. To find out more go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/webinars The RSGB is getting ready for National Coding Week which begins on the 16th of September. This national event is in its 11th year and encourages people of all ages to try coding, or programming as it is also called. During the next few days, the RSGB's Outreach Team will release two new coding activities for you to try on your own, with members of your local club, or at a school or other youth group. These are in addition to the seven activities the Society shared last year. This is a great opportunity to see how coding can link with your usual amateur radio activities, or for you to try something new. If you are planning an activity or an event or would like some support, please email the RSGB National Coding Week Coordinator Nigel Thrower, G3YSW via ncw@rsgb.org.uk  You can find the coding activities on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/coding The British Science Association has announced that applications for kick-start grants will open on the 17th of September 2024. The grants are provided to help schools in challenging circumstances to deliver events and activities as part of British Science Week. To find out more visit the British Science Week website and enter ‘Grant applications for British Science Week 2025' in the search box located in the top right-hand corner. If you need some inspiration on how to get involved, the RSGB is already planning for the March event. You can go to rsgb.org/bsw to find out more, as well as to view activity ideas and lesson plans from previous years. If you'd like to get involved or have any questions, you can email the RSGB British Science Week Coordinator, Ian Neal, M0KEO at bsw@rsgb.org.uk RSGB Members can ensure that they are the first to hear about the Society's online webinars and events by registering to receive updates by email. Simply log into the RSGB members' portal, select the ‘Manage Preferences' tab and click the online events option. By selecting this preference you'll be kept up to date on events such as the Tonight@8 webinars, which are already shaping up to have a brilliant programme for the Autumn. Keep an eye on your mailboxes for more news about these soon. Don't forget that the popular Churches and Chapels on the Air event, also known as CHOTA, is taking place on Saturday the 14th of September. Lots of stations will be on the air from 10 am to 4 pm so please give them a call. The operation will be focused on the 80, 40 and 20m bands. To see the list of churches and chapels taking part visit the ‘CHOTA' tab on the World Association of Christian Radio Amateurs and Listeners website at wacral.org The RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park, or NRC, will be closed for one day on Monday the 16th of September to allow time for some minor decorating and cleaning. Don't forget that RSGB members can gain free entry to Bletchley Park and the NRC by downloading a voucher from rsgb.org/bpvoucher And now for details of rallies and events Telford Hamfest is taking place today, Sunday the 1st of September at Harper Adams University near Newport, Shropshire. The doors open at 10.15 am and admission is £5. Children up to the age of 16 will be admitted free of charge. Free parking, catering, an RSGB bookstall, and a bring-and-buy area are available on site. For more details visit tdars.org.uk or email John, M0JZH at hamfest@tdars.org.uk The Caister Lifeboat Radio Rally is due to take place on Sunday the 8th of September at Caister Lifeboat station, Caister on Sea, NR30 5DJ. The doors will be open from 9 am to 8 pm and there is no admission fee. Sellers can gain access from 8 am. For more information email Zane, M1BFI via m1bfi@outlook.com or phone 07711 214 790. The Broadcast Engineering Museum near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire is new and a work in progress, so it only opens a few days each year. The next open days are coming up on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of September from 11 am to 4 pm. The Museum contains a vast collection of historic broadcasting equipment and memorabilia, some restored and working, on display in a former RAF sergeants' mess. Free parking is available on-site. For more information email contactus@becg.org.uk or visit becg.org.uk Now the Special Event news Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is taking part in Churches and Chapels on the Air again this year with special event station GB2SCC. The station will be operating on Saturday the 14th of September from 0900 to 1500UTC on the 40 and 17m bands using SSB. Operators will also be available for VHF and UHF FM calls. For more information see QRZ.com Austin, M0MNE, who is a marine engineer in the Merchant Navy, will be operating special callsign GB0MND on the HF Bands and flying the British Red Ensign from the seafaring town of South Shields, home of the world's longest-operating marine training college. This is to commemorate Merchant Navy Day on the 3rd of September and the merchant seafarers all over the world who work tirelessly, day in and day out, keeping global trade afloat. The station will operate from the 3rd of September until World Maritime Day on the 26th of September. On the 3rd of September, Austin will be concentrating on SSB and CW on the 40, 20 and 15m bands. During the rest of the month, he will be working on all bands using SSB, CW, FT8, and digital modes such as Olivia, Domino, Hell and SSTV. More information about the station and Merchant Navy Day is available via QRZ.com Callington and District Amateur Radio Society will activate Special Event Station GB0EKF for the annual Esedhvos Kernow Festival of Cornish Culture which this year is being held in Callington, Cornwall on Saturday the 7th of September. Listen out for GB0EKF on the local repeaters, HF bands and via the QO-100 satellite. Now the DX news Domenico, IK1MNF is active as IK1MNF/IA5 from Isola d'Elba, EU-028, until the end of September. He is operating using SSB on the 20 to 6m bands. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log and Logbook of the World. Yann, F1SMB is active as FO/F1SMB from French Polynesia until the 15th of September. His main QTH will be Tahiti, OC-046, with a side trip to Fakarava, OC-066. Usually, he operates FT8 and SSB on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL to F1SMB directly or via the Bureau, Logbook of the World or eQSL. Now the contest news The UK and Ireland Contest Club DX SSB Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 31st of August and runs until 1200UTC today, the 1st of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. UK and Ireland stations also send their district code. The Worked All Britain DX Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 31st of August and ends at 1200UTC today, the 1st of September. The exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square, where applicable. Entries need to be with the contest manager by the 11th of September. Visit the Worked All Britain website for more information and to read more on the rules for the contest. Tomorrow, the 2nd, the Autumn Series SSB Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Tuesday the 3rd, the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also, on Tuesday the 3rd, the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday the 4th, the 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 4th, the 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest. Also, on Wednesday the 4th of September, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator. SSB Field Day runs from 1300UTC on Saturday the 7th to 1300UTC on Sunday the 8th of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The 144MHz Trophy Contest runs from 1400UTC on Saturday the 7th to 1400UTC on Sunday the 8th of September. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Saturday the 7th, the CWops CW Open takes place in three four-hour sessions between 0000 and 2359UTC. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is serial number and name. The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 7th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 8th of September. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and your age. On Sunday the 8th, the 5th 144MHz Backpackers Contest takes runs from 1100 to 1500UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also on Sunday the 8th, the Worked All Britain 2m QRO Phone Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using AM, FM and SSB on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 29th of August 2024 We had a good week for HF propagation, at least until we had a Kp index of 5.67 on Wednesday the 28th. This was caused by the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field moving into a south-pointing position. Luckily, it didn't last long and geomagnetic conditions were back to normal by Thursday. The solar flux index remains above 200 with no sign of it dropping. But solar flare activity has not diminished either with 16 M-class flares over the past seven days and more than 60 C-class events. There remains a 55% chance of a further M-class flare and a 10% chance of an X-class event. Tuesday the 27th saw some good activity on the upper HF bands with the 10m band opening up at times. VK has been heard on 28MHz in the mornings, which bodes well for the coming months. The top DX choice this week has been CY9C on Saint Paul Island near Newfoundland. The team is active on all bands until the 5th of September using CW, SSB, FT8, Super Fox and RTTY. VOACAP Online shows that the 20 and 17m bands offer the best chance for a contact and are open from 0900 to 2000 UTC. The 30m band is another strong contender from 2000 to 1000 UTC. Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will start at around 250 but could end the week at 275. As always, it estimates the Kp index will be at 2 all week, but this will depend upon coronal mass ejections, so keep an eye on solarham.com for daily updates. If a solar flare and associated coronal mass ejections do occur, expect the Kp index to rise after about 48 hours, with a lowering of the maximum useable frequency. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The autumn season usually brings thoughts of Tropo since areas of high pressure can often be a feature of this time of year. Most models predict that there will be high pressure moving in to offer Tropo conditions today, the 1st. Thereafter, the models differ, and some bring low pressure over the country for much of the coming week, while others maintain a high-pressure story and the continuation of Tropo. This is potentially useful for the 144MHz UK Activity Contest on Tuesday and Wednesday and, if it lasts, the 144MHz Trophy Contest next weekend along with the Backpackers contest on Sunday the 8th. With the uncertain feel of the forecast at the moment, we may find rain scatter is the main option on the GHz bands. Meteor scatter is again reduced to non-shower random events with just a minor shower, the Aurigids, peaking on the 31st of August. This shower has produced brief unexpected outbursts with a zenithal hourly rate of around 30 to 50 per hour in 1935, 1986, 1994 and 2019. Random meteor flux is at its annual maximum in September with relatively good rates, especially during morning hours. Pre-dawn is the best time to try. The solar conditions continue to provide chance auroras. Keep one eye on the Kp index and lock the frequency of some northern European beacons into your rig's memory. Lastly, it's the nominal end of the 2024 summer Sporadic-E season and the daily blogs on Propquest have finished. However, some years can produce surprise Sporadic-E events during the first week of September. Moon declination starts the weekend still high but falling, going negative again on Thursday the 5th. So, Moon visibility windows will also fall, as will the peak Moon elevation. Moon apogee is also next Thursday so path losses are still increasing. 144MHz sky noise is low until Monday but, shortly after moonrise that day, the Sun and the Moon become close in the sky and continue to be until after moonset on Tuesday. This means sky noise will be very high, especially at VHF, due to wide antenna beamwidths.  And that's all from the propagation team this week.

GB2RS News Sunday the 25th of August 2024 The news headlines: The RSGB 2024 Convention will feature a microcontroller programming workshop You can take the RSGB Morse competency test at National Hamfest this year RSGB Board Director Peter Bowyer, G4MJS to take on Board Liaison roles for contesting and trophies At this year's RSGB Convention, there will be a workshop to introduce attendees to microcontroller programming through a short presentation followed by practical exercises. The Society aims to widen the programming skills in the amateur radio community and introduce individuals to radio-related usage of Micro Controller Units, or MCUs. If you attend the workshop, you will receive a genuine Arduino board, a set of DuPont wires, a breadboard and two specific devices which you will be able to take away with you at the end of the workshop. The exercises will take you through using the Arduino IDE, basic programming and interfacing to the provided devices. You need to pre-register as spaces are limited to just 20 people. The workshop and hardware are free, but in return for the £10 booking fee, you will receive a copy of the book “Microcontroller Know How” by Mark Jones, G0MGX. You must be a ticket holder for the Convention to be able to take part. To find out more and to book your place, go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/convention and choose the workshops and forums tab on the right-hand menu. If you're going to the National Hamfest on the 27th and 28th of September, why not try the RSGB Morse competency test? You don't have to book in advance, just visit the RSGB village area. You can be tested at 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 or 30 words per minute so you don't have to be a CW expert. If you pass the test, you'll either receive a certificate on the day or it will be sent to you electronically shortly after. Eric Arkinstall, M0KZB is the RSGB Morse Competency Project Lead and he will guide you through the test process. If you don't want to do the test you can still drop in to try Morse for the first time or pick up some hints and tips. It will be a busy event so whilst there will be headphones available, you're welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Eric looks forward to seeing you at the event! If you have any questions, please contact Eric via morse.tests@rsgb.org.uk   The RSGB Board Chair has announced that new Director Peter Bowyer, G4MJS will take on the Board Liaison roles for contesting and trophies. If you would like to contact Peter, his email address is g4mjs@rsgb.org.uk This year's Youngsters on the Air camp in the Czech Republic finished on Friday the 23rd of August after an action-packed week. The RSGB representative Rhys Williams, M0WGY took part in a range of amateur radio activities that included kit building, ARDF and surface-mount technology as well as a day trip into Prague. Rhys also made the most of the great station setup and enjoyed plenty of airtime. This included making over 100 QSOs on the 40m band whilst operating special callsign OL24YOTA, which he has said was good to practise his pile-up management. You can read more from Rhys by going to rsgb.org/yota-camp and reading his daily blog. This year's camp was organised by the IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group together with the Czech Radio Club. The next event in the popular 145 Alive series takes place on Sunday the 29th of September 2024. The event will run from 1 pm to 4 pm and there will be nets operating in most Maidenhead Squares across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. To take part in the event, which is designed to promote FM activity on the 2m band, all you need to do is call in and make contact with others. The organisers are looking for more net controllers. If you would like to run a net, contact Mark Savage, M0XIC via the 145 Alive Facebook page. The date has been confirmed for the Twelfth Scottish Microwave Round Table GMRT. The event will take place on Saturday the 9th of November 2024 at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife. Lunch will be provided and an optional dinner will be held in the evening at a local hotel. The programme is now confirmed and online booking is available via the GMRT website at gmroundtable.org.uk or by emailing Colin, GM4HWO at gm4hwo@gmail.com National Hamfest is only a few weeks away. Early-bird advance tickets are currently available but this offer finishes on Saturday the 31st of August. Visit nationalhamfest.org.uk for more details and booking information. And finally, don't forget to listen out for all the stations that are on the air for the British Inland Waterways on the Air event this weekend. To read more about the event visit Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group's website at nharg.org.uk and follow the ‘BIWOTA 2024' link.  And now for details of rallies and events Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society Rally is taking place today, the 25th. The venue is Heron's Lodge Guide Activity Centre, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Milton Keynes, MK8 9AA. The doors open to the public from 9 am. The entrance fee is £3 and free parking is available. For trader and exhibitor enquiries please email rally@mkars.org.uk  Outdoor pitches and indoor tables are available. For more information visit mkars.org.uk Torbay Annual Communications Fair is also taking place today, the 25th, at Newton Abbot Racecourse, TQ12 3AF from 10 am. This is an indoor event with free parking, a bring-and-buy area, an RSGB bookstall and on-site catering. For more information email rally@tars.org.uk Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society Annual Rally is taking place tomorrow, Monday the 26th, at Ernulf Academy, St Neots, PE19 2SH. The gates open for traders at 7 am and for the public at 9 am. The entrance fee is £3. Free car parking, an RSGB bookstall, a bring-and-buy area, catering, and indoor and outdoor stalls will be available. For more information email henry_hirst@hotmail.com or phone 01480 214282. Saffron Walden Radio Ham and CB Club Rally will run from Friday the 30th of August to Sunday the 1st of September in the CM22 6BH area. For more information about fees, and directions, visit the event's Facebook page or email swrc73@gmail.com Telford Hamfest is set to take place on Sunday the 1st of September at Harper Adams University near Newport, Shropshire. The doors open at 10.15 am and admission is £5. Children up to age 16 will be admitted free of charge. Free parking, catering, an RSGB bookstall, and a bring-and-buy area will be available on site. For more details visit tdars.org.uk or email John, M0JZH at hamfest@tdars.org.uk September marks the golden anniversary of the G-QRP Club, which was started by the Reverend George Dobbs, G3RJV in 1974. The Club will be marking its 50th anniversary at its annual Convention over the weekend of the 31st of August to the 1st of September. The event takes place in parallel with the Telford Hamfest at the Harper Adams University Campus near Newport, Shropshire. Following a buildathon and social supper on the Saturday, there are a number of speakers lined up on Sunday, including Hans Summers, G0UPL talking about his QRP kits. Non-members are welcome to come along on the Sunday and enjoy the Hamfest and the G-QRP Club talks. Full details are on the G-QRP Club website at gqrp.com  Following the Convention, the Club is running an activity period called ‘Low and Clear' throughout September. A number of QRP stations are being activated across the UK and in other countries, with ‘LOW' or ‘QRP' in their special callsigns. Stations working a number of them will receive a certificate, and the ‘best' logs will be awarded prizes which have been donated by traders who advertise in the Club's journal Sprat. Again, details can be found on the Club's website. You can find details of a new RSGB book celebrating 50 years of the G-QRP Club in the September issue of RadCom. Now the Special Event news Special callsign YQ60YODXC is active until the 31st of August to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the YO DX Club. For details of certificates that are available, see QRZ.com Marking the 25th anniversary since Poland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, special callsign HF25NATO will be active until the 31st of August. QSL via Logbook of the World or Club Log's OQRS. A certificate will be available for download via tinyurl.com/hf25nato Now the DX news Today, the 25th, a team from Guernsey Amateur Radio Society is operating a Parks on the Air station on Lihou Island, just off the coast of Guernsey. The park reference for the location is GG-0005 and activity is planned from 6 am to 3 pm. Operators will be using SSB and data modes on the HF bands but will also be available on the 2m band for local calls. Alex, SQ9UM is active as D4UM from Sal Island, AF-086, in Cape Verde until tomorrow, the 26th. He is operating CW, SSB, FT8 and FT4 on the 80 to 6m bands. QSL via Alex's home call. QSOs will be uploaded to ClubLog. Holger, DG3FEH is active as S79/DG3FEH from Mahe [MA-HAY], AF-024, in the Seychelles until the 27th of August. He is operating using SSB on the 40, 20 and 15m bands and also via the QO-100 satellite. QSL via the Bureau to Holger's home call. Now the contest news The World-Wide Digi DX Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 24th of August and runs until 1200UTC today, Sunday the 25th of August. Using FT4 and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your four-character locator. Today, the 25th, the UK Microwave Group 5.7 and 10GHz Contest runs from 0600 to 1800UTC. Using all modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Tuesday the 27th, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1830 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 2.3 to 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The UK and Ireland Contest Club DX SSB Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 31st of August and runs until 1200UTC on Sunday the 1st of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. UK and Ireland stations also send their district code. The Worked All Britain DX Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 31st of August and runs until 1200UTC on Sunday the 1st of September. The exchange is a report, serial number and Worked All Britain square, where applicable. Entries need to be with the contest manager by the 11th of September. Visit the Worked All Britain website for more information and to read more on the rules for the contest. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 22nd of August 2024 We had yet another week with a high solar flux and relatively calm geomagnetic conditions. The solar flux index ended up at 239 on Thursday the 22nd, while the Kp index has been below 4 since Sunday the 18th. There are currently 11 active sunspot regions on the Sun's surface and there is a 20% chance of a major X-class solar flare according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. There are signs that HF propagation may be improving, but it will probably be another month or so before we see any large change. This is due to the summer doldrums that see the ionosphere harder to ionise due to a change in its chemical composition. By mid to late September, we will start to see a change to autumnal conditions and DX will start to open up again on the higher bands. Having said that, there is still DX to be had. The N5J DXpedition to Jarvis Island in the Pacific Ocean proved that the DX is workable, but the path was mainly open to well-equipped stations with beams and linear amplifiers. 15m remains the best DX band and there are occasional openings on the 12m band. The 10m band may come into its own as we head into September and October. According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, solar cycle 25 likely reached its highest sunspot number yet of at least 299 on the 8th of August. This may increase further, but we may be close to solar maximum. Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain around 200 to 210. Geomagnetic conditions will depend almost entirely on the occurrence of coronal mass ejections, or CMEs. And, as we are at a particularly active part of the solar cycle, flares and CMEs are very prevalent. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The overview for the coming week is that, although some fronts will affect the north and west at times, there are only a few that reach down to the southeast of Britain. This means that rain scatter is more likely in northern areas. There will be weak high pressure over southern areas for much of the coming week and, although not enough for a full-blown Tropo event, conditions should be a little ‘up', especially for paths into the near continent or across the North Sea. Meteor scatter is back to a more random approach since the broad peak of the August Perseids comes to an end. The solar conditions mean that auroras can be a possible element of operating excitement in the coming week. Remember to look out for a disturbed Kp index value of 6 or greater. The last part of the sporadic-E season is playing out this week taking us to the end of the month. These 'last hurrahs' are usually characterised by QSOs of very limited duration on the 10m band, or perhaps up to 6m, and mainly over the southern half of Europe. This usually favours southern UK stations but, notwithstanding the previous comments, some years have seen isolated Sporadic-E events in the first part of September. But they are certainly not reliable. Moon declination is positive but still rising, reaching maximum on Wednesday, so long Moon visibility windows and high peak elevations continue. We are past perigee now, so path losses are increasing again. 144MHz sky noise is low but increasing to a moderate 500 Kelvin on Wednesday before falling back to low at the end of the week.  And that's all from the propagation team this week.

In this episode of The AgCulture Podcast, Sam Watson Jones, co-founder of the Small Robot Company, continues the discussion about the challenges and successes in the ag tech sector. He reflects on the future of agriculture and the potential for AI and robotics to revolutionize farming practices. Tune in to explore the future of farming and the critical role of technology in agriculture. This episode was sponsored by: https://www.bankbarn.io/ (00:00) Introduction (04:05) AI's role in agriculture (08:20) Per Plant Farming (15:23) Scaling ag tech innovations (20:31) Global perspective (30:05) The future of venture capital (57:31) Closing thoughts Meet the guest: Sam Watson Jones is a fourth-generation farmer from Shropshire, England, and co-founder of Small Robot Company, which pioneered Per Plant Farming technology. As a Nuffield Scholar, he explored AI's potential in global agriculture. Sam also serves as a Non-Executive Director and technology coach for startups. He holds a BA from Newcastle University and a PhD in Farm and Agribusiness Management from Harper Adams University. Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast". This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices. Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world. "Ag Culture'' will aim to inspire agricultural entrepreneurs and innovators weekly. Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe at the AgCulture Site and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

In this episode of The AgCulture Podcast, Sam Watson Jones, a fourth-generation farmer and co-founder of the Small Robot Company explores the evolution of his family farm in Shropshire, England, and his journey from a technology consultant to an innovative agripreneur. Sam discusses the integration of technology in agriculture, long-term investment strategies, and his approach to managing family businesses. Listen now and be inspired by Sam's vision and passion for transforming agriculture. (00:00) Introduction (02:30) Sam's farming background (05:05) Embracing technology in farming (14:06) Long-term investment strategies (20:30) Strategic investments beyond farming (29:56) Future growth opportunities (48:33) Closing thoughts Meet the guest: Sam Watson Jones is a fourth-generation farmer from Shropshire, England, and co-founder of Small Robot Company, which pioneered Per Plant Farming technology. As a Nuffield Scholar, he explored AI's potential in global agriculture. Sam also serves as a Non-Executive Director and technology coach for startups. He holds a BA from Newcastle University and a PhD in Farm and Agribusiness Management from Harper Adams University. Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast", hosted by Paul Windemuller. This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices. Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world. Expect engaging stories of Paul's journey as a first-generation farmer and consultant, covering topics ranging from coffee to greenhouses to agricultural technology. "Ag Culture'' will aim to inspire agricultural entrepreneurs and innovators weekly. Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe at our Site ⁠⁠⁠AgCulture.com⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

As part of our special podcast series brought to you by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University, this episode discusses the role of data, the tools available to measures GHG emissions and the value to farmers in sharing that data. Leprino Foods' Sustainability Manger Ben Williams, Farm Manager of net zero livestock farm and current Nuffield Schold Dan Smith and Livestock Sustainability Specialist at UK Agri-Tech Centre Megan Powell look at the narrative around the livestock sector when it comes to  emissions, the idea of baselining, government policy and the financial incentives to drive the sector to make changes to reduce green house gas emissions on-farm. Message us

As part of our special podcast series brought to you by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University, this episode focuses on how animal health and welfare is key to improving the sustainability of farming systems and the importance of adopting a mindset of 'if you look after your livestock they will look after you'. Northern Ireland dairy farmer and McDonalds Progressive Young farmer at Dawn Meats Nathan McClure, Hertfordshire livestock and arable farmer and farm vet technician Molly Mead and Herefordshire mixed farmer Jack Lyke look at the importance of disease control, livestock's role in sustainable and regenerative farming practices and the role of technology and grants to support long term investment Message us

As part of our special podcast series brought to you by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University, this episode shares helpful on-farm tips to improve water and waste management, whilst looking at some of the practical challenges including infrastructure and investment. Livestock farmers Lizzie Halton-Harrop and Rob Havard, LEAF technical co-ordinate Megan Whatty and Berkshire arable farmer and former winner of BBC Countryfile Young Countryside Champion Eleanor Gilbert look at how to balance production, profit and ecological gain across the land, and how nurturing our ecosystems can help improve water and waste management. Message us

As part of our special podcast series brought to you by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University, this episode looks at some practical on-farm examples of improving biodiversity whilst building resilience into farm businesses. Oxfordshire arable farmer and consultant Ben Adams, McDonalds Progressive Young Farmer at Moy Park Darcy Johnson and Wiltshire mixed farmer and former NFU student and young farm ambassador Mike Wilkins explore the benefits of enhanced biodiversity on-farm, looking at both the environmental and financial gains.Message us

As part of our special podcast series brought to you by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University, this episode looks at how healthy soils underpin resilient and sustainable farming systems. Arable agronomist and farm consultant with Ceres Rural, Louise Penn, beef and sheep farmer and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds representative Izzy Eames and regenerative farmer, coach and consultant at Grassfed Farmer Silas Hedley-Lawrence dig deeper into the role of soil in tackling climate change, improving nature and health, whilst looking at how adopting a more regenerative farming approach can help restore, enhance soil health, ecosystems and communities. Message us

This week, Nick talks to Judith Batchelar OBE. Judith Batchelar OBE is a distinguished figure with over 35 years of experience in the food and drink industry. Her career began in manufacturing before she transitioned into retail, working at Marks and Spencer. From 2004 to 2021, she was pivotal at Sainsbury's as the Director of Sainsbury's Brand, overseeing all aspects of the company's product offerings, including policy formation on ethical and sourcing issues, product technology, development, safety, and packaging, as well as corporate responsibility and public affairs. Batchelar's academic background includes being a biochemist and nutritionist, holding an Honorary Doctorate in Agriculture from Harper Adams University, and affiliations as a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology and the Royal Society of Arts and Manufacturers​​​​.Nick and Judith discuss Judith's career in the food industry, Judith's passion for food and dietary improvements and the reduction in ultra processed foods. Judith also looks at how the UK needs to adapt for climate change and the effect on our food production, and finally the recent IPO of Micrsosalt, of which Judith is chair. Judith's favourite book choices were: Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard, The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey and Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier.This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

Cian O'Leary talks about his decision to study across the water at Harper Adams University, his time spent on work placement and how he secured a positon at Case IH and what exactly the role entails

Italy is famous the world over for its delicious food and beautiful countryside. The two come together in the form of the agriturismo, a type of farm-stay where the food – produced on the farm itself – takes centre stage. Agritourism there has been hugely successful since it was first established in the 1980s as a way to make small farms viable. It now contributes around 1.9 billion euros to the Italian economy every year. Agritourism is in its infancy in the UK, where a young generation of chefs have decamped from the city to the countryside to take on farms, and ensure they have absolute control over how their ingredients are sourced. Jaega Wise visits Coombeshead Farm in Cornwall, where guests can eat, sleep and explore where their food comes from and understand how it's produced. The farm is managed by Tom Adams, who previously ran a successful food truck and restaurant in London. She also talks to Hugo Guest and his wife Olive, who again left London behind to set up a farm restaurant and guest house in Devon. They discuss the influence of Italian agritourism on their venture, which opened just after the Covid-19 lockdowns. We hear the thoughts of Gabriella Parkes, a researcher in rural tourism from Harper Adams University, on how the pandemic gave a boost to rural tourism and an interest in locally produced food. Caroline Millar from Scottish Agritourism and the Global Agritourism Network tells the programme how Scotland aims to take inspiration from Italy for its own burgeoning agritourism industry. Jaega discusses with chefs Dan Cox and Hugo Harrison the lengths they and others have gone to in order to chase the perfect produce. She also talks to Tom Adams, Dan Cox and Hugo Harrison about the cost of establishing this kind of enterprise, and whether it's inevitable that these places remain accessible only to wealthy people. Finally, hotel critic Fiona Duncan sums up why staying and eating on a farm – as in Italy – is a truly immersive experience, and how more of these could invigorate the UK's restaurant and hotel scene. Presented by Jaega Wise. Produced by Fiona Clampin.

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at Harper Adams University.Recorded in front of a live studio audience, farmers, students and other guests quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues.Our panel is:Defra farm minister Mark SpencerHarper Adams vice chancellor Michael LeeVicki Hird, head of farming at SustainMerseyside farmer and YouTube influencer Olly HarrisonQuestions include:What is the best way to encourage farmers to take part in Defra's Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme?How can the outcomes and value of ELM be measured without any baselining before the scheme starts?With land expensive and finance scarce, what is the best way for youngsters to get into farming?Will trade deals between the UK and other countries be good or bad for the sustainability of UK agriculture?Does the panel agree with the principle that consumers must pay the real cost of food?What should be done to secure UK food production from the loss of agricultural land for large-scale tree-planting projects, including the purchase of family farms for carbon offsetting by large corporations?Is Jeremy Clarkson still a good ambassador for UK agriculture? Or should he be cancelled?Sponsored by Lloyds Bank and AB Agri, this Question Time event was recorded on Thursday, 2 February 2023.Hosted by Farmers Weekly Podcast editor Johann Tasker.

This week, Defra farm minister Mark Spencer defends this government's policies for agriculture.Mr Spencer insists the future is bright for farming - and says the industry must do more to export food and attract new entrants into the sector.We're at Harper Adams University, where farmers and students are among the audience for the very first Farmers Weekly Question Time event.We visit DairyTech, where we gauge industry reaction to rapidly changing sentiment in the milk market.We find out how a Lincolnshire farmer grew a world record crop of wheat.We've all the market prices and find out the winner of this week's Commodity Cashback competition.And with the second series of Clarkson's Farm about to hit our TV screens, we ask is Jeremy Clarkson still a good ambassador for farming?This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom. Additional reporting by Abi Kay and Louise Impey.To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88440. Texts are charged at your network provider's regular rate.

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at Harper Adams University.Recorded in front of a live studio audience, farmers, students and other guests quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues.Our panel is:Defra farm minister Mark SpencerHarper Adams vice chancellor Michael LeeVicki Hird, head of farming at SustainMerseyside farmer and YouTube influencer Olly HarrisonQuestions include:What is the best way to encourage farmers to take part in Defra's Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme?How can the outcomes and value of ELM be measured without any baselining before the scheme starts?With land expensive and finance scarce, what is the best way for youngsters to get into farming?Will trade deals between the UK and other countries be good or bad for the sustainability of UK agriculture?Does the panel agree with the principle that consumers must pay the real cost of food?What should be done to secure UK food production from the loss of agricultural land for large-scale tree-planting projects, including the purchase of family farms for carbon offsetting by large corporations?Is Jeremy Clarkson still a good ambassador for UK agriculture? Or should he be cancelled?Sponsored by Lloyds Bank and AB Agri, this Question Time event was recorded on Thursday, 2 February 2023.Hosted by Farmers Weekly Podcast editor Johann Tasker.

The UK government is taking over the building of control posts at Northern Irish ports. The Northern Ireland department of agriculture, or DAERA, was to be in charge of both building the posts and carrying out inspections of agri-food products going from Britain to Northern Ireland under the protocol set up as part of Brexit. However UK ministers say as there is no functioning NI government, DEFRA will now take over. Auto Spray Systems has been granted the UK's first license to spray agricultural chemicals using a drone. The company says getting the paperwork sorted has been much easier since the release the Government's Drone Ambition Statement last year which claimed the sector could be worth £45 billion to the UK economy by 2030. The firm's teamed up with Harper Adams University to set up a course to train operators to use it in agriculture. All week Farming Today is looking at fertiliser. Production in Europe dropped 70% last year, partly due the rise in the cost of gas, the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. The CF manufacturing plant in Cheshire, which produced fertiliser pellets, has closed and the CF plant in Billingham is not running at the moment. This has taken 600 000 tonnes of production out of a 2.2 million tonne a year market, so the UK is having to look to global supplies. About two thirds of farmers use fertiliser pellets, but the use of liquids is growing. Brineflow imports liquid fertiliser and is spending tens of millions of pounds setting up a new import facility in Sunderland. It already runs an operation in Great Yarmouth, importing liquid fertilizer. Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney

DEFRA Secretary Therese Coffey has appeared before the EFRA select committee of MPs for the first time since her appointment. For two hours she faced queries on a wide range of issues from food security to using farmland for solar panels. She gave a clear indication that the Local Nature Recovery scheme could be subsumed into an enhanced version of the current Countryside Stewardship Scheme and said the £2.4 billion promised in the 2019 manifesto would still be available to farmers. COP15 - the International convention on biodiversity begins in Montreal in Canada. It set targets to turn around biodiversity loss by 2030, but says that is unlikely to be met. One of the conundrums facing biodiversity improvement is the pressure to grow more food and there is concern that UK food production is dipping. With the emphasis on food security, are environmental considerations being pushed to the back burner at the moment by farmers? The Green Alliance says the answer to food security has to got to have bio-diversity at its heart. All week we're talking about abattoirs. Its a crucial part of the meat food chain and yet abattoirs and meat processing plants are facing chronic staff shortages. Last year a lack of butchery workers caused by Covid and Brexit, led to a huge build up of pigs on farms, because they couldn't be processed. That situation has eased, but some companies have spent millions of pounds recruiting staff from countries as far afield as the Phillipines. Abattoirs and processors say they try very hard to recruit locally, but cannot get the staff. Why do British workers shy away from taking up jobs in abattoirs? Martin Anderson a researcher in recruitment at the meat sector at Harper Adams University, has some of the answers.

The hugely popular Jonathan Drori – writer and plant-lover – returns to 5x15 for a very special conversation with Professor Nicola Spence CBE, Defra's Chief Plant Health Officer and the Head of the UK National Plant Protection Organisation. Both Jonathan and Nicola have been inspired in their love of plants by visits to Kew Gardens from a young age. In this event, they will explore how those early experiences led them both on journeys of discovery to the far reaches of the botanical universe. Join us as Jonathan and Nicola share stories about their love of the natural world, the importance of plant health which we all too often take for granted, some surprising gardening tips and fascinating facts about the botanical world. Jonathan is the author of the runaway best sellers, Around the World In 80 Trees and Around the World in 80 Plants, revealing in awe-inspiring detail how the worlds of trees and plants are intricately entwined with our own history, culture and folklore. Using obscure historical sources and the most up-to-date academic papers, he uncovered wonderful and strange stories about plants and their relationships with us and with each other; from the familiar tomato, to the humble dandelion, the eerie mandrake to the Spanish ‘moss' of Louisiana. As Chief Plant Health Officer, Nicola advises ministers, industry, UK Border Control and others about the risks of plant pests and diseases. Her mission is to stop alien pests and diseases of plants and trees from arriving in the UK and if they do arrive, deal with them as quickly as possible to prevent the economic, social and environmental impacts and losses they cause. Nicola is a plant scientist, who has worked on crop diseases UK and internationally for decades. But plant health threats can be found in the most unlikely places from football pitches, furniture and works of art, to plants with cultural or religious significance, so she has needed to be a tactful diplomat as well. Jonathan Drori is a trustee of The Eden Project and Cambridge University Botanic Garden, an Ambassador for the Woodland Trust and the WWF, and Honorary Professor at Birmingham University's Institute of Forest Research. Previously, Jon was a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and for BBC TV, he was responsible for more than fifty science documentaries and series. He is known for several botanical TED talks, which have been viewed millions of times. Nicola Spence is an expert in plant health and the international plant trade, and a keen gardener. She is the UK's Chief Plant Health Officer and heads the National Plant Protection Organisation. She was previously Chief Scientist at the Food and Environment Research Agency and President of the British Society for Plant Pathology. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham, Visiting Professor at Harper Adams University, a member of Court at the University of York and a Trustee of The Yorkshire Arboretum. Nicola's PhD was in Plant Virology at the University of Birmingham. With thanks for your support for 5x15 online. Learn more about 5x15 events: 5x15stories.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/5x15stories Facebook: www.facebook.com/5x15stories Instagram: www.instagram.com/5x15stories

A new framework is to be introduced to protect wild salmon and sea trout in Scotland from sea lice. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) says the wild salmon population is in crisis - but the new rules should limit their exposure to sea lice by defining protection zones. As the government announces it's going to ban peat in amateur gardening, we look at what crops can be grown in peatland. If you've been around Harper Adams University in Shropshire you might have done a double take as you came across a tractor and a combine this harvest - because neither had a driver. This is the extension of the 'hands free hectare' project we followed a few years back and is shaping not just the future of farm robots but also the regulations, and even the insurance farmers will need. All this week we're looking at bovine tuberculosis - how it affects farms, and efforts to control it., including developing better testing, vaccination badgers, and the annual cull of badgers in England. Presented by Charlotte Smith.

Join us from Harper Adams University near Newport for Droid Builders UK 2022, a club members only event where Mark and guest co-host Matt Booker caught up with DBUK's Giles Redpath and Lucasfilm droid builders Lee Towersey and Oliver Steeples as they talk all things Droid Builders, the future, the present and their Celebration Europe 2023 hopes on a special episode of Making Tracks. Remember to tune in to Good Morning Tatooine, LIVE Sunday evenings at 9.00pm UK, 4.00pm Eastern and 1.00pm Pacific on Facebook and YouTube and check out our Fantha Tracks Radio Friday Night Rotation every Friday night at 7.00pm UK for new episodes of The Fantha From Down Under, Planet Leia, Desert Planet Discs, Start Your Engines, Collecting Tracks, Canon Fodder and special episodes of Making Tracks. You can contact any of our shows and send in your listeners questions by emailing radio@fanthatracks.com or comment on our social media feeds: www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ7LZotr3rQhVJwpO3b2ELw www.instagram.com/fanthatracks www.facebook.com/FanthaTracks www.twitter.com/FanthaTracks www.pinterest.co.uk/fanthatracks/ www.fanthatracks.tumblr.com/ www.tiktok.com/@fanthatracks

In this AHDB Food & Farming podcast episode, our resident podcast host John Bates speaks to AHDB's Senior Market Analyst, Amandeep Kaur Purewal, to discuss whether the UK-New Zealand free trade agreement is likely to be a threat or an opportunity for UK producers and explains the likely impact on the UK supply chain. There has been intense scrutiny over the impacts this new trade deal will have on British farming, so we have partnered with Harper Adams University to model the impact of the trade deal and provide economic analysis.  Also joining John on this special edition podcast, is Frances Duignan - Senior Manager for International Trade at Beef and Lamb New Zealand, along with kiwi beef and sheep farmer Mal Poulton who farms in the North Island of New Zealand. They explain the opportunities the trade deal can present to different markets and tell us about how their production systems vary from the UK, including the pressures they are facing in the rising cost of production. They are well placed to share their views about the UK/New Zealand trade deal and provide a glimpse into the livestock farming methods in the southern hemisphere. This podcast was produced by Sarah Measom. Useful information: UK-New Zealand free trade agreement pt1: UK Consumer perception of New Zealand red meat imports  https://audioboom.com/posts/8118195-the-impact-of-the-new-zealand-trade-agreement-pt1-uk-consumer-perception-of-new-zealand-red-mea  The impact of a UK-New Zealand free trade agreement on UK agriculture: https://ahdb.org.uk/trade-and-policy/the-impact-of-a-uk-nz-free-trade-agreement-on-uk-agriculture AHDB's Trade and Policy webpage: https://ahdb.org.uk/trade-and-policy  Assessing the impact of the Sustainable Farming Incentive: https://ahdb.org.uk/assessing-the-impact-of-the-sustainable-farming-incentive-on-farm-businesses  Upcoming webinar: https://ahdb.org.uk/events/new-zealand-uk-free-trade-agreement 

The hot weather has led to more crop fires during this years' harvest - today we hear from a farmer who had to phone 999 but couldn't get through because she had no mobile phone signal. The CLA, which supports rural businesses and landowners, says universal coverage is urgently needed and the network is not fit for purpose. As farmers continue to speculate over how the UK's free trade agreement with New Zealand will affect business, the AHDB has published analysis it has been carrying out with Harper Adams University into the risks and opportunities. It says although the deal is better for farmers in New Zealand, the effect is not likely to be as extreme as some have predicted. Plus we continue our look at the harvest in different parts of the UK - today it's blackcurrants. We hear how the hot weather has damaged some of the fruit, and led to a much earlier harvest. Presented by Caz Graham Produced in Bristol by Natalie Donovan

In this episode, we examine why criminals are returning to the countryside – sparking a 40% increase in rural theft – and what farmers can do about it.Are you ready for Rishi? Or do you want Liz for leader – we ask growers and livestock producers  who should be the UK's next Prime Minister?On the markets... we head to one of the season's first sheep breeding sales at Thame.We hear from farmers and vets at the first ever national youngstock conference, held at Harper Adams University in Shropshire.And we meet the group of friends raising money for charity – by swimming the length of Lake Geneva in memory of a Norfolk farmer.You can sponsor Sam Steggles and his friends who are raising money for the Brian Cross Memorial Trust by clicking here.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with additional reporting by Andrew Meredith and Charlotte Cunningham.

Today sees the launch of a £50,000 investment to support British agriculture in achieving its ambition to be net zero. The Journey to Net Zero competition has been launched by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming (SSFF) and is supported by Bradford Estates, Harper Adams University, McDonald's, Morrisons, the NFU and Trinity Ag Tech and Trinity Global Farm Pioneers. With a total prize fund of £50,000, the competition will award cash prizes of between £5,000 and £20,000 to fund scalable systems or processes which will help farmers to manage their businesses in a sustainable way. The winners will be announced at the end of this year and their progress will then be tracked and publicised by Farmers Guardian throughout 2023 to spread their learning across the industry. Announcing the competition, Prof Michael Lee, vice-chancellor of Harper Adams University, said: “SSFF at Harper Adams University is delighted to launch this competition to help our farming community realise this vital transition. “Harper Adams University, working through our new SSFF and supported by our industry partners, is committed to deliver training and research needed for a just transition to support all UK agriculture, be that through reducing methane emissions of ruminant livestock, improving soil health, or realising biodiversity improvement in mixed cropping systems. “We are working with some of the UK's brightest and most innovative farmers and we really look forward to expanding this network through the competition. We realise that the greatest take up of technology and interventions is through seeing these implemented on real farms, hence the excitement around this competition.” Harriet Wilson, agriculture and sustainable sourcing manager for McDonald's, said: “Farmers are well known for being entrepreneurial inventors, often driven by the need to adapt to situations on-farm. “Net zero and the climate challenge is probably the biggest driver of necessity to change that we will face over the next 10 years and the inventive farming mind is well placed to come up with some of the solutions.” For more information about the competition and to enter, please visit: www.fginsight.com/NetZeroCompetition See more stories here.

In this first episode of the series, Matthew and Cindy explore the issue of food and farming innovation.They speak to Jenny Walton of Harvest Plus about the biofortification of crops and the standards supporting those developments. bsigroup.com/pas233bsigroup.com/pas234bsigroup.com/pas235And to Cai Linton from the organization Multus about some of the technology involved in lab-cultivated meat and the changes it could make to the way we consume protein.They also speak to Lynsey Dunbar from the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre about plant-based solutions to developing greener fuels. Their final guest is academic and standards maker James Loewenberg de Boer from Harper Adams University. They speak to him about robots and the ‘smart farming' revolution.And Sara Walton joins them to provide a BSI perspective.It's also the second birthday of the podcast, so in celebration there's tea and cake involved.Series | Farm to Fork - the relationship between standards and food@StandardsShow@thestandardsshoweducation@bsigroup.com

In this pork-focused edition of AHDB's Food and Farming podcast, we discuss the Pig Industry Scholarship Programme (PISP) and find out how it is helping placement students learn about the pig industry and how companies are benefiting from taking part. Our guests Bob Dixon, National Sales Manager, ABN; Ian Hunt, Technical Director, Karro Foods; Sarah Reid, Harper Adams University Placement student, Karro Foods and Cara Moore, Harper Adams University Placement student, Red Tractor, share their experiences as sponsors and placement students with host Jen Waters, Head Knowledge Exchange Pork, AHDB. They highlight how the scholarship programme is an excellent route into a career in agriculture and discuss the roles available in the pig industry. The Pig Industry Scholarship Programme was developed by AHDB, the NPA allied industry group (AIG) and Harper Adams University in 2012. It is managed by a steering group of industry and university representatives and chaired by the NPA's AIG chairman, Hugh Crabtree. The deadline for expressing an interest in becoming a sponsor for 2023 is 5 September 2022. Get in touch with Jen Waters to find out more about anything discussed in this episode or visit our website for all the details: E: Jen.Waters@ahdb.org.uk   T: 07802 596915 You can also follow Jen Waters on Twitter: @WatersJen Useful links Are you looking for new talent for your business? | AHDB AHDB Pork – Pig Industry Scholarship Programme _Talent recruitment made easy Feedback We'd love to know what you think of our podcasts. If you'd like to give your feedback, please complete our short questionnaire, which will help us to improve the podcast on an ongoing basis, or email: foodandfarming@ahdb.org.uk.  This episode was produced and edited by Dami Oyinlola, Marcomms Executive (Pork).

It's estimated the world will need to feed 10 billion people before the end of the century. Yet at the same time, we are faced with a climate crisis that requires the urgent protection of our natural resources. To meet these challenges, we need to focus on getting the most out of what we already have. We need more efficient farming methods that are kinder to the environment. We need sustainable, nature focused solutions. We need innovation.So, how do we even begin? And how can satellites help?We're joined by Calum Kelly from the Satellite Applications Catapult, Parmjit Chima from Harper Adams University, and Digby Sowerby from Wessex Internet.Satellite Applications Catapult: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, WebsiteHarper Adams University: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, WebsiteWessex Internet: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website

Join us for a discussion with Jonathan Gill about the Hands Free Hectare and Hands Free Farm projects, which achieved a world first by farming a hectare of land (now 35 hectares) entirely autonomously. Jonathan is a robotics engineer with a research team at the National Centre for Precision Farming at Harper Adams University in Newport, United Kingdom. We discuss drone technology, the advantages and challenges of fully autonomous field operations, swarm technologies, and Jonathan's vision for the future of autonomous agriculture.  To learn more, visit handsfreehectare.com and handsfree.farm and follow Jonathan on Twitter @AgRobotJon and @FreeHectare.