Farm Gate

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

In Field, Fork, Fashion, Alice V Robinson takes readers on a journey into the afterlife of Bullock 374, to help people understand the origin story of leather and its intrinsic connection to food and farming. ffinlo Costain is joined by Alice V Robinson - and by Sara Grady - who, with Alice, recently established British Pasture Leather, which sources and processes cattle hides from Pasture for Life farms for the UK fashion industry. You can buy Field, Fork, Fashion here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781645021193 And visit British Pasture Leather here: https://britishpastureleather.com/

ffinlo Costain (8.9) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week’s land use news. Tree equity map shows less affluent areas have lower tree cover Commoning and pastoralism central to Dartmoor land management British Sugar fails to deliver on 3 year plan to end use of banned neonicotinoids OF&G white paper highlights benefits of 10% organic English farmed area Patrick Holden, COP28, Reflections from the inside AIIB proposes defining nature as infrastructure Final consultation opens for Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme Grass measuring reduces input costs by £20,000 for Welsh Dairy farmer Sheep farmer trials peas and beans as soya alternative

Interviews with: Lesley Lambert from the Sustainable Food Trust - in advance of COP28 - talking about the opportunities Andrew Mahon from the Bromborough Estate Company on agroforestry Amy Bateman, the photographer behind Forty Farms - and coffee table book and now a farm trail photography exhibition Patrick Holden on COP28 - his reflections from the inside.

ffinlo Costain (8.9) and Phil Carson (Nature Friendly Farming Network) discuss the week's land use news. Clash of world views: Parliamentary push back against regen farming based on “outdated world view” Green Alliance: Failure to support farmers to cut carbon could cost £100 billion by 2050 Cost of poor food policy: Annual cost of UK obesity soars to £98 billion Cost of living crisis results in lowest vegetable purchases for 50 years COP28: The Elders’ calls to action for COP28 Exploring the benefits of shade and shelter Andrew Mahon, Bromborough Estate Company, Agroforestry UK food basket at risk from extreme weather Policy: Welsh farming and environment groups call for rural budget to be maintained