Ear to the Ground Podcast

Farmers are facing major change over the next few years. In this podcast, Euryn Jones, HSBC's Deputy Head of Agriculture and Chair of Farming Connect’s Strategic Advisory Board, shares his vision and advice on how to prepare your farming business for the future.

There is excitement in the sheepdog world! With dogs selling well and many world records having been broken recently, interest in training sheepdogs is on the rise in Wales. And back in 2018, a group of young farmers came together to form an Agrisgôp group to learn more about the craft. In this episode, we meet two members of the group; Dewi Jenkins and Elin Hope, as well as their leader; Elen Pencwm.

The government has set a target of reaching ‘net zero’ in terms of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and the NFU wants to see farmers reaching that target by 2040. But how are we going to get there? What is ‘net zero’ and what does it mean for farmers in Wales? To tackle these questions we catch-up with Hugh Martineau from Brecon, who is a part of a group of farmers who have come together to try and map out the path to ‘net zero’.

We recently visited one of our Prosper from pasture group members Bleddyn Davies, Blaenglowon Fawr, Talgarreg, Ceredigion to hear how his grazing management has evolved since enrolling on the programme and how this element now drives his business aspirations for the future.

Those were the sentiments of this week’s contributor, Prysor Williams. Aled Jones asks Prysor to share his vision for Welsh Agriculture for the next ten years and how Welsh Farming needs to grasp the opportunity to develop its brand of environmentally friendly and high animal welfare produce.

In this episode we meet two progressive farmers, Emyr Owen and Gwydion Jones who have decided to join forces and set up a spring calving herd on the hills above Llanrwst.

An unprompted interview with food and drink marketing expert Mark Mc C to discuss how we market our Welsh produce and how the food and drink industry in London see's the Welsh brand.

Despite the challenges the tourism industry has faced in recent months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a renewed interest in diversifying into holiday accommodation. With more people considering holidays within the UK, could this be an opportunity for farming businesses? In this episode, we hear the story of one our co-presenters, Jim Ellis, who’s family has combined farming with tourism for many years and Jim has recently completed a major renovation project of Plas Gwyn farmhouse. Tune in to hear more about his experiences and how Jim has put his skills in social media marketing to good use.

Earlier this year Rhys Williams of Precision Grazing Ltd visited New Zealand to meet leading agribusiness consultants, to observe sustainable livestock productions systems and to asses how their agricultural industry in responding to the environmental challenges. Tune in to find out what he learnt.

In 2017, Michael and Rachel George, had the idea to take beef from their family farm and turn into biltong – a meat snack inspired by South African culture. Three years later, the production has outgrown their kitchen to a purpose-built premises and they have successfully developed the “From Our Farm” brand. Tune in to hear their story.

In the first of a series of episodes looking at farm diversification, Jeremy Bowen Rees, Managing Director of Landsker Business Solutions, talks through the key considerations when developing a new rural enterprise, the emerging trends and future opportunities.

Growing Christmas Trees with David Phillips, Clearwell Farm, Cardiff, who has recently taken advantage of Farming Connect’s Management Exchange programme. Aled and Jim visit the farm at the busiest time of the year for them.

This episode comes from an area called Adfa near Newtown, the home of John Yeomans and his family at Llwyn y Brain Farm. John farms in partnership with his wife, Sarah, and the farm extends to 284 acres. They keep a suckler herd of about 70 cattle and a flock of 500 Beulah Speckled Faced Ewes.

The reason Aled and Jim have gone to see John is to hear more about his research project through Farming Connect’s Management Exchange programme, which enabled him to visit Ireland and Finland to broaden his understanding of how to improve grassland utilisation and to look at better grading systems for beef and lamb carcasses.

In this episode, Aled and Jim will be sharing some highlights from Farming Connect’s new event called Innovation and Diversification Wales. The podcast includes discussions with Daniel Sumner of Microsoft, Geraint Hughes of Madryn Foods, Wilfred-Emmanuel Jones (The Black Farmer), Cath Price of Upper Hall Farm and Eirwen Williams, Head of Farming Connect together with a number of the trade exhibitors and visitors.