In this episode of Agronomy Matters , Thomas Vaughan, Environment Manager at BASIS, is joined by Tom Allen-Stevens, Oxfordshire farmer and founder of BOFIN, and Dr Dylan Phillips, geneticist and lecturer at Aberystwyth University. Together, they discuss precision breeding , a fast-developing area in UK farming. The conversation covers: What precision breeding is, and how it differs from traditional genetic modification The aims of the PROBITY project , the first European trial of precision-bred ...
Jul 02, 2025•45 min
Welcome back to Agronomy Matters ! In this latest episode, host Thomas Vaughan, Environment Manager at BASIS, ventures into the fascinating realm of insects , exploring why these tiny creatures play an outsized role in our ecosystems. Joining Thomas is Kirk Mason, a passionate entomologist, science communicator, and wildlife photographer whose work has been featured by BBC Wildlife Magazine and Springwatch. Kirk has also collaborated with BASIS on a new microlearning series, shining a light on t...
May 09, 2025•30 min
In this episode of Agronomy Matters , we take you deep underground to explore Boulby Mine, home to the world’s only polyhalite mining operation. Located in East Cleveland, this extraordinary site is the UK’s deepest mine and a key player in sustainable agriculture. Join us as we uncover the mining behind polyhalite, a unique multi-nutrient fertiliser, and hear from the workers here how the mining operation has changed over the years as well as learn about the mines fascinating history to its vas...
Apr 23, 2025•15 min
In this episode of Agronomy Matters , host Thomas Vaughan, Environment Manager for BASIS, dives into the exciting world of agronomy and the rewarding career paths it offers. Joining the discussion are Greig Baird, Head of Agronomy Teams Scotland, and Laura Buckingham, Area Business Manager for Anglia at Agrii. They share their journeys into agronomy, the essential skills for success, and how the role of an agronomist has evolved over the years. From career highs and challenges to the importance ...
Feb 06, 2025•33 min
While our regular host, Thomas Vaughan, is enjoying a well-earned break on the ski slopes, Jessica Deunert, Marketing & Communications Manager at BASIS, steps in to introduce this episode. In this conversation: Harry Henderson, BASIS Technical Manager, interviews Ian Holmes, Farm Technical Director at Strawson Limited, a third-generation family farming business specializing in cereal and vegetable production across the UK. Together, they explore the fascinating world of winter vegetable farm...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Welcome to another episode of Agronomy Matters! Hosted by Thomas Vaughan, Commercial Manager for BASIS, this episode dives into two topics in sustainable agriculture and carbon management: Enhanced Weathering: Featuring Jez Wardman, Chief Agronomist at UNDO. Jez shares insights into the innovative practice of spreading basalt rock dust on agricultural land to capture carbon and improve soil health. We’ll explore the science behind this approach, the outcomes of trials conducted with Newcastle Un...
Nov 29, 2024•42 min
Agronomy Matters is back! After a summer break, we return with an essential episode on health and safety in agriculture. Stephanie Berkeley from the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) reflects on this summer’s Farm Safety Week and how the Foundation is encouraging safer practices on farms. Gillian Nicholls, Principal Epidemiologist with the HSE's PIPAH study, discusses the importance of the study, shares recent findings, and explains how sprayer operators can get involved. Tune in to stay i...
Oct 24, 2024•45 min
In this month’s episode, we’re summarising Groundswell 2024. We’ll chat with folks from various stands including direct drill manufacturers, Rothamsted Research, the University of Cambridge, the Sustainable Food Trust, and more. Our goal is to give you a taste of the discussions and ideas from this year’s event, especially for those who couldn’t make it. Tune in and get a feel for what Groundswell 2024 was all about! Find out more about our training opportunities here https://bit.ly/basiseducati...
Jul 01, 2024•40 min
In this episode of Agronomy Matters, host Thomas Vaughan, the Environment Manager for BASIS, welcomes two guests from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust: Sarah Johnson and Mike Longden. Sarah and Mike are members of the Peatlands Team. One of their many projects involves exploring paludiculture, also known as wetter farming. Through initiatives such as the wetter farming trial at Rindle Field, they work to restore degraded peatlands, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate climate change while maintaining...
Jun 17, 2024•34 min
Welcome to this episode of Agronomy Matters! Join us as we journey into the world of UK sugar beet production with Dr. Vicky Foster, Head of BBRO. Discover BBRO's strategies for addressing aphid challenges in the upcoming season and learn about the impacts of the wet winter on sugar beet farmers' decision-making. Gain insights into the expected pest landscape and how growers can navigate it using Integrated Pest Management principles. We'll also discuss the influences of market dynamics and sust...
Apr 26, 2024•21 min
In this episode of Agronomy Matters, listeners are invited on an exploratory journey into the future of farming with two distinguished guests. As the UK embraces the potential of drone technology across various sectors, including agriculture, our guests shed light on its burgeoning significance. Rob Pearson, CEO of Autospray Systems, shares insights into the cutting-edge advancements in drone technology and its implications for agriculture. Alongside Rob is Richard Binks, a Technical Consultant ...
Mar 26, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Welcome to another episode of Agronomy Matters! In this edition, our host, Thomas Vaughan, Environment Manager for BASIS, takes listeners on a deep dive into the world of regenerative agriculture, shining a spotlight on the recently launched and crowd-funded film, "Six Inches of Soil." This insightful discussion features key figures from the film, including the producer, Claire Mackenzie, and one of its leading stars. "Six Inches of Soil" unfolds an inspiring narrative that showcases the efforts...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 4
In this episode of Agronomy Matters, Thomas Vaughan, Environment Manager for BASIS, delves into the world of sustainable hedgerow management with our guest, Megan Gimber, Key Habitats Officer for the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES). The episode kicks off with an overview of the recent updates to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) announced by the UK government in January 2024. The SFI plays a crucial role in shaping farming practices by providing government funding for actions ...
Jan 26, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Join, Thomas Vaughan, our Environment Manager at BASIS, as we embark on an exclusive tour of the acclaimed British Potato Show in our latest episode. Let's dive deep into the heart of potato country, exploring the highs and lows of the 2023 potato crop while uncovering the challenges and opportunities shaping the current potato industry landscape. 🥔 Fiona's Insights on Fungicide Resistance - Our first stop takes us to SAC Consulting, where Fiona delves into the critical issue of fungicide resis...
Nov 29, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 2
This month’s episode of Agronomy Matters is hosted by Thomas Vaughan, the recently appointed Environment Manager for BASIS. Thomas is joined by two experts who share their wealth of knowledge in soil health and environmental management. The first guest, a previous podcast host, Jade Prince, a seasoned soil expert, now works at Farmacy, part of Hutchinson’s. Jade has been instrumental in working with BASIS, designing the course content for the new “Improving Soil Health” course series. Jade will ...
Oct 11, 2023•40 min•Season 4Ep. 1
This month we have a BASIS Special as we speak to three members of the BASIS team. We are joined by Stephen Jacob, BASIS Chief Executive Officer, Andy Brooks, Head of Education and Membership Services and Teresa Meadows, Head of Environment, Audit and Public Affairs. Together we will review the highlights of 2022, discuss some of the upcoming challenges for the industry and talk about how BASIS will continue to support members as we move in to 2023. We will talk about the management of the Natio...
Feb 03, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 13
This month we are embracing the festivities with a Christmas themed episode. Our first guest, Andy Richardson, joins us to talk about the only vegetable that we could possibly choose to discuss at this time of year, one that divides opinion at every single Christmas dinner table, the Brussel Sprout. Andy has been an agronomist for 30 years and is the Technical Director for the Brassica Growers Association and joins us to share all his expert knowledge about this controversial veg. No Christmas d...
Dec 20, 2022•48 min•Season 3Ep. 12
This month we are talking all about Potato Cyst Nematode, an important pest in most areas of the country where potatoes are grown. It is during the autumn and winter months that we look to soil sample fields and prepare machinery, so on this episode we meet with three experts to learn more about sampling, controls, machinery calibration and the nematicide stewardship programme. Our first guest is independent agronomist, Simon Alexander. Simon takes us through the 6 best practice steps to the Nem...
Dec 07, 2022•41 min•Season 3Ep. 11
This month following the launch of our Principles of Sustainable Land Management course back in May we are catching up with four experts who have completed the course to find out why they did it, what they learnt and how they will manage land more sustainability in the future. Our first guest is Linda Bratley, Managing Director at Rural Business Services Ltd. Linda and her team offer a wide range of on farm advice from BPS to nutrient management plans and they are finding themselves becoming mor...
Nov 08, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 10
With harvest of cereals and oilseed rape now complete across the UK, this month we talk about crop storage. Compared to selling grain at harvest, storing grain for sale later can attract a premium. This economic incentive can mean grain is stored for long periods prior to processing. During this time the grain may be at risk from pests, fungi or moisture. In this podcast we are joined by two guest speakers who provide us with guidance on how we can help minimise the risks to stored grain. Our fi...
Oct 07, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 9
This month we talk about black grass - one of the biggest challenges to profitable arable farming in the main cereal growing areas of the UK. With its high seed production, variable dormancy and herbicide resistance, black grass has become a major headache to many farmers. We have been forced to adapt our way of working to manage the threat of black grass competition and in this episode of Agronomy Matter we are joined by three experts who help us to understand the best methods of black grass co...
Aug 26, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Health and safety is stereotypically a bit boring. Like with legislation it’s one of those topics that just comes with a bit of a yawn and a sigh, but with continued and rising concern over the high level of accidents within the agricultural industry it’s important that we, at BASIS, do what we can to support our members safety. This month’s episode has been released early to show our support for the Yellow Wellies campaign; Farm Safety Week. We know our BASIS members will often find themselves ...
Jul 17, 2022•42 min•Season 3Ep. 7
This month’s episode of the Agronomy Matters Podcast focuses on Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE). Nitrogen use efficiency has become a bit of buzz word recently but can be regarded as something that is not easy to define so this podcast aims to help listeners improve their understanding of nitrogen use efficiency and explain how we can use it to help improve our nutrient management in the future. Nitrogen Use Efficiency has always been important but with unsteady and unpredictable fertiliser prices...
Jun 29, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 6
The removal of the Basic Payment Scheme and introduction of the new Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) is one of the most significant changes to UK agriculture in a generation. There are three new schemes being introduced over the new few years, starting with the Sustainable Farming Incentive, with applications opening to all farmers and land managers later in 2022. During this episode of the Agronomy Matters podcast we hear from two speakers who can explain a bit more about what these...
Jun 14, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 5
With the return of LAMMA, the UK’s leading agricultural machinery, equipment and technology show, on the 4th and 5th May, we thought we would focus this month’s episode of the Agronomy Matters podcast on cultivations. Net zero is a current hot topic and there is no doubt that reducing cultivations can be a factor in cutting carbon dioxide emissions and increasing sequestration in the soil but what are the benefits of cultivations, and when and why should cultivations be used. Well on this episod...
May 03, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 4
For this month’s episode of the Agronomy Matters podcast, we are focussing on Regenerative Agriculture. We were joined by Joe Stanley, the author of Farm to Fork, which was chosen by our members as the first book for the BASIS Book Club. Joe gave us a great insight into the content of his book, a glimpse behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a published author and provided us with a fantastic introduction to regenerative agriculture to kick of this month’s podcast. We were then joined by thr...
Mar 29, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 2
For this month’s episode of the Agronomy Matters podcast, we are focussing on how new technology and innovative growing practices are being utilised within fruit production to develop more sustainable, productive and efficient farming systems. We were also joined by Tanya Kesterton, BASIS’s Head of Digital Learning, who explained how we are using technology at BASIS to offer new and improved products and services to our members, candidates and to the wider industry. Our three guest speakers on t...
Mar 01, 2022•49 min•Season 3Ep. 2
On our first episode of 2022 we speak to four guests about mental health awareness in agriculture. Firstly, we speak to Sheena Horner, a chilli farmer from Scotland. Sheena founded Run1000 , a running event set up to increase awareness of rural mental health and raise money for mental health charities. Having raised over £51,500 for charities including RSABI, DPJ Foundation, Vetlife and YANA, Sheena won the British Farming Hero Award 2021. Our second speaker, Kate Miles, joins us from the DPJ Fo...
Jan 17, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 1
On our final episode of the year we have decided to do a 2021 in review episode, where we will be speaking to three guests about their experiences over the last 12 months, as well as what their predictions are for 2022. Firstly we spoke to independent agronomist Patrick Stephenson to get his view on the challenges farmers and agronomists have had to face in 2021, as well as looking at what changes might happen in the industry over the next few years. Our second guest on this episode is Natalie W...
Dec 21, 2021•55 min•Season 2Ep. 11
This year we had the 26th annual summit of the United nations climate change conference; COP26. From the 31st October until the 12th November world leaders, government representatives, businesses and citizens will arrive in Scotland for twelve days of talks around how to tackle climate change. To coincide with this important event in this month’s Agronomy Matters Podcast we discuss all things net zero with some experts from the field. First, we have Becky Willson , Business Development and Techn...
Nov 12, 2021•57 min•Season 2Ep. 10
