Farming Focus

Hosted by Cornish Mutual

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115

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

The podcast for South West Farmers.

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60 recent

August 4, 202645 min

Finding opportunity in times of change

In this episode of Farming Focus™, host Peter Green is joined by Dr Louise Manning, author of the Oxford Farming Conference 2026 reportUK Farming: Grasping the Opportunities, and Devon farmer Andy Gray. Together they explore how South West farmers can build resilient, investable businesses by embracing change, asking difficult questions and focusing on opportunity rather than uncertainty. Practical ideas and fresh perspectives offer encouragement for farming's future. Are there topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d love to hear from? Get in touch by emailing us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk or by connecting with us on our socials @cornishmutual. Your feedback helps us shape the podcast to meet your needs. Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit Farmer Insurance Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset | Cornish Mutual For our podcast disclaimer: Farming Focus - The Podcast for South West Farmers | Cornish Mutual If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk

July 21, 202627 min

Farm safety: When rushing changes everything

To mark Farm Safety Week 2026, we revisit one of the earliest episodes of Farming Focus™ and an important conversation remaining as relevant today as when it was first recorded. Cornish Mutual's Paul Mahon and Nick Lay are joined by Devon dairy farmer Fred Collins, who shares how a life-changing accident transformed his attitude to safety on the farm. Through Fred's honest account and practical advice from Paul and Nick, the episode explores why familiar tasks can become the greatest risks, how rushing often leads to poor decisions and why taking time to think before starting a job can help protect both people and businesses. The statistics discussed in the episode are from the early 2020s, but the latest HSE figures continue to tell a very similar story. Are there topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d love to hear from? Get in touch by emailing us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk or by connecting with us on our socials @cornishmutual. Your feedback helps us shape the podcast to meet your needs. Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit Farmer Insurance Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset | Cornish Mutual For our podcast disclaimer: Farming Focus - The Podcast for South West Farmers | Cornish Mutual If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk

July 14, 202631 min

Why livestock beneath the soil matters

The hidden livestock beneath your feet can be some of the hardest-working members of your farm team. Revisiting an earlier Farming Focus™ episode, farmer and entomologist Sally-Ann Spence joins plant and soil health educator Joel Williams to discuss why healthy soils are central to productive farming. From dung beetles and earthworms to fungi and other micro-organisms, they explain how the life below ground supports nutrient cycling, improves water infiltration and helps produce healthier crops and livestock. Packed with practical ideas, this episode encourages farmers to look beneath the surface and discover how investing in soil biology can strengthen resilience across the whole farm. Are there topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d love to hear from? Get in touch by emailing us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk or by connecting with us on our socials @cornishmutual. Your feedback helps us shape the podcast to meet your needs. Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit Farmer Insurance Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset | Cornish Mutual For our podcast disclaimer: Farming Focus - The Podcast for South West Farmers | Cornish Mutual If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk

July 7, 202636 min

Profit, Soil and Resilience; What are farmers learning?

What really works in regenerative farming? Recorded live at Groundswell, this week’s Farming Focus™ brings together Cornwall farmer Geoff Williams and Terrafarmer’s Will Marris and Jack Pierce to unpick the successes they’ve seen around soil health, profitability and resilience. From starting small to learning from others, hear practical ideas for building a stronger farming business, whatever your system. Are there topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d love to hear from? Get in touch by emailing us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk or by connecting with us on our socials @cornishmutual. Your feedback helps us shape the podcast to meet your needs. Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit Farmer Insurance Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset | Cornish Mutual For our podcast disclaimer: Farming Focus - The Podcast for South West Farmers | Cornish Mutual If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk

June 2, 202642 min

How collaboration is shaping the future of farming

Recorded live at the 2026 Devon County Show, this series finale of Farming Focus™ brings together elements of several episodes to explore why collaboration is becoming increasingly important for resilient and profitable farm businesses. Host Peter Green is joined by Devon farmer Chris Berry, facilitator Mel Bradley and Farm Carbon Toolkit’s Becky Willson to discuss how discussion groups, farmer clusters and shared learning are helping farmers tackle uncertainty together. From practical ideas such as machinery sharing to larger landscape projects, the conversation highlights the power of trust, curiosity and peer-to-peer support in shaping the future of South West farming. Are there topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d love to hear from? Get in touch by emailing us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk or by connecting with us on our socials @cornishmutual. Your feedback helps us shape the podcast to meet your needs. Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk For our podcast disclaimer click here. If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk

May 26, 20269 min

Practical biosecurity tips for moving livestock safely

Buying or selling livestock always carries risk, but good biosecurity can make a big difference. In this Farming Focus™ bonus episode, host Peter Green is rejoined by Synergy Farm Health vet Esme Moffat and Devon sheep farmer Pete Delbridge to discuss practical steps farmers can take when moving stock. From understanding health status and asking the right questions to quarantine and transport hygiene, they explain how manageable routines and informed decisions can help reduce disease risk and protect farm businesses. Are there topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d love to hear from? Get in touch by emailing us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk or by connecting with us on our socials @cornishmutual. Your feedback helps us shape the podcast to meet your needs. Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk For our podcast disclaimer click here. If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk

May 19, 202630 min

Managing disease risk on South West farms

Host Peter Green discusses the practical realities of farm biosecurity with Synergy Farm Health vet Esme Moffett and Devon sheep farmer Peter Delbridge. The episode highlights how building awareness and regularly reviewing risk can improve long-term animal health. Covering the major disease risks facing South West farms, from TB and sheep scab to bluetongue, they look at why simple habits still matter and suggest practical steps to protect livestock health. Are there topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d love to hear from? Get in touch by emailing us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk or by connecting with us on our socials @cornishmutual. Your feedback helps us shape the podcast to meet your needs. Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk For our podcast disclaimer click here. If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk

May 12, 202615 min

Understanding gifting in farm succession planning

Peter Green is re-joined by solicitor Tom Mottram from Porter Dodson and Devon farmer Jilly Greed in this bonus episode of Farming Focus™ to explore the role of gifting within farm succession planning. They discuss tax implications, affordability and the importance of professional advice, alongside Jilly’s first-hand experience of transferring assets. They advise being informed is a strength, highlighting how careful planning is essential to protect both your family and your farm business. Make sure you listen to episode 8 to get the most from this bonus episode. Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk For our podcast disclaimer click here.

May 5, 202635 min

How to secure your farm’s future through succession planning

This episode explores farm succession planning in light of recent changes to agricultural property relief. Host Peter Green is joined by solicitor Tom Mottram from Porter Dodson and fourth-generation Devon farmer Jilly Greed to discuss tax implications, family conversations and practical steps. From partnership agreements to professional advice, they share honest insight and experience, strongly recommending early planning helps secure a farm’s future. Are there topics you’d like us to cover or guests you’d love to hear from? Get in touch by emailing us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk or by connecting with us on our socials @cornishmutual. Your feedback helps us shape the podcast to meet your needs. Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk For our podcast disclaimer click here. If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at podcast@cornishmutual.co.uk

April 28, 202614 min

Farming with nature: Making the most of available schemes

In this bonus episode, Peter Green is joined once again by AHDB’s Dr Laura Underdown and farmer Jonathan Chapman to consider how environmental schemes can support farm businesses. They discuss matching schemes with farm goals, making the most of different land types and the importance of learning from other farmers. As Jonathan Chapman says, “you've got to make a profit”, with the focus on building resilience, improving the environment and making practical, business-minded decisions. Make sure you listen to episode 7 to get the most from this bonus episode. Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk For our podcast disclaimer click here.

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Farming Focus

About the show

Listen to episodes

Finding opportunity in times of change

Farm safety: When rushing changes everything

Why livestock beneath the soil matters

Profit, Soil and Resilience; What are farmers learning?

How collaboration is shaping the future of farming

Practical biosecurity tips for moving livestock safely

Managing disease risk on South West farms

Understanding gifting in farm succession planning

How to secure your farm’s future through succession planning

Farming with nature: Making the most of available schemes

Is this your show?

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