Farm Gate

Interviews with: Max Bodmer from RePlanet - 1'05'' Elina Body from Vet Sustain and The George Farm Vets - 14'45'' Dr Kelly Hemmings from RAU - 24'50'' Navaratnam Partheeban from IVC Evidensia Farm Vets - 30'50''

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) are joined by regenerative farming expert, Niels Corfield. Stories discussed: Fluke control & prevention, beyond testing & treatment River Action taking government to court over River Wye pollution First Milk announces acquisition of BV Dairy Cost of living crisis causing loneliness epidemic for young people  New housing developments to deliver a boost for nature in landmark move Labour pulls ahead in crucial battle for the countryside vote

Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) chew through the week's land news, and talk to special guest, Rachel Jones (Sustain), about local food. News topics discussed: Scotland: Yousaf to continue 70 per cent direct funding, dependent on greening https://8point9.com/scotland-yousaf-to-continue-70-per-cent-direct-funding-dependent-on-greening/ Survey reveals bleak relations between landlords and tenant farmers - FFINLO https://8point9.com/survey-reveals-bleak-relations-between-landlords-and-tenant-farmers/ “Hidden” record of UK’s historic biodiversity to be digitised - PHIL https://8point9.com/hidden-record-of-uks-historic-biodiversity-to-be-digitised/ UK-wide exhibition spotlights regenerative food producers - FFINLO https://8point9.com/uk-wide-exhibition-spotlights-regenerative-food-producers/ Traceability markers to deliver transparency in recycled cotton supply chain - PHIL https://8point9.com/traceability-markers-to-deliver-transparency-in-recycled-cotton-supply-chain/ Cairngorms awarded £10.7 million to become first net zero UK National Park https://8point9.com/cairngorms-awarded-10-7-million-to-become-first-net-zero-uk-national-park/ National Parks must work for everyone https://8point9.com/national-parks-must-work-for-everyone/

Four interviews today: Rowan Phillimore from The Gaia Foundation about the We Feed The UK arts project Pete Ritchie from Nourish Scotland about the country's progress towards being a Good Food Nation Jon Parker from the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission in Wales talking about Welsh farm policy And Ignas van Schaick, the co-producer of a new movie, Planet Soil, which delves deep into the earth, turning invertebrates into stars.

ffinlo and Phil talk through the week's land use news and are joined by special guest, Rhys Evans, from the Nature Friendly Farming Network, Wales. News stories discussed: High-tech aerial mapping reveals England’s hedgerow landscape Economists calculate multi-trillion dollar opportunity to fix global food system UK-Canada trade talks halted over safeguarding British food standards “Deep concerns about biosecurity” at new GB border Soil Association pushes back against criticism of organic salmon A big win for grassland, but farmers need more Farming risks being “lured” by far-right rhetoric

Regular hosts Phil Carson and ffinlo Costain are joined by Stephen Alexander from the Nature Friendly Farming Network in Norther Ireland. News we discuss: NFU and AHDB to commission independent review of farm assurance Scottish Government publishes long-awaited Good Food Nation plans Supermarkets accused of “acting like a cartel” Farmers aim to save Long Compton Abattoir from closure Northern Ireland: Four-point plan to back nature-friendly farming NI faces a “public health emergency” unless permanent access to vet medicines is secured Future Amoc collapse linked to Greenland ice loss could have “profound impacts” Research says human behavioural crisis at root of ecological breakdown

A bumper programme, with five interviews covering everything from natural capital markets available to farmers to the fact that climate change is happening faster than predicted in Scotland. We'll hear from the Food Ethics Council about their proposals for UK dairy, from the head of the RSPB's Fair to Nature, and from a farmer who's successfully introduced hemp as a break crop. Helen Avery from the Green Finance InstituteAbi Williams from the Food Ethics CouncilChristy York from the Hutton Wandesley EstateMark Varney from Fair to NatureAnd Dr Mike Rivington from the James Hutton Institute.

Breed is critical to any livestock operation and an active breeding programme helps farmers to develop their herd around particular beneficial traits. In the run up to the British Cattle Breeders Club conference this January, we've been taking an in-depth look at how the traits and characteristics needed for regenerative farming differ from mainstream cattle production. We'll hear from three farmers with active on-farm breeding programmes - Sophie Wilson from Starveall Dairy - Silas Hedley Lawrence from FAI Farms - and Phyllis van Amburgh from Dharma Lea in the USA. We also hear from Rob Havard, who runs the breeding farm, Phepson Angus. From 8point9.com

This week Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) and ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) are joined by Rob Havard from Phepson Angus. Links to news stories discussed: Up to £25,000 for farmers affected by flooding Nuffield report investigates carbon farming and soil carbon markets A whole-sector approach needed to create resilience in UK dairy sector Over half of adults want UK farmers to prioritise nature-friendly farming *** 8.9 TV: Regenerative beef breeding: Rob Havard, Phepson Angus *** Flexible approaches needed to bring new entrants into small farming businesses New Toolkit will empower farmers to assess nature market opportunities

ffinlo Costain (8.9) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week's news - and welcome special guest, Clare Hill from Planton Farm. Links to topics discussed: First Milk farms revolutionising biodiversity and soil health assessment Changes to Woodland Carbon Code threaten UK timber supplies Woodland regeneration increases by 25% at Highlands National Nature Reserve Why nature-based solutions are essential in the carbon market Roots to Regeneration: a year-long transition programme for farmers and food professionals Cash boost and new incentives for nature-friendly farming welcomed Wildlife at risk on farms as vital hedge and river rules vanish