We Can Do Both

In this episode Neil and neighbouring farmer WILLIAM BARNARD chart the ups and downs of farming for food and nature in Somerset’s unique tidal landscape known as the Pawlett Hams. Top of mind for both of them: the threat now posed to their centuries-old way of managing this landscape by the energy company EDF, and its plans to create a saltmarsh by the site of nearby Hinkley Point nuclear plant, which is currently under construction.In this episode they discuss: the wildlife in the hams (2m50s); the role of cattle in the ecosystem (7m30s); EDF’s plans for the saltmarsh (8m44s); William’s reflections on the plans (18m25); and the uneasy relationship between their farming methods and corporate structures (24m05s).Visit the ‘Protect Pawlett Hams’ campaign website hereRead the EDF statement in full here

As part of its sustainable farming scheme, the UK government is offering farmers £382 each year for every hectare of ‘herbal leys’ they grow. This mixture of grasses, legumes, herbs and wildflowers is said to produce a high volume of food for grazing animals; greater resilience to drought; improved soil fertility; and more carbon sequestration.In this bonus episode, Neil puts these claims to the test in the company of award-winning organic farmers RACHEL and JOE HORLER. They've had herbal leys for more than ten years, and here they tell Neil: the theory behind it (2m24s); how they graze their cattle on it (4m58s); how they turn it into silage (8m21s); and the health benefits to their cattle (9m14s).More on the government scheme here: www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/csam3-herbal-leys

In recent years, farmers across Europe have protested against environmental measures being imposed on them by their governments. Campaigns and public rallies have taken place in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, and this year, Wales too.The Welsh protests began in response to the Welsh Assembly’s planned ‘Sustainable Farming Scheme’, which included within it a proposal that farmers should commit to ensuring 10% of their land is under tree cover. Many farmers argue this would be costly, impractical and lead to job losses, and the Welsh Government subsequently pushed back its planned scheme to 2026.In this episode, you will hear Neil's visit to a protest in early spring at Cardiff's Senedd building: he finds out why farmers are concerned about the plans (1m43s); former Welsh Woman Farmer Of The Year CLAIRE MORGAN discusses alternative solutions to make farming more profitable and more nature friendly (4m46s); and the current head of NFU Wales ALED JONES reflects on the future of farming in the nation (16m51s).Read latest details of the scheme hereFollow Aled Jones on Twitter/X hereThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

JOHNATHAN CORP runs one of the first water buffalo farms in the UK. In this episode he shows Neil around his ‘Buffalicious’ farm near Yeovil in Somerset, and explains how he rears these animals for meat and dairy in a sustainable way. On his tour, Neil also meets the farm’s enthusiastic butcher MATT DYER and in the milking parlour, MATT LONG.In this episode: the character and behaviour of water buffalo (2m00s); the taste of ‘proper’ mozzarella (4m50s); making the business sustainable (10m05s); the taste of buffalo meat (14m53); looking after the animals (17m00s); Neil meets the butcher (23m26s); and Neil visits the milking parlour (28m00s).Visit the Buffalicious website: www.buffaliciousuk.comThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

BRUCE GRIFFITHS is from North Wyke Farm near Oakhampton in Devon. His job: to a run a team that’s researching how farming can reach net zero and become resilient to the effects of climate change. In this episode Neil joins Bruce for a tour of the farm, and finds out what clever methods they are employing to understand and reduce the environmental footprint of farming in the UK.In this episode: an introduction to the work of the farm (1m02s); using satellite data in order to apply fertiliser more judiciously (3m48s); ways to monitor methane gas emissions from livestock (7m14s); ways to reduce methane from livestock (12m36s); a tour of the run-off monitoring shed (16m43s); and a demonstration of the methane monitoring device (25m27s).Read about Bruce and Rothemstead ResearchFollow Rothemstead Research on Twitter/XThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

Traditional orchards are a “priority habitat” according to the Government’s Biodiversity Action Plan. In this episode, Neil is led through one such orchard by farmer JUSTIN WEEKES and his father, whose Ridge & Furrow Cider farm has won awards both for its sweet craft cider, and for the wildlife that the orchards support.In this interview: what a ‘ridge and furrow’ orchard means (2m07s); Justin’s approach to grazing in the orchard (6m10s); the perils of drinking alcohol after being stung by bees (8m43s); biodiversity on the farm (11m03s); their thoughts on fertilisers (13m28s); Neil meets their cattle (18m40s); Neil finds out how the cider is made (21m45s).Visit the Ridge & Furrow Cider Farm websiteRead about the Biodiversity Action Plan’s Priority HabitatsLearn about the countryside stewardship scheme of which Justin’s farm is a partThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

Neil farms on low-lying land near the mouth of Somerset’s River Parrett. For this first episode he makes a short journey upstream to the beef and arable farm of JAMES WINSLADE. Sitting at James’s dining table they discuss the challenges of farming for both food and nature on the flood-prone, man-made landscape of Sedgemoor. They discuss: how pumps are used to manage water here (3m22s); the impact of prolonged flooding on biodiversity and carbon storage (10m22s); how James would like to see water being managed here in the future (12m30s); his work supporting UK farmers during severe weather events (16m29s); how flooding impacts food production (21m18s); a cautious optimism for the future (28m37); and his call for farmers to be compensated for storing flood water on their fields in order to protect nearby towns (34m19s).Follow James on Twitter/XRead more about James and the floods in 2014James’s work with Forage AidThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

How can UK farmers both grow good food AND protect the environment? Join NEIL PARISH at his dining table to find out why he'll be seeking to answer this question in this new podcast.This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk