BASIS Agronomy Matters
BASIS Agronomy Matters offers agronomic insights and updates from BASIS members, staff and trainers. Each episode is designed to keep agricultural professionals informed on practical agronomy topics and industry developments. Listeners who stay to the end can earn a BASIS CPD point. The podcast supports continuing professional development for those working in crop production and related fields.
Episodes
Precision Breeding
In this episode of Agronomy Matters, Thomas Vaughan, Environment Manager at BASIS, is joined by Tom Allen-Stevens, Oxfordshire farmer and founder of BOFIN, and Dr Dylan Phillips, geneticist and lecturer at Aberystwyth University.Together, they discuss precision breeding, a fast-developing area in UK farming. The conversation covers:What precision breeding is, and how it differs from traditional ge
Bees and Beyond
Welcome back to Agronomy Matters! In this latest episode, host Thomas Vaughan, Environment Manager at BASIS, ventures into the fascinating realm of insects , exploring why these tiny creatures play an outsized role in our ecosystems.Joining Thomas is Kirk Mason, a passionate entomologist, science communicator, and wildlife photographer whose work has been featured by BBC Wildlife Magazine and Spri
From Rock to Root
In this episode of Agronomy Matters, we take you deep underground to explore Boulby Mine, home to the world’s only polyhalite mining operation. Located in East Cleveland, this extraordinary site is the UK’s deepest mine and a key player in sustainable agriculture. Join us as we uncover the mining behind polyhalite, a unique multi-nutrient fertiliser, and hear from the workers here how the mining
Careers in Agronomy
In this episode of Agronomy Matters, host Thomas Vaughan, Environment Manager for BASIS, dives into the exciting world of agronomy and the rewarding career paths it offers.
Joining the discussion are Greig Baird, Head of Agronomy Teams Scotland, and Laura Buckingham, Area Business Manager for Anglia at Agrii. They share their journeys into agronomy, the essential skills for success, and how the ro
Winter Vegetables
While our regular host, Thomas Vaughan, is enjoying a well-earned break on the ski slopes, Jessica Deunert, Marketing & Communications Manager at BASIS, steps in to introduce this episode.
In this conversation:
Harry Henderson, BASIS Technical Manager, interviews Ian Holmes, Farm Technical Director at Strawson Limited, a third-generation family farming business specializing in cereal and veget
Enhanced Weathering & Woodland Carbon Code
Welcome to another episode of Agronomy Matters! Hosted by Thomas Vaughan, Commercial Manager for BASIS, this episode dives into two topics in sustainable agriculture and carbon management:
Enhanced Weathering: Featuring Jez Wardman, Chief Agronomist at UNDO. Jez shares insights into the innovative practice of spreading basalt rock dust on agricultural land to capture carbon and improve soil healt
Health & Safety in Agriculture
Agronomy Matters is back! After a summer break, we return with an essential episode on health and safety in agriculture.
Stephanie Berkeley from the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) reflects on this summer’s Farm Safety Week and how the Foundation is encouraging safer practices on farms.
Gillian Nicholls, Principal Epidemiologist with the HSE's PIPAH study, discusses the importance of the
Groundswell 2024: Direct Drills, Research, and More
In this month’s episode, we’re summarising Groundswell 2024. We’ll chat with folks from various stands including direct drill manufacturers, Rothamsted Research, the University of Cambridge, the Sustainable Food Trust, and more. Our goal is to give you a taste of the discussions and ideas from this year’s event, especially for those who couldn’t make it. Tune in and get a feel for what Groundswell
Paludiculture Explained
In this episode of Agronomy Matters, host Thomas Vaughan, the Environment Manager for BASIS, welcomes two guests from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust: Sarah Johnson and Mike Longden.
Sarah and Mike are members of the Peatlands Team. One of their many projects involves exploring paludiculture, also known as wetter farming. Through initiatives such as the wetter farming trial at Rindle Field, they wor
Sugar Beet Farming 2024
Welcome to this episode of Agronomy Matters!
Join us as we journey into the world of UK sugar beet production with Dr. Vicky Foster, Head of BBRO. Discover BBRO's strategies for addressing aphid challenges in the upcoming season and learn about the impacts of the wet winter on sugar beet farmers' decision-making. Gain insights into the expected pest landscape and how growers can navigate
Drones
In this episode of Agronomy Matters, listeners are invited
on an exploratory journey into the future of farming with two distinguished guests.
As the UK embraces the potential of drone technology across various sectors, including agriculture, our guests shed light on its burgeoning significance.
Rob Pearson, CEO of Autospray Systems, shares insights into the cutting-edge advancements in drone tec
Six Inches of Soil
Welcome to another episode of Agronomy Matters! In this edition, our host, Thomas Vaughan, Environment Manager for BASIS, takes listeners on a deep dive into the world of regenerative agriculture, shining a spotlight on the recently launched and crowd-funded film, "Six Inches of Soil." This insightful discussion features key figures from the film, including the producer, Claire Mackenzie
Hedgerow Management
In this episode of Agronomy Matters, Thomas Vaughan, Environment Manager for BASIS, delves into the world of sustainable hedgerow management with our guest, Megan Gimber, Key Habitats Officer for the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES).
The episode kicks off with an overview of the recent updates to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) announced by the UK government in January 2024. Th
British Potato Show
Join, Thomas Vaughan, our Environment Manager at BASIS, as we embark on an exclusive tour of the acclaimed British Potato Show in our latest episode. Let's dive deep into the heart of potato country, exploring the highs and lows of the 2023 potato crop while uncovering the challenges and opportunities shaping the current potato industry landscape.
🥔 Fiona's Insights on Fungicide Resistance
Healthy Soils
This month’s episode of Agronomy Matters is hosted by Thomas Vaughan, the recently appointed Environment Manager for BASIS. Thomas is joined by two experts who share their wealth of knowledge in soil health and environmental management.
The first guest, a previous podcast host, Jade Prince, a seasoned soil expert, now works at Farmacy, part of Hutchinson’s. Jade has been instrumental in worki
BASIS Special
This month we have a BASIS Special as we speak to three members of the BASIS team.
We are joined by Stephen Jacob, BASIS Chief Executive Officer, Andy Brooks, Head of Education and Membership Services and Teresa Meadows, Head of Environment, Audit and Public Affairs.
Together we will review the highlights of 2022, discuss some of the upcoming challenges for the industry and talk about how BASIS wi
Christmas Special
This month we are embracing the festivities with a Christmas themed episode.
Our first guest, Andy Richardson, joins us to talk about the only vegetable that we could possibly choose to discuss at this time of year, one that divides opinion at every single Christmas dinner table, the Brussel Sprout. Andy has been an agronomist for 30 years and is the Technical Director for the Brassica Growers Ass
Potato Cyst Nematode
This month we are talking all about Potato Cyst Nematode, an important pest in most areas of the country where potatoes are grown.
It is during the autumn and winter months that we look to soil sample fields and prepare machinery, so on this episode we meet with three experts to learn more about sampling, controls, machinery calibration and the nematicide stewardship programme.
Our first guest is
Principles of Sustainable Land Management
This month following the launch of our Principles of Sustainable Land Management course back in May we are catching up with four experts who have completed the course to find out why they did it, what they learnt and how they will manage land more sustainability in the future.
Our first guest is Linda Bratley, Managing Director at Rural Business Services Ltd. Linda and her team offer a wide range
Grain Storage
With harvest of cereals and oilseed rape now complete across the UK, this month we talk about crop storage.
Compared to selling grain at harvest, storing grain for sale later can attract a premium. This economic incentive can mean grain is stored for long periods prior to processing. During this time the grain may be at risk from pests, fungi or moisture.
In this podcast we are joined by two guest
Black Grass Control
This month we talk about black grass - one of the biggest challenges to profitable arable farming in the main cereal growing areas of the UK. With its high seed production, variable dormancy and herbicide resistance, black grass has become a major headache to many farmers.
We have been forced to adapt our way of working to manage the threat of black grass competition and in this episode of Agronom
Farm Safety Week at BASIS
Health and safety is stereotypically a bit boring. Like with legislation it’s one of those topics that just comes with a bit of a yawn and a sigh, but with continued and rising concern over the high level of accidents within the agricultural industry it’s important that we, at BASIS, do what we can to support our members safety.
This month’s episode has been released early to show our support for
Nitrogen Use Efficiency
This month’s episode of the Agronomy Matters Podcast focuses on Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE). Nitrogen use efficiency has become a bit of buzz word recently but can be regarded as something that is not easy to define so this podcast aims to help listeners improve their understanding of nitrogen use efficiency and explain how we can use it to help improve our nutrient management in the future.
Nit
ELMS
The removal of the Basic Payment Scheme and introduction of the new Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) is one of the most significant changes to UK agriculture in a generation. There are three new schemes being introduced over the new few years, starting with the Sustainable Farming Incentive, with applications opening to all farmers and land managers later in 2022.
During this episode o
Cultivations
With the return of LAMMA, the UK’s leading agricultural machinery, equipment and technology show, on the 4th and 5th May, we thought we would focus this month’s episode of the Agronomy Matters podcast on cultivations.
Net zero is a current hot topic and there is no doubt that reducing cultivations can be a factor in cutting carbon dioxide emissions and increasing sequestration in the soil but what
Regenerative Agriculture
For this month’s episode of the Agronomy Matters podcast, we are focussing on Regenerative Agriculture.
We were joined by Joe Stanley, the author of Farm to Fork, which was chosen by our members as the first book for the BASIS Book Club. Joe gave us a great insight into the content of his book, a glimpse behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a published author and provided us with a fantastic
Technology in Fruit Production
For this month’s episode of the Agronomy Matters podcast, we are focussing on how new technology and innovative growing practices are being utilised within fruit production to develop more sustainable, productive and efficient farming systems. We were also joined by Tanya Kesterton, BASIS’s Head of Digital Learning, who explained how we are using technology at BASIS to offer new and improved produ
Mental Health Awareness
On our first episode of 2022 we speak to four guests about mental health awareness in agriculture.
Firstly, we speak to Sheena Horner, a chilli farmer from Scotland. Sheena founded Run1000, a running event set up to increase awareness of rural mental health and raise money for mental health charities. Having raised over £51,500 for charities including RSABI, DPJ Foundation, Vetlife and YANA, Sheen
2021 Review
On our final episode of the year we have decided to do a 2021 in review episode, where we will be speaking to three guests about their experiences over the last 12 months, as well as what their predictions are for 2022.
Firstly we spoke to independent agronomist Patrick Stephenson to get his view on the challenges farmers and agronomists have had to face in 2021, as well as looking at what changes
Net Zero
This year we had the 26th annual summit of the United nations climate change conference; COP26. From the 31st October until the 12th November world leaders, government representatives, businesses and citizens will arrive in Scotland for twelve days of talks around how to tackle climate change.
To coincide with this important event in this month’s Agronomy Matters Podcast we discuss all things net
Kellogg’s Origins Project
This month’s episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast has been produced in collaboration with the Kellogg’s Origins Project. This is a really exciting initiative which is looking at how the food supply chain can help support more sustainable farming practices through unique research projects. Our first speakers on this episode, Duncan Rawson and David Fitzgerald, explained what Origins projec
Effective Phosphorus Management
In this month's episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast, our Business Development Executive, Jade Prince hones in on effective phosphorus management as an essential part of producing high quality profitable crops whilst also protecting the wider environment and as this year’s topic for the FACTS online assessment, phosphorus management is of particular interest to our FACTS Qualified Adviser
Water Quality
In a first for the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast, this episode has been produced in collaboration with Championing the Farmed Environment (CFE), a partnership which supports farmers to deliver environmental benefits within a productive farming business. This episode was therefore co-hosted by Greg Hopkinson from BASIS and Ellenor Litobarski from CFE. The key topic for this podcast was water quali
Organic Farming
In the latest episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast we are discussing all things organic, following the launch of the BASIS Foundation Award in Organic Farming qualification. The demand for organic produce from the UK consumer continues to grow, and our three guests on this episode provide unique insights into how the industry works, what the principles of organic farming are, and explain
Livestock in Arable Farming
In this month’s episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters podcast we are looking at a slightly different area of UK agriculture, livestock production. In particular we are focussing on how introducing livestock into an arable farming system can provide significant benefits, and also what potential risks and limitations need to be avoided. Our first guest is Liz Genever, independent consultant within t
Game Management
In this latest episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast, our Technical Manager, Greg Hopkinson hones in how to combine sustainable and profitable crop production with hosting a successful shoot on farms and estates with a focus on some of the unique challenges of combining these two parts of land management. Greg also announces that BASIS is now running a Certificate in Game Management qualif
Soil Management
In this month’s episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast we are talking all things soil following an update to one of our most popular BASIS courses, the Soil & Water Management Certificate. Our first guest on this episode is David Felce, Regional Technical Adviser at Agrii, who spoke about the challenges of managing the physical properties of our soil, for example through cultivations an
BASIS Awards
In this month's episode of the BASIS Agronomy Podcast Greg Hopkinson, Head of Business Development at BASIS, speaks to three recent winners of BASIS awards which are presented each year to outstanding candidates in a number of BASIS qualifications.
Our first guest is Beth Duchesne, Senior Consultant on Agriculture & the Environment at Bidwells. Beth was awarded the Barrie Orme Shield in 2020 a
Spring Varieties
In the first episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast in 2021 we are looking ahead to spring with a specific focus on seed and variety selection. Greg Hopkinson, Head of Business Development at BASIS, speaks to three guests about how to select the correct variety for a range of spring sown crops.
Our first guest was Sarah-Jane Osbourne from AHDB who explained how to get the most out of
Field vegetable production
In the final episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast for 2020 we are focusing on field vegetable production as we look at how your Christmas dinner vegetables go from field to fork. Greg Hopkinson, head of business development and marketing at BASIS, speaks to two guests about the challenges 2020 has brought, the demands of retailers and how Brexit might impact the field vegetable industry.
Careers in agronomy
The latest episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast is a special edition featuring our technical manager, Greg Hopkinson, who investigates how to build a successful career in agronomy. Whether you’re well established in the industry, or just starting out on the career ladder, our three guests provide a great insight into how to develop your career in the industry.
First up, we hear from Tom W
Technology in agriculture
In this month’s episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast our technical manager, Greg Hopkinson, speaks to four expert guests about technology in agriculture, with a particular focus on how it can benefit crop production while reducing our environmental impact.
First up, we have a double act of Rozzi Martin and Max Dafforn from Bayer Crop Science. Rozzi discusses a new rapid disease detection
Integrated pest management in fruit crops
In this month’s episode of the BASIS Agronomy Matters Podcast, our technical manager, Greg Hopkinson hones in on integrated pest management in commercial fruit production and speaks to two expert guests.
Firstly we hear from Alex Radu, Agrovista’s fruit team technical manager. Alex focuses on pest control in orchards and talks about new innovations including beneficial insect refuges and sex hormo
Cereal varieties focus
The combines have already started rolling, so thoughts are turning to the next cropping season. In this episode, BASIS technical manager, Greg Hopkinson speaks to three expert guests who give valuable insight into what farmers should be growing in 2020/2021.
First up, David Eudall, head of arable markets at AHDB, discusses prospects for key crop markets over the next 12 months and explains how the
Spring cereals - Micronutrition and ramularia control
In our flagship episode, BASIS CEO, Stephen Jacob, introduces two guest speakers who give a technical insight into two different areas of spring cereal production.
Chris Bond, from FMC, talks around micronutrition, the most prevalent deficiencies in the UK, and how to counteract these.
While Paul Fogg, from Frontier, tells us about ramularia control and gives insight into the best curr
Recommended
Miles From Ordinary Podcast
Off The Telly
Murder of a Famous Bastard
Learn UK English By Podcast
My IELTS Classroom Podcast
People Fixing the World
The History Hour
The Healing Childhood Trauma Podcast
Frank Off The Radio: The Frank Skinner Podcast
Newscast
Learning English from the News
It's a Superpower??
