Farm Gate

In this programme we're looking at the psychology of panic buying - and asking the question, is our food system resilient enough to cope? The media has been full of food jeopardy & empty shelves, but isn't panic buying an entirely reasonable response to crisis?  We've been watching this modern-day plague unfold since the start of the year, and the dramatic lock downs were trailed for weeks before they were enacted.  Despite the abrupt shift in consumer behaviour (we're all eating at home now) supermarkets are generally well-stocked, and farm shops are doing a roaring trade.  I'm joined by Jo White from Human Behaviour Change for Animals - and by Roland Bonney, a co-founder of FAI Farms. Produced by Farmwel.

The term Less & Better is frequently used by NGOs when trying to address consumption patterns to deliver sustainable meat and dairy.  But what does Less & Better mean?  And is it really as unifying as the NGOs would like to believe? This programme features Dr Sara Place, Chief Sustainability Officer at Elanco Animal Health, and former senior director for the United States National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and by Øistein Thorsen, the director of global sustainable food systems consultancy FAI Farms. Produced by Farmwel.

Why are facts no longer enough to change attitudes & behaviours?  How can we communicate new ideas & information in the modern world?  How can we persuade people to make the changes necessary to combat environmental & supply chain challenges?  In this programme we look at the psychology of Human Behaviour Change. We're joined by Jo White & Suzanne Rogers from Human Behaviour Change for Animals, & by Ruth Layton, a vet & co-founder of FAI Farms. Produced by Farmwel.

Farmers from across the world have issued a Joint Statement calling for governments to recognise the importance of the metric GWP*.  Signatories include the National Farmers' Union, CLA, National Sheep Association, and Beef & Lamb New Zealand.  While recognising that climate change is one of the most urgent challenges we face, farmers leaders are calling for the role of agricultural methane to be accurately recognised in policy and accurately accounted for in the foot-printing of agricultural emissions. ffinlo Costain speaks to Andrew Morrison the chairman of Beef & Lamb New Zealand, and to Phil Stocker, the chief executive of the UK's National Sheep Association. Produced by Farmwel.

It's widely accepted that climate change can impact on food availability in developing countries, potentially leading to conflict.  But what about developed nations such as the UK or the USA?  Could our own food supplies be threatened by climate change?  Could the complexity of our supply chains make us more vulnerable than we realise?   ffinlo Costain speaks to Caitlin Werrell, the co-founder of the Washington-based Centre for Climate & Security, which works closely with the Pentagon, and to Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti, the UK's former Climate, Energy & Security Envoy. Produced by Farmwel.

Signatories to the European Chicken Commitment must move from standard intensive indoor production systems for rearing meat chickens, to more humane, extensive indoor systems by the 1st of January 2026.  The Commitment has attracted widespread attention from broiler producers, and several major brands have already signed up - including KFC. How will the Commitment improve the lives and deaths of chickens reared for meat?  What are the practical implications of delivering the required standards, within the established time-frame? In this programme ffinlo Costain talks to Jenny Packwood, Director of Responsibility & Reputation for KFC UK & Ireland, and to Annie Rayner and Kelly Watson, experts in broiler systems and behaviour, working at FAI Farms. Produced by Farmwel and FAI Farms.

Dominic Cummings, the UK Prime Minister's strategist-in-chief, has said that he wants to shake up Government.  He's asked for ideas - and it would be churlish if we didn’t offer to help. ffinlo Costain has spoken to five big beasts of the UK food & farming community: Patrick Holden (Sustainable Food Trust), Mark Bridgeman (CLA), Sue Pritchard (RSA Food, Farming & Countryside Commission), Guy Smith (NFU), & Vicki Hird (Sustain).  Each has two minutes to pitch their reforms, followed by a conversation about their ideas.   The podcast is bursting with grand plans - and it's the perfect length for Dominic Cummings to listen to on his commute. Produced by Farmwel.

FAI Farms runs a beef and sheep operation near Oxford, UK, which is currently undergoing a transition from an organic to a regenerative system. With baseline carbon and nature foot-printing in place, progress will be closely monitored. Input costs have already reduced, with livestock now wintering outside on grass. FAI anticipates increasing its herd/flock size while also becoming global warming neutral and boosting biodiversity. In documenting and showcasing the transition in progress, they hope to inspire other farmers and companies to join the regenerative agriculture movement. Farm Gate presenter, ffinlo Costain, talks to farm manager Clare Hill, and regenerative farmer and consultant, Caroline Grindrod, from https://www.rootsofnature.co.uk/ Produced by Farmwel.

A farming life is generally a good life but it can be demanding & stressful.  It's hardly surprising that farmers can feel isolated, depressed, or unable to cope.   ffinlo Costain talks to Graham Morgan MBE, about farming, mental health, & mental illness.  Graham works for the Mental Health Commission for Scotland & volunteers with HUG action for mental health.  Graham's book, Start, describes his life, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.  It is fresh, unguarded, rather joyful, and surprisingly funny.   Graham recently spoke about mental illness to a conference organised by the National Farmers' Union of Scotland.   Produced by Farmwel.

Sam Hall is the director of the highly influential Conservative Environment Network.  With nearly 60 MPs making up its parliamentary caucus, CEN is the most important and influential network of environmentally-motivated Conservative activists and politicians in the United Kingdom. Produced by Farmwel.