Ear to the Ground / Clust i'r Ddaear

Hosted by Farming Connect

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100

Latest episode

Mar 2026

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About the show

Ear to the Ground' is a brand-new podcast, the first of its kind to be available in both Welsh and English, that will share technical information, advice, support and inspiration to the farming community in Wales. Mae "Clust i'r Ddaear" yn bodlediad newydd sbon, y cyntaf o'i math i fod ar gael yn Gymraeg a Saesneg, fydd yn rhannu gwybodaeth dechnegol, cyngor, cefnogaeth ac ysbrydoliaeth i'r gymuned amaeth yng Nghymru.

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60 recent

March 21, 202632 min

#129- Farming smarter, not harder: Wallog's Water-Saving Success Story

In this episode of Ear to the Ground, host Ifan Jones Evans visits Wallog, a coastal sheep farm perched on the rugged Cardigan coastline near Clarach, Ceredigion. Wallog has long faced the challenge of ensuring a reliable drinking-water supply for its flock of outdoor-lambing ewes, relying on an ageing system of seasonal springs, wells and reservoir tanks in one of Wales' lowest rainfall areas. With pumps working hard to move water uphill through difficult terrain—and an old pipe network vulnerable to leaks—the farm has historically struggled with high electricity use, water loss and inefficiency. But change is underway. Guest David Evershed shares how he is embracing LoRaWAN technology to monitor water flow across the farm in real time, detect leaks early and ultimately automate water pumping. The vision? A smart, energy-efficient system powered by newly installed photovoltaic (PV) panels—reducing waste, cutting costs and securing the farm's water future. Join us for an insightful conversation exploring how digital innovation and renewable energy are transforming traditional farming challenges at Wallog. Ffermio'n ddoethach, nid yn galetach: Llwyddiant Wallog i Arbed Dŵr Yn y bennod hon o Glust i'r Ddaear, mae'r cyflwynydd Ifan Jones Evans yn ymweld â Wallog, fferm ddefaid arfordirol sydd wedi'i lleoli ar arfordir garw Aberteifi, ger Clarach, Ceredigion. Mae Wallog wedi wynebu'r her o sicrhau cyflenwad dŵr yfed dibynadwy ar gyfer ei ddiadell o famogiaid sy'n wyna yn yr awyr agored ers tro byd. A hynny, gan ddibynnu ar system sy'n heneiddio o ffynhonnau tymhorol a thanciau cronfeydd dŵr yn un o'r ardaloedd sydd â'r lefelau isaf o law yng Nghymru. Gyda phympiau'n gweithio'n galed i symud dŵr i fyny drwy dir anodd a hen rwydwaith pibellau sy'n agored i ollyngiadau, mae'r fferm wedi cael trafferth yn hanesyddol gyda defnydd uchel o drydan, colli dŵr ac aneffeithlonrwydd. Ond mae newid ar y gweill. Mae'r gwestai David Evershed yn rhannu sut mae'n croesawu technoleg LoRaWAN i fonitro llif dŵr ar draws y fferm mewn amser real, canfod gollyngiadau'n gynnar ac yn y pen draw awtomeiddio'r pwmp dŵr. Y weledigaeth? System glyfar, effeithlon o ran ynni, wedi'i phweru gan baneli ffotofoltaidd (PV) sydd newydd eu gosod gan leihau gwastraff, lleihau costau a sicrhau dyfodol cyflenwad dŵr y fferm. Ymunwch â ni am sgwrs ddeallus sy'n edrych ar sut mae arloesedd digidol ac ynni adnewyddadwy yn trawsnewid heriau ffermio traddodiadol yn Wallog.

February 28, 202644 min

#128- Agroforestry advantage - shelter soil and livestock

Listen to find out why more and more farmers are planting trees for the sake of their stock, their soil, and their bottom line. Agroforestry is one of the most exciting and fast‑growing areas of sustainable farming, and in this episode, we're breaking it down to what really matters, cutting through the jargon and get right to the practical stuff: how to plan design agroforestry systems that work for your farm without overcomplicating it how shelterbelts and tree strips genuinely improve livestock wellbeing and performance, and what it really takes to get trees in the ground on a working farm. And we've got a seriously strong line‑up: Clive Thomas – Soil Association The planner shaping agroforestry systems that fit and strengthen commercial farm businesses. Dr Lindsay Whistance – Organic Research Centre Animal behaviour expert revealing why your stock absolutely have opinions on shade and shelter. Rhodri Lloyd Williams, Moelgolemen Farm, Tal y Bont Upland sheep and beef farmer who's already putting agroforestry into action and seeing the results. If you're curious about agroforestry or wondering how trees can genuinely make your farming easier, more resilient and more profitable, this is the episode to start with. Listen now and discover The Agroforestry Advantage. Gwrandewch i ddarganfod pam mae mwy a mwy o ffermwyr yn plannu coed er lles eu stoc, eu pridd, a'u llinell waelod. Mae amaethgoedwigaeth yn un o'r meysydd mwyaf cyffrous ac sy'n tyfu gyflymaf ym maes ffermio cynaliadwy, ac yn y benod hon rydym yn torri'r pwnc i lawr i'r hyn sy'n bwysicaf, mynd heibio'r jargon ac yn mynd yn syth at ymarferoldeb: sut i gynllunio a dylunio systemau amaethgoedwigaeth sy'n gweithio i'ch fferm heb ei gymhlethu sut mae lleiniau cysgod a rhigolau coed yn gwella lles a pherfformiad da byw yn wirioneddol, a beth sydd wir ei angen i gael coed i'r ddaear ar fferm weithredol. Ac mae gennym ni restr wirioneddol gref o westeion: Clive Thomas – Cymdeithas Pridd Y Cynllunydd sy'n siapio systemau amaethgoedwigaeth sy'n briodol i fusnesau fferm masnachol ac yn eu cryfhau. Dr Lindsay Whistance – Canolfan Ymchwil Organig Arbenigwraig ymddygiad anifeiliaid sy'n datgelu pam bod eich stoc yn bendant gyda barn am gysgod a lloches. Rhodri Lloyd Williams – Fferm Moelgolemen, Tal y Bont Ffermwr defaid a buches mynydd sydd eisoes yn rhoi amaethgoedwigaeth ar waith ac yn gweld y canlyniadau. Os ydych chi'n chwilfrydig am amaethgoedwigaeth neu'n meddwl sut y gall coed wneud eich ffermio'n haws, yn fwy gwydn ac yn fwy proffidiol, dyma'r bennod i ddechrau gyda hi. Gwrandewch nawr a darganfod mantais Amaethgoedwigaeth.

December 14, 202540 min

#125- Farming Connect Our Farms: Woodland, biodiversity, and carbon insights

Join the specialists from the Farming Connect team as they pull back the curtain on the crucial baseline studies conducted within the Our Farms Network. In this episode, we dive into the data collection process and the practical application of assessments focused on woodland management, biodiversity enhancement, and on-farm carbon footprints. The team discusses how these detailed studies identify opportunities for improving business efficiency and environmental stewardship. Discover: The purpose and findings of the woodland, biodiversity and carbon baseline studies. - Real-world examples of how these findings have shaped new on-farm trials. - Actionable advice for farmers on how to utilise this information for future planning. - The first practical steps other farmers can take to prepare for and implement similar assessments on their own farms. This is essential listening for any farmer looking to benchmark key aspects of their system and enhance the environmental value of their farm business. #125 - Ein Ffermydd Cyswllt Ffermio: Golwg fanylach ar goetiroedd, bioamrywiaeth, a charbon Ymunwch â'r arbenigwyr o dîm Cyswllt Ffermio wrth iddynt agor y llen ar yr astudiaethau llinell sylfaen hanfodol a gynhaliwyd o fewn Rhwydwaith Ein Ffermydd. Yn y bennod hon, rydym yn edrych yn fanwl ar y broses o gasglu data a chamau ymarferol asesiadau sy'n canolbwyntio ar reoli coetiroedd, gwella bioamrywiaeth, ac ôl troed carbon ar y fferm. Mae'r tîm yn trafod sut mae'r astudiaethau manwl hyn yn nodi cyfleoedd i wella effeithlonrwydd busnes a stiwardiaeth amgylcheddol. Darganfyddwch: Diben a chanfyddiadau astudiaethau llinell sylfaen coetiroedd, bioamrywiaeth a charbon. - Enghreifftiau o sut mae'r canfyddiadau hyn wedi llunio arbrofion newydd ar y fferm. - Cyngor ymarferol i ffermwyr ar sut i ddefnyddio'r wybodaeth hon i gynllunio ar gyfer y dyfodol. - Y camau ymarferol cyntaf y gall ffermwyr eraill eu cymryd i baratoi ar gyfer asesiadau tebyg ar eu ffermydd eu hunain ac i'w rhoi ar waith. Mae'n bwysig i unrhyw ffermwr sy'n edrych i feincnodi agweddau allweddol ar eu system a gwella gwerth amgylcheddol eu busnes fferm wrando ar y podlediad.

October 10, 202542 min

#122- Building better pastures and productivity by focusing on soil health

Welcome to the third episode in our special series on profitable and productive farming in Wales! Host Ifan Jones Evans is joined by leading independent plant and soil health educator, Joel Williams, to dive into the most vital resource on your farm: your soil. This episode is essential listening for livestock farmers looking to build better pastures and boost overall productivity by focusing on the fundamentals of soil health. Joel Williams brings his wealth of practical experience from Australia, the UK, and Canada, integrating soil and plant analyses to help farmers optimize production and manage soil biology. Tune in to unlock the potential beneath your feet! Key points: Improving soil health: A fundamental overview of how soil works and strategies for building resilient systems. Soil testing: The basics of taking a proper soil test and how to correctly interpret the results. The compaction challenge: Practical advice for overcoming compaction issues specifically on livestock farms. Cutting the costs: How transitioning to healthy soils can significantly reduce your nitrogen fertiliser bill. Sward management: Strategies for successfully including clover into the sward and leveraging multi-species swards alongside rotational grazing techniques. This series has been formulated in partnership with Precision Grazing Ltd. They are experts in livestock enterprises and work with numerous Farming Connect registered businesses to create resilience and sustained profit.

August 14, 202519 min

#121 - Powering your Future- with Technology and Renewable Energy- Part 2

Welcome to "Sustainable Dairy Farming," where we explore the evolving world of energy and technology in dairy farming. This two-part episode was recorded at the recent Farming Connect Roadshow in Pant Farm, Llanddewi, Ceredigion. Cennydd talks to Eirinn Rusbridge from NFU Energy to explore how Welsh farms are turning towards renewable energy to power their work, and also reduce emissions. Discover practical strategies and insights into real returns on investment that can help you cultivate a more sustainable and profitable future for your dairy operation.

July 24, 202522 min

#120 - Powering your Future- with Technology and Renewable Energy- Part 1

Welcome to "Sustainable Dairy Farming," where we explore the evolving world of energy and technology in dairy farming. This two-part episode was recorded at the recent Farming Connect Roadshow in Pant Farm, Llanddewi, Ceredigion. Host Cennydd Jones takes the time following the event to chat with Conor Hogan of Teagasc Moorepark, whose research focuses on labour productivity, efficiency, and innovative labour-saving technologies for dairy farms. Discover practical strategies and insights into real returns on investment that can help you cultivate a more sustainable and profitable future for your dairy operation.

April 6, 2025Episode 11523 min

#115 - Tyfu'n Fyd-eang: Sut Daeth Meithrinfeydd Seiont yn Bwerdy Allforio Garddwriaethol yng Nghymru

Ydych chi erioed wedi meddwl sut y daeth meithrinfa yng Nghymru yn allforiwr mawr o blanhigion gardd ar draws y DU ac Ewrop? Ymunwch â'r cyflwynydd gwadd Neville Stein wrth iddo ymweld â Meithrinfeydd Seiont yng Nghaernarfon. Dysgwch y cyfrinachau y tu ôl i'w llwyddiant, o'u sefydlu ym 1978 i'w cynhyrchiad blynyddol trawiadol o dros filiwn o blygiau a leinin, gan arbenigo mewn mathau newydd cyffrous. Darganfyddwch sut maen nhw'n partneru â bridwyr rhyngwladol ac yn rheoli eu gwasanaeth dosbarthu wythnosol. Hefyd, clywch am eu cynlluniau i ehangu i farchnad Iwerddon. Mae'r bennod hon yn cynnig mewnwelediadau gwerthfawr i unrhyw un sydd â diddordeb mewn garddwriaeth, twf busnes, a chymhlethdodau masnach ryngwladol yn y diwydiant planhigion.

April 6, 2025Episode 11523 min

#115 - Growing Globally: How Seiont Nurseries Became a Horticultural Export Powerhouse in Wales

Ever wondered how a nursery in Wales became a major exporter of garden plants across the UK and Europe? Join guest presenter Neville Stein as he visits Seiont Nurseries in Caernarfon. Learn the secrets behind their success, from their establishment in 1978 to their impressive annual production of over a million plugs and liners, specializing in exciting new varieties. Discover how they partner with international breeders and manage their weekly delivery service. Plus, hear about their plans to expand into the Irish market. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in horticulture, business growth, and the intricacies of international trade in the plant industry.

March 23, 2025Episode 11423 min

#114 - Ffocws ar eneteg, iechyd yr anifail a defnyddio EID yn y ddiadell Gymraeg Cyfnod newydd yn Ystâd Rhug

Cyfle unigryw i ymweld ag Ystâd Rhug ac i ddysgu mwy am y newid mawr yn y ddiadell ddefaid yn sgil y cyngor a chymorth a gafwyd drwy'r Rhaglen Geneteg Defaid Cymru. Byddwn yn clywed yn uniongyrchol am y rhan arwyddocaol technoleg, gan ddarparu data i helpu i reoli penderfyniadau'n ymwneud â bridio wrth ganiatáu i'r fferm ŵyna'n bennaf yn yr awyr agored, gan gadw diadell gaeedig ac felly bridio defaid cyfnewid ei hun.

March 23, 2025Episode 11423 min

#114 - Focus on genetics, animal health and EID in the Welsh flock New era at Rhug Estate

A unique opportunity to visit the Rhug Estate and learn more about the major change in its large-scale sheep flock as a result of advice and support received through the Welsh Sheep Genetic Programme. We will hear first hand the significant role technology is playing, providing data to help manage breeding decisions while allowing the farm to primarily lamb outdoors, keep a closed flock and breed its own replacements.