Agricology Podcast

www.agricology.co.uk is a hub that explores moving towards farming systems that harness ecological processes & holistic approaches to help balance productive agriculture with enhancing the wider environment. In 2020, we chatted with some of the movers & shakers in the fields, labs & food supply chains; focusing on sustainable farming practices in ‘Agroecology in focus’ & speaking with innovating farmers ‘In the field.’ We are back in 2024 ‘In conversation with’ an exciting line up of farmers, researchers, advisors & industry figures who we set out to explore the practical, philosophical & pertinent with in relation to balancing the health of the farm with the environment & farming in a way that aims at ensuring a resilient future for us all.

Optimal Carrying Capacity - In Conversation With Bill Grayson 11/21/2024

Optimal Carrying Capacity - In Conversation With Bill Grayson In this fourth episode we are joined by renowned conservation grazier Bill Grayson who brings us his perspective on the concept of optimal carrying capacity and the way that it is deployed as part of the Morecambe Bay Conservation Grazing Company. He discusses how they go about planning putting animals on to a piece of land, the various practical considerations, and the role livestock play and the benefits they can bring to the land, along with the main challenges in relation to the conservation grazing picture against a backdrop of a pervading opinion of ruminants causing climate change. We touch on the impacts of stocking rate, forage management, breed selection, extended calving period, the set stocking versus mob grazing approach, and the difference between ‘maximum sustainable output’ (essentially an economic interpretation) and optimal carrying capacity, and how it fits with agroecological principles. Show notes: Read about the Chillingham cattle, explore the ‘Less is more' report and the ‘Farming for Change’ model Bill refers to, and access another interesting read recommended by Bill here: /episode/index/show/agricology/id/34036647

Optimal Carrying Capacity - In Conversation With Kate Still 11/14/2024

Optimal Carrying Capacity - In Conversation With Kate Still This third episode of the new Agricology podcast season features Kate Still from the ’s Farming and Land Use team. Kate comes to the conversation with a whole farm approach in mind and the need to balance what farms can support to create healthy animals, healthy farmers and a healthy farm bank balance with as few inputs as possible. Her quiet wisdom comes across as she considers strategies and approaches to optimising rather than maximising livestock production. We discuss the highlights from some of the field labs Kate’s been involved with, which have looked into strategies including the use of herbal leys, winter forage options and transitioning to new grazing systems. We speak about the challenges of getting new grazing strategies ‘right,’ having the infrastructure to make rotational grazing happen, and training staff to be able to do this. Show notes: Read about the field labs Kate mentions, the University of Reading diverse forage programme, and the work of New Zealand Advisor John King here: /episode/index/show/agricology/id/33927847

Optimal Carrying Capacity - In Conversation With Dr Lindsay Whistance 11/07/2024

Optimal Carrying Capacity - In Conversation With Dr Lindsay Whistance In this episode we are joined by Dr Lindsay Whistance, Senior Livestock Researcher at the . Lindsay, who started her working life as a dairy herds-woman, comes to the conversation through the lens of animal welfare. The episode is an enlightening exploration of thoughts and ideas relating to optimal carrying capacity. It covers topics including the important partnership between humans and livestock which can be lost when animals are reduced to being just a tool, and the need for wider acknowledgement of animals' fundamental place in the ecology of a landscape, being critically important to ecological health. Lindsay touches on how we can provide for animal’s needs, farming in a way that allows animals to adopt natural behaviours, and approaches that can help balance the relationship between human, animal and environment. She also considers peoples different conceptions of "good animal welfare" and the challenges associated with focusing on health in the round. Show notes: Find the David Fraser paper Lindsay references . The poem by William Henry Davis Lindsay mentions can be found . /episode/index/show/agricology/id/33818598

Optimal Carrying Capacity - In Conversation With Richard Gantlett 11/07/2024

Optimal Carrying Capacity - In Conversation With Richard Gantlett In the first of a new series exploring optimal carrying capacity, we speak to biodynamic farmer , from Yatesbury House Farm in Wiltshire. He talks about farm operations and highlights the approaches used; from dynamic rotational grazing to the role of herbal leys, and what he refers to as being a "forest farm approach." He explains how spending time with Alex Podolinsky has inspired the emphasis he now puts on the use of observation as a farmer. We look into the environmental impacts of livestock and Richard explains how research on his farm shows he has a negative carbon balance. He also touches on some of the tricky elements of the debate surrounding livestock emissions, and perceptions around this subject. Show notes: Find out about Obsalim , read about Alex Podolinsky and dive in to Richard’s PhD . /episode/index/show/agricology/id/33817846

Three Hagges Woodmeadow - Agroforestry combining woodland & meadows 09/12/2021

Three Hagges Woodmeadow - Agroforestry combining woodland & meadows This episode features our visit to Three Hagges where we were shown around by Woodmeadow officer Dan Carne & one of the founders Ros Forbes Adam. They talk about what a woodmeadow is, potential relevance to farmers, layout of the site, how it was created & is now managed, tips for farmers interested in putting some land over to a combination of woodland & meadow, & thoughts about wider scale adoption of woodmeadows & agroforestry. It is produced as part of 'A National Network of Agroforestry Farms' project. /episode/index/show/agricology/id/20390219

Bill & Cath Grayson - Agroforestry & Conservation Grazing 09/07/2021

Bill & Cath Grayson - Agroforestry & Conservation Grazing Organic livestock farmers Bill & Cath Grayson run the Morecambe Bay Conservation Grazing Company. They practice conservation grazing on semi-natural habitats of woodland & limestone grassland scrub which can be described in agroforestry terms as wood pasture. Our editor talks to them about what they do, how they came to do it, benefits & challenges they’ve encountered & thoughts on wider scale adoption of agroforestry. The episode is produced as part of 'A National Network of Agroforestry Farms' project. /episode/index/show/agricology/id/20389934

Agroecology in Focus - Biofumigation 04/30/2021

Agroecology in Focus - Biofumigation In this episode we explore the science and practice of biofumigation - the use of a temporary brassica (mustard) cover crop to help manage soil pathogens and weeds. Katie Bliss introduces footage from a webinar which features researcher Dr Matthew Back (Harper Adams University) and Alec Roberts (Tozer Seeds) in a lively discussion with a group of growers innovating with enhancing diversity in protected cropping as part of the DiverIMPACTS project. /episode/index/show/agricology/id/18912527

Agricology in the Field - Mike Mallett 03/05/2021

Agricology in the Field - Mike Mallett Mike Mallett is farm manager of Maple Farm Kelsale, a 138-hectare organic farm in Suffolk which is mostly arable with some permanent pasture, woodland, horticulture & laying hens. He talks about regenerative agriculture, beneficial weeds, intercropping, the extensive agroforestry on the farm & providing for the hens’ health & welfare, with some fascinating insights; from breed selection to innovations in feed supply & his involvement in OK-Net Ecofeed. View the full farmer profile on the Agricology websit /episode/index/show/agricology/id/18202982

Know Your Soils and Know Your Sales 02/02/2021

Know Your Soils and Know Your Sales In this episode we hear from organic mixed min till farmer John Pawsey & arable conservation ag no-till farmer Clive Bailye in featured footage from an online event ‘Know your soils and know your sales’ that took place in July 2020 as part of OF&G’s NOCC, with support from the AHDB. Renowned broadcaster Charlotte Smith leads the conversation which focuses on their approaches & practices they deploy that equip their farming businesses with resilience in light of the many environmental & economic challe /episode/index/show/agricology/id/17726057

Farm system health - Richard Gantlett 12/18/2020

Farm system health - Richard Gantlett Richard farms beef cattle & cereals biodynamically at Yatesbury House Farm in Wiltshire UK. In this episode we talk to him about his involvement in the Farm System Health project; which brought together international farmers who have established personal philosophies & strategies of best practice that make them successful in running healthy farms & producing healthy food. Richard reflects on exploring health principles with the farmers & how these principles are embedded in his farming practices & approach. /episode/index/show/agricology/id/17245280

Farm System Health - Iain Tolhurst (Tolly) 11/13/2020

Farm System Health - Iain Tolhurst (Tolly) Iain Tolhurst runs one of the longest running stock-free organic vegetable farms in England. In this episode we talk to him about his involvement in the Farm System Health project - which brought together international farmers who have established personal philosophies & strategies of best practice that make them successful in running healthy farms & producing healthy food. We ask him what farm system health means to him & how he relates his practices to the 10 principles of health defined in the project. /episode/index/show/agricology/id/16796294

Agricology in the Field - Wendy Seel 11/02/2020

Agricology in the Field - Wendy Seel Wendy Seel runs “organic, grown with nature, small scale & local” Vital Veg at North Tillydaff farm near Aberdeen. She describes the design of their growing system, ways in which they build soil fertility, attract pollinators & pest predators, increase biodiversity, & get as much diversity & variation in time, space & variety as they can. She particularly focuses on the way in which trees have been integrated & the many beneficial functions they serve. View the full farmer profile on the Agricology webs /episode/index/show/agricology/id/16649153

Land Sharing and Sparing 09/25/2020

Land Sharing and Sparing In this episode, we explore ideas around land sharing and sparing; considering how to balance the need for sustainable food production with the need to protect the environment and wild spaces in the future. The discussion is hosted by Charlotte Smith and recorded as part of NOCC online in partnership with OF&G. Featuring Sue Pritchard; Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, Roger Kerr; OF&G, Bruce Pearce; Organic Research Centre, and Vicki Hird from Sustain: The Alliance for Better Food and Farming. /episode/index/show/agricology/id/16156238

Agricology in the Field - Jonathan Smith 08/25/2020

Agricology in the Field - Jonathan Smith Jonathan Smith, organic grower on St Martins, Isles of Scilly, talks about why he farms as he does and describes how he uses seaweed, compost and green manures to build soil organic matter and fertility. He touches on challenges he faces, treating the farm like an ecosystem; focusing on biodiversity, and explains how he has used the Farm Carbon Calculator to gain more detailed understanding of his farm and inform his practices. View the full farmer profile on the Agricology website. /episode/index/show/agricology/id/15745265

Agricology in the Field - Julian Gold 07/24/2020

Agricology in the Field - Julian Gold In this latest podcast we are ‘In the field’ with Julian Gold, farm manager of 800 ha of combinable crops at Hendred Estate in Oxfordshire. He introduces the farm & talks about experiences & aspirations of transitioning to farming in a way that is less harmful to the environment & biodiversity. He describes his soil health & carbon capture strategy, biological methods of pest control trials he is running, & his drive to reduce nitrogen use. You can view the full farmer profile on the Agricology website. /episode/index/show/agricology/id/15326963

Getting Started with Agroecological Farming 06/26/2020

Getting Started with Agroecological Farming There is increasing recognition of the benefits of integrated agroecological farming systems but where to start? Farmers David Rose & George Young share their experiences of moving towards an agroecological approach. They talk about joint enterprises, integrating livestock & a diversity of crops into the rotation and establishing an agroforestry system. Sharing some of the practicalities & rewards. This recording was hosted by Agricology (www.agricology.co.uk) as an open online discussion. /episode/index/show/agricology/id/14961935

Agricology Podcast

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