Ear to the Ground Podcast

Episode 80: Jim Elizondo Real Wealth Ranching- 'Can we maximise farm profit whilst also enhancing the environment?'

Jim Elizondo is a cattle rancher from Texas who has 30 years’ experience of managing livestock in ranging climatic condition across America and beyond. His passion is helping farmers regenerate their land whilst reaching maximum profitability. He delivers ‘Real Wealth Ranching’ training to clients from across the world and has helped numerous farm businesses reach maximum productivity whilst regenerating their land.

Jim recently presented at Farming Connect events, this episode presented by Cennydd Jones is another opportunity to hear Jim's background and farming philosophy. 

Episode 81 - Dairy's ethical future

Angharad Menna, another new presenter on this podcast interviews her first guest, Anna Bowen a Nuffield Scholar (sponsored by Elizabeth Creake Charitable Trust) which has travelled the World to study the future of ethical dairy farming. Within this hour long episode we'll hear in detail of hear experiences in areas such as the feasibility of cow calf contact dairy, the best use of sexed semen along with breeding and rearing dairy beef calves and finding a market for them. Could the dairy industry also learn from horse racing and Its social licence?
 
If this episode incentivises you to broaden your horizons the applications for the 2024 Nuffield Farming Scholarships are now OPEN! The deadline is 31st July 2023, visit their website for more details.

Episode 82 - Sheep milking in Wales

Lamb, mutton and wool, those are the products we are familiar with when farming sheep in Wales. Now, we should add sheep's milk to the list, as we see 14 farmers this year milking sheep. Two of these innovative individuals join Geraint Hughes for a conversation.  Alan Jones from Chwilog, near Pwllheli and Huw Jones from Llanerchymedd, Anglesey. This edition was recorded from a new processing site, Llaethdy Gwyn in Bethesda, Dyffryn Ogwen, which has been developed by Carrie Rimes specifically to process sheep's milk.

Episode 83- A conversation with Dr Iwan Owen - Forty years of lecturing grassland management at Aberystwyth University

Cennydd Jones, a lecturer at Aberystwyth University and a part-time farmer will be joined by Dr Iwan Owen. Iwan is a well-known name to many former Aberystwyth University Agriculture students, where he was a grassland management lecturer for forty years before he took a well-deserved retirement in 2021. In this episode we will hear about his journey to become a lecturer at WAC (Welsh Agricultural Collage), why doing a degree or further education is useful in an industry that many consider practical. We will also have the opportunity to hear his impressions about the future of agriculture in Wales.

Episode 84 - Staff Management- Episode 1: How to recruit and retain staff

In the first in a series of episodes focusing on staff management, another new presenter to the podcast Rhian Price is joined by Paul Harris, founder of REAL Success, a people consultancy business. Rhian is an award-winning journalist and agricultural PR specialist, she spent 10 years working at Farmers Weekly – seven of them as Livestock Editor before setting up her own Agricultural PR company 'Rhian Price Media'. She now lives on the Shropshire/ Welsh border with her husband and their family on a 280-cow dairy farm.

This episode in the series will discuss why farmers find staff recruitment and retention so difficult, and how farmers can attract and retain the best personnel. They also consider what you should do to keep staff happy and motivated.

Episode 85 - Embracing Change: Claire Jones discusses Dairy Diversification at Pant Farm, Llanddewi Brefi

It’s a pleasure to welcome Claire Jones to the podcast, this episode is recorded at this years Innovation and Diversification event at Builth Wells. If you’re active on social media many would have come across Claire as ‘_farmers_wife_’ on instagram, she does an excellent job of promoting and informing her audience of the busy farming life at Pant Farm Llanddewi which we will delve deeper into during this podcast. Many business are here to establish what Innovation or diversification opportunities they can introduce to their business and we’ll hear within this episode how Claire alongside her husband, Stephen and the family, decided a couple of years ago to diversify from beef and sheep farming to producing milk.

Episode 86 - What to consider before diversifying?

David Selwyn- Landsker is joined by two individuals who have set up novel businesses on farm. Rhys Jones is the founder of a thriving fitness business, Cattle Strength, which delivers a personalised and premium approach to personal training which is served in a private gym facility on a farm in West Wales. Laura Lewis has established Squirrels Nest, one of the UK's most popular treehouse retreats on the family farm in the Heart of Wales.

Episode 87 - A conversation with Dilwyn the vet

In this episode Rhian Price is joined by Dilwyn Evans, farm vet and star of Clarkson’s Farm. Dilwyn was bought up on a dairy farm near Tregaron and has been a farm vet for more than 30 years, having graduated from Edinburgh Vet School in 1986. He has spent most of his career working as a mixed vet at Bridge Vets in Gloucestershire after a brief stint in North Wales. Most recently, Dilwyn made his debut in February when the hit series Clarkson’s Farm returned to our TV screens for a second series.

Episode 88 - Woodland management and adding value to timber at Fron Haul, Abergele

Our Forestry & Farm Woodland Specialist, Geraint Jones is joined by David Brown and Ruth Pybus prior to welcoming other farmers to their event at Fron Haul on the 17th of November. Fron Haul is a mixed farm that has integrated tree's with livestock to form a fundamental part of the business. For a preview of what to expect on their farm walk and to discover sustainable woodland management working listen to this episode.

Episode 89 - Is joint venture the answer to an ageing industry?

Alison Harvey presents a panel discussion between a member of the Agri Academy Alice Bacon and Anna Bowen, who have formed their own joint venture agreements. We hear how share and contract farming agreements have allowed them the opportunity to be the decision makers on farm and run their own business. Eiry Williams, Farming Connect Succession Facilitator will also join the conversation to highlight how the Start to Farm programme can support to match farmers and landowners who are looking to step back from the industry with new entrants looking for a way into farming.

Episode 90 - Diversification opportunities within the horticulture industry in Wales

A recent report suggests that we produce 3.5% of the fruit and veg we consume as a population here in Wales. If you're a farmer looking to diversify or add another enterprise on farm this podcast could incentives you to look at the options. 

Join our three panellists- John Morris and his family from Crickhowell have 8 enterprises on the farm, he describes himself as a 'land use operator' being able to generate an income from a relatively small farm through several diversification initiatives. We also here from Edward Morgan, representing Castell Howell Foods that are this year celebrating 35 years of business and have grown to become Wales’ leading independent food service wholesaler. Edward outlines the possible opportunities and gaps in the market that we should consider. Sarah Gould, Horticulture Manager at Lantra outlines how Farming Connect can assist if this episode has resonated with you!

Episode 91 - Unearthing another potential opportunity in rural Wales

This episode will expose the potential opportunity within the commercial ornamental industry. As part of the horticulture sector, according to a recent report from Tyfu Cymru It employees 19,800 people here in Wales and generates 40 million pounds worth of production at farm gate prices. Geraint Hughes is joined by Neville Stein MBE and Sarah Gould. Neville has spent 46 years within the horticulture industry and has been working as a consultant for growers world wide.

This half an hour long episode will share a vision of how this sector has massive demand and opportunity that can play an important part in the vibrancy of the rural sector in Wales.

Episode 92 - An insight into the current situation in terms of the carbon footprint of beef and sheep farms in Wales

Cennydd Jones is joined by Non Williams, Carbon Specialist Officer at Farming Connect.

This episode is based on the findings of carbon footprint audits completed on 185 beef and sheep farms through the Farming Connect Advisory Service. The purpose of this short study was to summarize the results of these inspections completed in 2022 in order to extract useful figures that will give insight into the current situation in terms of the carbon footprint of beef and sheep farms in Wales.

A Farming Connect study on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by red meat enterprises has shown that Welsh farms are below the benchmark for similar farms across the UK. Listen for more information!

Useful links-

• New GHG study points to encouraging results for Welsh beef and sheep farms
• Advice
• Contact us
• Event- MASTER CARBON FOOTPRINT: WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

Episode 94 - Staff Management series- Episode 3: What legislation affects you as a farming employer, employee or worker?

All employed agricultural, horticultural and forestry workers in Wales, including workers employed by gang masters and employment agencies, are entitled to at least the Agricultural Minimum Wage. This podcast is intended to help employers of agricultural workers understand and comply with the Agricultural Minimum Wage requirements and other terms and conditions applicable to agricultural workers in Wales and to help workers understand their entitlements. The minimum rates of pay and allowances and other minimum terms and conditions to which agricultural workers, including those who work within the horticulture and forestry sectors, are entitled to by law are set out in the Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order.

The information contained in this episode is provided as guidance only. It should not be seen as providing legal advice on the Agricultural Minimum Wage or on legal mattersgenerally.

Episode 97- Our Farms Update: Get growing in Wales- Part 3. Extending the season of tomato production for a wholesale distribution supply chain

Katherine and Dave Langton, Langtons Farm, Llangoedmor, Cardigan are focusing on extending the season of tomato production for a wholesale distribution supply chain.

Episode 96- Our Farms Update: Get growing in Wales- Part 2. Best methods for the establishment of a Pick your Own pumpkin horticulture venture

Laura Pollock, Lower House Farm has explored the best methods for the establishment of a Pick your Own pumpkin horticulture venture.

Episode 95- Our Farms Update: Get growing in Wales- Part 1. Trial of legume-cereal intercropping techniques for production of food

In this short episode, Farming Connect's Horticulture officer Hannah Norman is joined by Alex Cook, Bremenda Isaf, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire who will discuss their up an coming trial of legume-cereal intercropping techniques for production of food for human consumption.

Episode 99- Establishing and managing herbal leys

Another opportunity to listen back to a recent webinar at your leisure. Herbal leys are an increasingly popular option for livestock farmers. This episode discusses establishing and managing herbal leys for livestock production with Monty White, Agricultural Project Manager for DLF Seeds. We will explore different establishment options including min-till methods and then correct management to help the swards establish. Seed mix choices will also be covered with the emphasis on selecting the right varieties for different situations. Herbal leys also offer potential benefits to biodiversity both above and below ground, making them a useful choice for a host of reasons. Non Williams will outline a new Pan Wales project in Farming Connect looking at herbal leys and investigating the performance and persistency of the herbal ley swards across Wales.

Episode 98- Ammonia- the issue and how to limit emissions from farming

This podcast takes advantage of a recently recorded Farming Connect webinar. Take the advantage of listening back at a suitable and convenient time to you! Sue Buckingham, Sustainable Atmospheric Nitrogen Advisor at NRW is joined by David Ball from AHDB's Environment team. Agricultural activities account for 93% of ammonia emissions in Wales, originating mainly from livestock systems and fertiliser management. Join us to learn more about the scale and impact of the issue and how applying specific management approaches can limit the emission of ammonia from every stage where losses occur.

Episode 100- Staff management, Episode 4: People, purpose, processes and potential’ are key ingredients to running a successful team

In this last episode of our staff management series, Rhian Price is joined by Hannah Batty from LLM Farm Vets in Cheshire. Hannah is in the middle of completing a Nuffield Scholarship looking at how dairy farmers can better manage people to deliver improved health, welfare, and profitability. She has visited seven countries and many farming and non-farming business as part of a jam- packed study tour stretching three continents.

Episode 101 - Getting the most of silage at lambing - planning and monitoring starts now - Part 1

In this two part episode we visit one of our focus farms involved on Our Farm Network. Beca Glyn and the family farm at Dylasau Uchaf, Padog, Dyffryn Conwy and has this year been working in collaboration with Farming Connect to make better use of the silage produced on-farm so that they are less reliant on bought in concentrate feed. We took the opportunity to capture the information relayed to the farmers that recently attended our open event at Dylasau.

We will initially hear from James Holloway, a FACTS qualified independent Farm Business Consultant, providing Nutrient Management Advice. He also delivers grassland and fertiliser management advice to farmers across Wales and the boarders.

Episode 102 - Getting the most of silage at lambing - planning and monitoring starts now - Part 2

Welcome to Ear to the Ground. This is a two part episode focusing on the information disseminated to farmers at a recent Farming Connect Event at Dylasau Uchaf, Padog, Dyffryn Conwy. If you haven’t yet listened to the previous episode, please remember to do so as it includes the background details to the farming enterprise at Dylasau along with focusing on a key aspect of the project there which was to focus on improving silage quality so the farm is less reliant on bought in concentrate feed.

During this on farm event, Joe Angell, Wern Vets discussed and provided tips in how to monitor the ewe after lambing and key steps to take in preparation for next year.

Episode 104 - What is healthy soil?

Listen back at this recording from our recent farm event at Pentrefelin, we discuss how to better understand and promote a healthy soil.

Huw Foulkes will be sharing his journey taking over the family farm that involves a regenerative approach. His system, through direct sales, could benefit the environment, produce nutritious, local food and address social issues facing Welsh farmers, as well as build on-farm resilience against drought, flooding and other impacts of climate change.

We will be joined by experienced agronomist Nick Woodyatt who has worked with regenerative farmers for many years to incorporate a profitable regenerative system. He has worked closely with Tim Parton, Farm Manager at Brewood Park Farm, where he's passionately championed regenerative agriculture for 15 years, nurturing the 300-hectare estate in Staffordshire with a vision to enhance the soil for generations to come.

Episode 106 - Special Episode with Mari Lovgreen and Ifan Jones Evans

Listen to a special episode of the Ear to the Ground podcast which focuses on Health and Safety on the farm. It's an interesting conversation between Ifan Jones Evans and Mari Lovgreen. Mari and Ifan have young and enthusiastic families and both live on a farm.

In this episode, they share their experiences, discuss the challenges and their feelings about the importance of protecting their families at home on the farm. The summer holidays in particular are a busy time and the children are home with them more.

Mari and Ifan are not experts in the field, they do not offer advice about health and safety.