We Can Do Both
Neil Parish
To grow food or to protect nature? It often seems as if one can only be done at the expense of the other. In this podcast, farmer & ex-MP Neil Parish seeks to find out if, in fact, we can do both.Our relationship with food is on the brink of a massive shift. Global instability disrupting food security, UK farmers are being incentivised to promote biodiversity rather than grow food. And climate change is starting to transform what we grow, what we eat and how we live. As a Somerset farmer, Neil Parish is facing up to all these changes. And as an EU & UK parliamentarian, for 20 years he helped design the policies that shape our food system. Now, he has unfinished business. In this podcast, local, national & global experts join Neil to tackle crucial questions about the past, present and future relationship between food and the environment.Produced by: jakelloyd.co.ukSocial media by millyfyfe.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 28, 2024 • 32min
Reducing nutrient run-off and methane emissions
BRUCE GRIFFITHS is from North Wyke Farm near Oakhampton in Devon. His job: to a run a team that’s researching how farming can reach net zero and become resilient to the effects of climate change. In this episode Neil joins Bruce for a tour of the farm, and finds out what clever methods they are employing to understand and reduce the environmental footprint of farming in the UK.In this episode: an introduction to the work of the farm (1m02s); using satellite data in order to apply fertiliser more judiciously (3m48s); ways to monitor methane gas emissions from livestock (7m14s); ways to reduce methane from livestock (12m36s); a tour of the run-off monitoring shed (16m43s); and a demonstration of the methane monitoring device (25m27s).Read about Bruce and Rothemstead ResearchFollow Rothemstead Research on Twitter/XThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 21, 2024 • 27min
Producing craft cider from traditional orchards
Traditional orchards are a “priority habitat” according to the Government’s Biodiversity Action Plan. In this episode, Neil is led through one such orchard by farmer JUSTIN WEEKES and his father, whose Ridge & Furrow Cider farm has won awards both for its sweet craft cider, and for the wildlife that the orchards support.In this interview: what a ‘ridge and furrow’ orchard means (2m07s); Justin’s approach to grazing in the orchard (6m10s); the perils of drinking alcohol after being stung by bees (8m43s); biodiversity on the farm (11m03s); their thoughts on fertilisers (13m28s); Neil meets their cattle (18m40s); Neil finds out how the cider is made (21m45s).Visit the Ridge & Furrow Cider Farm websiteRead about the Biodiversity Action Plan’s Priority HabitatsLearn about the countryside stewardship scheme of which Justin’s farm is a partThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 21, 2024 • 42min
Managing flooding on lowland farms
In this engaging discussion, James Winslade, a third-generation beef and arable farmer from Sedgemoor, shares insights on the challenges of farming in flood-prone areas. He talks about using pumps for water management and how prolonged flooding affects biodiversity and carbon storage. James advocates for better floodwater management and compensation for farmers who store water on their fields to protect communities. With a cautious optimism, he reflects on the future of farming, balancing food production with wildlife preservation and sustainability.
Jan 12, 2024 • 2min
We Can Do Both - Promo
How can UK farmers both grow good food AND protect the environment? Join NEIL PARISH at his dining table to find out why he'll be seeking to answer this question in this new podcast.This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
