Arron Nerbas
The Pasture Pod
A Canadian themed episode to bring "Season 2" to an end. Arron came over to the UK in January 2023 and spoke to loads of people over the course of a week. I went to see him at the AHDB meeting in Northumberland at George Burrell's and it was such a refreshing and positive experience. Even though he has such a different environment to contend with, the principle of system first is such a powerful thing. He popped into Culteuchar, met Mo, stayed the night (not in that way) and was polite about my handful of heifers and sheep. Hope you enjoy it. If you do, Arron is starting a new...
info_outline
Chris Falconer
The Pasture Pod
After 12 years apart, two acquaintences meet. Everything has changed, Michael is even fatter and has less hair; Chris seems to have given Michael his extra body mass - he's lighter and fitter. Chris is also more self aware and intimidates Michael slightly less than in 2010. They talk for a long time and record some of it. Michael likes to think he and Chris have become friends whereas Chris doesn't think about Michael at all. They talk about life and farming, carbon and environmental services, calves on and direct selling, getting abuse for an episode of Country Calendar and not...
info_outline
It's About Time - Episode 6: The Final Countdown
The Pasture Pod
It's About Time was not on time this week - not perfect but at least it's definitely done! This is the last in the series and I want to thank everyone that was involved and everyone that is listened. Thanks to all those that took the trouble to message. Special, special thanks to the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust. This simply wouldn't exist without their help. Best book on time ever is
info_outline
It's About Time - Episode 5: The Do Do Sandwich
The Pasture Pod
If in doubt seek expert help. My quest gets closer to an inconvenient truth as I speak to coaches, consultants and, big potato grower with normal sized potatoes, Robin Griffiths. This is the proper time management episode and was a bit of a revelation to me. Mention is given to the pomodoro technique with insufficient explanation until closer to the end. The pomodoro technique is simply using a timer to spend 25 minuites on a task then having 5 minutes break with the option then to start again. Pomodoro is Italian for tomato which was the type of kitchen timer the inventor of the...
info_outline
It's About Time - Episode 4: How to Beat the System
The Pasture Pod
I spent most of this episode in my pants watching YouTube. Clips used are for educational purposes. The series up to this point was on a roll with reviews like "I'm enjoying it much more than I thought I would" - but this was a big test to keep the underwhelming momentum up. Systems is such a monster of a subject but I hope you get something from it. Additional thanks to James Sills ( off of Twitter for talking about Elon's 5 steps. Books and YouTube clips: Thinking in Systems by Donnella H Meadows
info_outline
It's About Time - Episode 3: The Ballad of Andrew Freshwater
The Pasture Pod
Episode 3 sees me continue haphazardly like King Arthur in Monty Python's Holy Grail ... no horse and just coconuts as a sound effect. I eventually take my brave tablets and speak to "The Australian", then spend the rest of the episode trying to translate things to a UK Context. Luckily I have some sensible people helping. Can we nail down what is possible in terms of labour efficiencies in UK farming?
info_outline
It's About Time - Episode 2: The Tale of Three Dairy Farms
The Pasture Pod
The quest for answers continues. Is our use of time the invisible handbrake on our lives and businesses that we leave on without realising? I visit three dairy farms and hear about their experiences and challenges, within them there are parables and wisdom and glimpses of the answer. Warning: may contain poor analogies. Books mentioned in this episode:
info_outline
It's About Time - Episode 1: Is this even a subject?
The Pasture Pod
A departure from the normal Pasture Pod, I do my best attempt at being a poundshop Louis Theroux and go on a quest to find answers on how time affects farming and how we can use time to affect our lives and businesses for good. Episode one contains a record breaking number of metaphors per minute of narration ... so be prepared. Thankfully all is saved by those that were interviewed. Profound thanks to the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust for their support in the making of this. Episodes will be released weekly from 16th January 2023 ... there will be six or seven in total. There will...
info_outline
Joel Williams
The Pasture Pod
Once apon a time soil was less cool than flares (when they weren't trendy) and plastic shoes. I may have been forced to wear the latter two items of clothing as a young adult but at least I wasn't studying soil science!! BUT times have changed, a revolution has happened and soil science might be - quite possibly - one of the coolest things going. Joel Williams is one of the people that have made it cool - a bit like Damon Albarn was to Britpop without the pretentiousness. If you get depressed at all the chat that sneers at carbon sequestration from those with the...
info_outline
Gus & Duncan Nelless
The Pasture Pod
Gus and Duncan are full siblings with impressive EBVs for 3 Hour Bantz; Low CoP and Positive Mental Attitude. They are both structurally correct with good locomotion and teeth but increasingly bare heads. The Pasture Pod returns to its roots with this episode - hardore farming chat and a glimpse into the motivation of a couple of awesome individuals.
info_outlineTrevor is one of the people I've learnt most from in agriculture. He became a cult hero during the QMS Grazing Group project and still comes back to the UK twice a year. He has this rare clarity of thought and expression.
In this conversation we talk a bit about him and how he got to where he did. A bit about how he feels during a farm visit. A bit about vowel pronunciation. And a lot on profitable cattle and sheep systems. All done whilst we are both in pyjamas just like Morecambe and Wise.
He didn't ask me to do this but if you are keen to get him out onto your farm on his next visit to the UK his email is [email protected]