In this episode, we are talking with Agrii’s Adam Simper, national grass, roots and environmental seeds manager and Simon Hobbs, cover crop, environmental and wildflower specialist. Today we will be exploring SFI options available for both livestock and arable farmers this season and considering what growers need to know in order to make the right decisions for their farming regime. Claim 1 BASIS and NRoSO point for listening to this podcast. Email info@agrii.co.uk with your membership number, f...
Mar 19, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 25
In this episode we are talking with Nick Bumford, farms director at Guiting Manor Farms ltd and Rob Willey national fertiliser commercial manager at Agrii. Today we are going to explore and understand the benefit of liquid fertilisers for improving crop performance and the performance of the farm business. Also, can liquid fertilisers help us balance the needs of the crop with the needs of the environment? Request for a copy of our liquid product guide by emailing info@agrii.co.uk . The guide co...
Mar 05, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Today we’re going to be talking with Lucy Cottingham, Agrii UK digital agronomy manager, Steve Portas agronomist and Northern technical advisor and Josh Murphy, RHIZA product manager. Agriculture is a very significant emitter of CO2 and today we are going to be talking about an innovative project called Nitrogen Climate Smart, which aims to bring about a reduction of 1.5mt of CO2 emissions per annum. The aim is to increase pulse and legume crops in arable cropping to 20%, the benefits of which t...
Feb 20, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Today we are going to be talking with Robert Stacey managing director of Rowe Farming here in Cornwall and Mike Dray, Agrii agronomist. Today we are going to be exploring the crop of daffodils, growing both for the cut market and also bulb market, understanding what it takes to get that produce to market, also the intricacies, the complexities and the challenges. View a range of handouts and videos looking at the vast range of biodiversity and natural resources on-farm, and simple practical meas...
Feb 20, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 22
Today we are going to be talking with David Purdy, territory business manager in East of England for John Deere and Steve Corbett, trials manager at Agrii. With a backdrop of a very wet winter; where some fields need re drilling and in other fields, we need to establish a spring crop. But how do we approach soils this spring to maximise crop performance in this very challenging season. With relentless winter rain in many parts of the country following an already challenging autumn for many, wint...
Feb 06, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Today we are talking with Petra Martin, group head of health and safety and Billy Hosdell, agronomist at Agrii. While we care for our animals and crops and the people around us, do we look after ourselves? We ask what are some of the key health risks and what can we learn from those who have real life experiences to share? We are giving every listener a copy of the FCN’s Fit for Farming booklet . Simply email your address to info@agrii.co.uk and we will send you one in the post (there is a male ...
Feb 06, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Today we are going to be talking with Will Evans, who was the chair of the 2024 Oxford Farming Conference. We are going to be asking Will about the key theme at this this years conference 'the power of diversity', what does that mean and what are the key challenges for our people, our farm businesses and the wider industry. To hear Will's opening speech at the OFC or view other reports visit https://www.ofc.org.uk/. Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming...
Jan 23, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 19
With over 27k downloads and 75 episodes available to download, today we are going to look back over some of the top ranking podcasts from the past three seasons. What were they, what were some of their most interesting moments and which was our favourite? Revisit three key podcasts and their take-homes for 2024: Striking a Healthy Balance with Spring Nutrition - Listen Here Coping with Loneliness and Isolation in Farming - Listen Here Seed Select: Unearthing Top Varieties for Autumn - Listen Her...
Jan 09, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Today, we're going to hear from Agrii's Rodger Shirreff, national seed business manager, John Miles, seed technical manager, and David Leaper seed technical specialist. With the launch of the new recommended list for cereals and oilseed rape, we're going to look into what's new and what does this mean for seed availability and the grower? View Seed Spring Yearbook here . Claim 1 BASIS and NRoSO point for listening to this podcast. Email info@agrii.co.uk with your membership number, full name, po...
Dec 12, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Today we are going to be talking farming with pride with Mike Wilkins, farm manager and Emily Brown, NFU county adviser. How open to diversity is our farming industry, why is that so important, what does that mean for so many and what can we do to make a difference? Join the conversation with Agrespect, the global LGBTQ+ farmers network, encouraging and supporting diversity in the countryside. Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduat...
Nov 28, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 16
In this episode we are going to be talking about digital innovation, and look at what could be the benefit of integrating these technologies into our farming. Also talking us through an exciting new project at Agrii we are joined by Jonathan Trotter, Technology Trials Manager and Lucy Cottingham, UK Digital Agronomy Development Manager. View Seed Spring Yearbook here . Claim 1 BASIS and NRoSO point for listening to this podcast. Email info@agrii.co.uk with your membership number, full name, post...
Nov 14, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Today we are going to hear from some of Agrii’s iFarms around the U.K. to find out more about this years headline results and learnings going forward for 2024. In this podcast, we start with a national overview from Agrii’s seed technical manager John Miles... The Harvest 2023 iFarm Results Report is now available here . Enclosed in this year’s report, you will find information useful to inform future decisions on variety choice for disease, pest and lodging management. Also, variety results on ...
Oct 30, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Today we are talking to Rod Smith, who farms in Northumberland, and Agrii agronomist Sam Brand. Having achieved a world record yield in 2015, Rod talks about what limits yield, how changes in farming techniques impacts crop potential and what he has learned and changed on his farm ready he hopes to achieve another breaking yield. Jump back to Harvest 2015 and watch the video where Rod and his team share the story on how they broke the world record here . Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Bas...
Oct 17, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Today we are talking to Agrii's Mark Glover, product manager for biologicals, adjuvants and micronutrition and Tim Horton, technical manager for combinable crops. Today we’re going to focus in on OSR and examine some of the early season challenges with some novel solutions. Read an article from Agrii's David Leaper, Seed Technical Manager, on an Eight Point Plan for Managing Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle here . Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming backgroun...
Oct 03, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Today we are talking to Freya Morgan who farms near Huntingdon and Jo Bell, agronomist at Agrii. Reducing the farm carbon footprint, why is that important, where do we start, what is right from your farm, what can we learn from others and crucially is there a benefit when it comes to crop productivity and the farm business. Are you looking for a new career? Agrii have a range of positions available from a marketing lead to crop input specialist. Visit the Agrii website for more information and g...
Sep 19, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Today, we are talking to Amy Watkins, sustainability manager at Agrii, and Joe Farmer, project coordinator of the Green Tractor Scheme. So why is it important to recycle farm plastic waste? What is the aim of the new Green Tractor Scheme and does this initiative help not only the environment but your farm business too. Agrii customers are able to claim a 5% discount when making a collection order with certain recycling specialists who are involved in the Green Tractor Scheme network. When making...
Sep 05, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In this episode, we are talking to Marek Nowakowski, Ecologist, Wildlife Expert and Consultant at Agrii and Paul Pickford Farm Business Consultant. Establishing farm habitats is a real focus for farmers, today we are going to examine the real cost and benefit. How can we balance the financial return with the cost of establishment, and ensure that creating wildlife habitats is good for the environment and the financial health of our farm businesses. Watch a range of videos delivered by Marek here...
Aug 22, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this episode, we are talking to Petra Martin, head of health and safety at Agrii, Alex Phillimore head of communications and development at FCN and Sam Bailey, Agrii agronomist and farmer. Today, we’re going to talk about loneliness and isolation. What are the causes? What are the effects and what can we do to combat this within the agricultural industry? We are giving every listener a copy of the FCN’s Fit for Farming booklet . Simply email your address to info@agrii.co.uk and we will send y...
Aug 08, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Today we are talking to Agrii's Tom Land, fertiliser technical manager and Josh Pratt, fertiliser product manager. Mitigating risk and managing opportunity with fertiliser - how can we do that when input costs and output prices can be so changeable, combined with the challenges of growing a crop. Learn more about our Agrii-Start fertiliser range, including Agrii-Start Release - a unique phosphorus activator in soils. Agrii-Start Release increases the availability of other soil nutrients, prevent...
Jul 25, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Today, we are at Groundswell 2023, here in Hertfordshire and we're joined by Amy Watkins, sustainability manager and Steve Corbett trials manager at Agrii, Simon Weaving from Weaving Machinery and Oliver Harris who farms in Dorset. A key topic of discussion here today is around organic matter. Why is it so important, what are we trying to achieve and how do we get there? And how do we benchmark and measure our soil organic matter levels? Listen to Tramline's #1 podcast “ Digging into Soil Organi...
Jul 11, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Today we are talking to farmer, Tom Martin, well-known farmer and influencer, farming near Peterborough and Agrii agronomist Neil Harper. Regen, what is the reality check that we honestly need to answer to be able to learn from and go forward? Today we are going to look at some of the critical areas in crop production to find that right balance. To discover more around the principles around regenerative farming, click here to access Insight Report 1: Improving Soil Resilience, which is the first...
Jun 27, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode we are talking to Richard Anthony of R&L Anthony Farms near Bridgend in South Wales, George Mills area sales manager of new Holland and Amy Watkins, sustainability manager from Agrii. Today we are exploring using methane to fuel the farm tractor, and if this is an opportunity to shape farming's future. In turn how can that help achieve net zero and is this a dream or reality? If you would like to read more on Richard Anthony’s carbon footprint journey, click here and explore ...
Jun 27, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode, we are talking to John Miles, Agrii Seed Technical Manager, and Agrii Crop Input Specialist, Sophie Dillon. "Variety Sustainability Ratings", what do they mean and how do we use them? Can making the right variety choices lower the risk, buy you time in season and maximise your productivity? Direct from our experts, get all the knowledge you need to make the best variety choices for your farm in one handy place. Get your Agrii Autumn Seed Yearbook here . Claim 1 BASIS and NRoSO p...
Jun 13, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this episode, we are talking to Peter Scott technical director from Origin Fertilisers and Ben Lowe national forage manager from Agrii. What can farmers do to balance their input costs with improving their grassland performance? What does that mean for the livestock enterprise? And how can we rethink grassland fertiliser as animal feed? The 2023 Agrii Guide to Grass and Roots is now available. This is a ‘golden’ edition of the document, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Master Leys. Downlo...
May 30, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Today we are at Thatcher's Cider Company, Myrtle Farm in the heart of Somerset, talking to Chris Muntz-Torres , farm manager, Richard Johnson, cider maker and Matt Greep horticultural agronomist at Agrii. Today we are going to ask key questions about sustainable crop production. How do we integrate IPM? And how do we connect growing a quality crop with a quality end product. Visit Agrii at the National Fruit Show on the 1st and 2nd November and the Vineyard and Winery show on the 22nd Nov 2023. ...
May 16, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In this episode we are kicking off season 3 talking to Marek Nowakowski, Ecologist, Wildlife Expert and Consultant at Agrii. We are visiting one of Marek's favourite wildlife sites in the stunning Oxfordshire countryside. SFI, stewardship and the environment are important topics of conversation, today we are going to look specifically at wildlife habitat and the important benefits for both wildlife and farm productivity. Asking how much habitat I need? Read more on how you can enhance the enviro...
May 02, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this episode, we are talking to consultant, Philip Marr and Agrii‘s Crop Inputs Specialists John Charlton and Matt Richardson. Today we are at the World Biogas Expo at the NEC in Birmingham, where a summary of results from the Brotherton iFarm forage trials and biogas plant were presented by Phil. We will be looking into those findings asking where are the key opportunities both financial and agronomic for the farm business. Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and wi...
Apr 18, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 26
In this episode, we’re talking to Agrii’s Jim Carswell, R&D manager in the North and Peter Southwell, who farms on the South of the Yorkshire Wolds. Today we discover the importance of analysing soil and plant health. Can this approach really make a difference in helping us enhance crop performance? Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture. He worked in the farming industry for many years before d...
Apr 04, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 25
In this episode, we’re talking to Tom Perrott, Crop Inputs Specialist at Agrii. Efficient farming is always a key topic, what does that mean as we look at this season and beyond? Today we are going to ask some questions, how can we improve efficiency of crop production that in turn leads to improved profitability. Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture. He worked in the farming industry for many yea...
Mar 21, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 24
In this episode we are talking to Sam Fordham, head of technical at RHIZA and Tom Land, fertiliser technical manager at Agrii. Today we are going to talk about nitrogen management for the spring, looking at variable rates, strategies and building in resilience. And why this is crucial for success at harvest. Find out more about Liqui-Safe here https://bit.ly/liqui_safe . Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) A...
Mar 07, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 23
