The Crop It Like It's Hot Podcast

The UK currently produces just 18% of its fruit and 55% of its vegetables according the NFU, and self-sufficiency for both and veg and potatoes has declined 16% in the past 20 years. But has Brexit, the Covid pandemic, a greater focus on homegrown produce and agroecological farming created greater opportunities? In this episode of Crop it Like it’s Hot, Alice Dyer explores if we really do need to be producing more fruit and veg, how production can slot into the arable rotation using practices such as agroforestry, and what lessons the arable sector could take from the fresh produce industry.

How can arable farmers be more resilient to adverse weather?Weather is possibly the biggest challenge out there for farmers, and just in the last few years we have seen one of the hottest summers on record in 2018, one of the mildest and wettest winters in 2019, and two exceptionally dry springs in a row.In this episode of Crop it Like It’s Hot, Alice Dyer finds out how weather patterns are changing, what this means for the crops we grow, and how we as farmers can be more resilient to the changing climate by improving soil health and using data to farm better.Speakers:Grahame Madge, senior press officer, The Met OfficeProf Derek Stewart, director of The Advanced Plant Growth Centre at the James Hutton Institute Prof Jenni Dungait, Soil Health ExpertHarry Atkinson, business development manager at Sencrop

Let’s talk crop nutritionWith improvements in fertiliser efficiency an ambition for both economic and environmental reasons, the latest episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot covers crop nutrition from all bases. Frontier’s Edward Downing offers practical tips to consider for boosting nitrogen use efficiency, while Leicestershire farmer, Michael Parker talks us through how he is tweaking his approach to crop nutrition to reduce the need for pesticides and get better returns.Yara’s Mark Tucker gives an update on the latest innovations coming forward in the fertiliser sector, while AIC’s Jane Salter explains how regulations are likely to look as we move forward into a carbon zero future following the advent of the Clean Air Strategy, the consultation on urea and the new Sustainable Farming Incentive.

Defra’s public consultationongene editing means the UK may be on the brink of having access to plant breeding technology that could revolutionise farming. However, if regulationsforgene editing are relaxed, there will be many hurdles for the industry to overcome. Foremost is whether consumers are willing to eat gene-edited food, but there are also concerns over the impact on biodiversity and whether farmers will have even less access to genetic diversity. The technology undoubtedly presents opportunities too, including crops with better weather resilience, higher yields or improved resistance to diseases. In this episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot, Alice Dyer gets all of your questions answered on what gene editing could really mean for the arable sector.

Agriculture is a notoriously difficult industry to get started in, particularly if you aren’t from a farming background, but there are many ways you can ‘be your own boss’ in the arable sector.In this episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot – pathing a career path in arable farming - we hear the inspiring stories of four self-made young people who have forged their own careers in the world of arable regardless of their background. From taking on farm tenancies while working full time, setting up a contracting business from scratch, becoming a highly qualified agronomist or having a complete career change after serving in the army, this episode covers it all.Speakers:Harriet Ross: Arable tenant farmer and farming consultant with Strutt & ParkerJonny Kerr: Velcourt farm managerJames Edmundson: Agricultural contracting business ownerMorven Anderson: Hutchinsons Foundation arable agronomist

Changes to the subsidy system, Brexit uncertainty and price volatility are just a few of the current and future challenges arable farmers face. In this episode of Crop It Like It’s Hot - Building business resilience during uncertain times – Arable Farming journalist, Alice Dyer hears from three experts about how to take a step back and assess the performance of your business. She finds out the key drivers of a high performing arable farm; and where savings can likely be made, from making changes to farm machinery, utilising Government grants, and cutting crop inputs to fine tune cost of production.Speakers:·Philip Wynn, business consultant·Harry Henderson, knowledge exchange manager, AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds·Ben Harrington, soil fertility and plant nutritionalist and agronomist, Edaphos Agronomy