Defra Farming Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Episode 18 of the Defra Farming podcast is hosted by Richard Thompson, the UK’s first Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA). He is joined by Paul Tompkins, NFU Dairy Board Chair, and Michael Masters Head of Milk Supply & Operations at Barber’s Cheesemakers. 

Richard explains his role in enforcing the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 (FDOM24) and how he can support farmers improve transparency and contractual fairness. Together, they discuss how the new regulations are reshaping dairy supply chains. They share insights on pricing mechanisms, producer organisations, and how farmer–processor collaboration can help manage volatility. 

The conversation highlights a shared message: fairness and transparency, and early communication are key to building resilient farmer–processor relationships.

Links mentioned in this episode:
 
Email the ASCA team in confidence at ASCA-in-confidence@defra.gov.uk

The Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA): rules and guidance

Guidance on dairy and milk production

ASCA – First annual report – 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025

Defra Farming blog

In episode 17 of the Defra Farming podcast, host Neil Pickard—a farming adviser with more than 45 years’ experience in livestock and mixed farming—speaks with Soil Farmer of the Year 2023, Stuart Johnson, and Understanding Ag farming adviser, Kyle Richardville.

Stuart, a tenant farmer in Northumberland, explains how he has shifted his family’s mixed sheep and cattle farm away from conventional high-input practices towards a system focused on soil health. Kyle brings the scientific perspective, drawing on his research into soil microbial populations and his work supporting farmers across the US and UK.

Together, they discuss how improving soil health can help reduce reliance on expensive inputs, build resilience, and improve business efficiency. The conversation covers practical steps for mixed and arable farms as well as the specific challenges of all-grassland systems in both upland and lowland situations.

🔗 Useful links mentioned in this episode:

• Defra Farming blog
  
  
• Stuart Johnson bio
  
  
• Kyle Richardville bio
  
  
• Understanding Ag
  
  
• Grounded – The Regenerative Farming Podcast
  
  
• Soil Farmer of the Year competition

The Sustainable Farming Incentive is now open for applications. Through SFI, farmers will be paid for looking after the natural environment while they're farming. This year, we’ll start paying farmers for taking care of their soil or assessing the condition of moorland. From next year, we’ll be expanding the range of SFI actions farmers can get paid for.

For episode 8 of the Future Farming Podcast, we brought together Cambridgeshire farmer Martin Lines and Defra Sustainable Farming Incentive lead Jonathan Marsden to talk about all things SFI and land management. Jonathan explains about the SFI funding that farmers can apply for now, and the new funding that will be available to farmers for environmental land management in the next few years. 

Find out how to apply for SFI.

In the seventh episode of the Future Farming podcast, Tim Mordan, Defra’s Head of Farming Innovation, Productivity and Science talks to Rui Andrês, CEO of Fieldwork Robotics, about their innovative raspberry robot picker.

Listen to find out how the project was developed, initially at Plymouth University, and then with the help of government innovation funding to bring it to market.

Find out more about government innovation funding for farming:

How we're encouraging innovation in farming

UKRI: find out about farming innovation funding

In the fifth episode of the Future Farming podcast, Defra Future Farming and Countryside Programme Director Janet Hughes talks to policy lead for the Farming Investment Fund Sarah Evered.

Listen to find out how the team designed the fund, what we've learned from launching it and what's coming next.

In the sixth episode of the Future Farming podcast, Janet talks with British Farming Awards Arable Innovator of the Year Tim Parton.

Tim is Farm Manager at Brewood Park Farm, Staffordshire, where he manages 300 hectares using regenerative agriculture methods. Listen in to find out how Tim has moved to no-till, reduced insecticide and fungicide use and brewed his own nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Follow Tim @parker419 and Janet @JanetHughes on Twitter.

In September 2021 the Farming Forum held a two-part Q&A session with Janet Hughes, Defra’s Future Farming and Countryside Programme Director. Farmers were invited to submit their questions about the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Clive Bailye, Director of the Farming Forum, put the most-asked questions to Janet.

The original videos can be watched here and here. We are making this version available as slightly abridged highlights version on the podcast. 

In our third Future Farming podcast, Janet Hughes talks to Gabe Brown.

Gabe has been named one of the twenty-five most influential agricultural leaders in the United States. He is one of the pioneers of the soil health movement and author of the book, “Dirt to Soil, One Family’s Journey Into Regenerative Agriculture.”

He farms at Brown’s Ranch, a diversified 5,000 acre farm and ranch in North Dakota, with his wife Shelly and son Paul.

Gabe is  a partner in the regenerative farming consultancy Understanding Ag and an instructor for the Soil Health Academy, which teaches the power and importance of healthy functioning ecosystems.

You can read more about the six principles of soil health here.

In our second Future Farming podcast, Janet Hughes talks to Nic Renison.

Nic farms with her husband Paul on the edge of the North Pennines in Cumbria, where they produce cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens. They are part of a growing movement towards regenerative farming that has been picking up pace since 2014. 

Nic is on the steering group for the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) and is part of the Carbon Calling @carboncallfarm regenerative conference organising team.

In this podcast, Nic shares her approach to farming and her views on the future of the industry and the English countryside. Janet and Nic also discuss farm life in the North Pennines and the Renisons’ homemade version of the eggmobile!

You can follow Nic on Instagram @renisons_farm and Twitter @NRenison

In our first ever Future Farming podcast, Janet Hughes talks to Neil Heseltine. 

Neil is a farmer and the Chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. He works with The Pasture-Fed Livestock Association (PFLA), The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) and Land Workers Alliance. 

Janet and Neil discuss how working with nature can not only safeguard it but can be more profitable. 

Neil was born and grew up on Hill Top Farm at Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. He runs the farm with his partner Leigh Weston. 

You can follow them on Instagram and Twitter @hilltopfarmgirl