Grow the future

For today’s Grow the Future podcast, we’re joined by Natalie Wood, Product Manager for YaraVita and Biologicals to discuss the growing role of foliar nutrition in modern crop production.

The episode begins with an overview of the season, covering drilling progress, weather conditions across the country, and harvest results to date. Natalie explains when foliar nutrition should be introduced into crop programmes and why it is becoming increasingly important in helping crops overcome environmental and nutritional challenges. She shares practical examples from the field, including the greening effect observed when farmers apply YaraVita Crop...

For this special episode of Grow the Future, we explore Yara’s Climate Choice Fertilisers with Mark Tucker, Senior Manager for Partnerships and Food Value Chain, and Dale Turner, Head of Marketing, Agronomy and Value Chain.

The discussion covers the development of Climate Choice Fertilisers, including Yara’s new Sluiskil plant in the Netherlands and its carbon capture and storage technology. Mark and Dale explain how these fertilisers deliver the same trusted performance farmers expect, while offering a low carbon footprint.

The episode the availability of Climate Choice fertilisers across key Yara...

This week on the Grow the Future podcast, we explore YaraPlus, Yara’s innovative digital platform with Commercial Solutions Manager Darren Glegg. Darren shares an overview of the app’s development so far, including feedback from farmers who are already using it and seeing the benefits.

The conversation highlights how YaraPlus is designed not only for arable farmers but also for grassland businesses, offering practical tools to support better decision-making and improve efficiency. Darren discusses features that are available right now, including the Photo Analysis tool, and explains how farmers can use the platform to maximise productivity.

For this week's episode of the Grow the Future Podcast, we're joined by Area Manager James Willis to discuss the key considerations for establishing a successful oilseed rape crop this autumn.

With many parts of the UK continuing to experience dry conditions, James shares his insights on the challenges growers face and the practical steps they can take to maximise establishment. The discussion covers the importance of creating the right conditions at drilling, the role of starter fertilisers, and why applying nitrogen at drilling can be crucial for driving rapid early growth and helping crops establish strongly.<...

For this special episode, we’re joined by Kim Render, Supply Chain Operations Manager for Yara, for an insightful discussion on the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s supply chain landscape.

Kim begins by explaining how Yara balances meeting customer demand while maintaining compliance with a wide range of industry regulations. She explores the legal requirements surrounding Yara’s packaging operations and discusses the role of the company’s terminal network, including both coastal import facilities and inland storage locations.

The conversation also covers Yara’s four production plants, recent investments made across the busines...

For the next episode of the Grow the Future Podcast, we’re diving into the topic of soil carbon with Mark Tucker, Yara’s Senior Manager for Partnerships and the Value Food Chain.

The conversation begins by exploring a common question facing modern agriculture: as farmers work to reverse historical practices that have depleted soil organic matter and carbon levels, are nitrogen fertilisers being unfairly blamed for declining soil health? Mark addresses this perception head-on, explaining the role of fertilisers within the wider soil management picture and providing a clear overview of what soil health and soil qual...

As a manufacturer of both solid and liquid plant nutrition, Yara is dedicated to advancing precision farming. In this podcast episode, Roger Bacon, Yara’s Farm Account Manager for Lincolnshire, dives into the key advantages of liquid fertilisers with Ken Rundle. He discusses their reliability during dry springs, ease of application, reduced labor demands, and improved accuracy.

Roger also shares storage recommendations and explains how Yara supports farmers transitioning to liquid systems. He highlights our comprehensive range of NPKs, Straight Nitrogen, and Nitrogen Sulphur products, alongside precision tools like the N-Sensor for real-time crop monitoring and the ne...

As grass growth accelerates across the UK and Ireland, livestock farmers face the challenge of maintaining forage quality while maximising productivity from grazing and silage systems.

In this episode of Grow the Future, host Ken Rundle is joined by Yara's Country Grassland Specialist, Philip Cosgrave, to discuss the key grassland management decisions facing farmers at mid-season. They explore how to maintain grass quality during periods of rapid growth, the importance of managing grazing covers, and why timely nutrient applications are critical for both grazing and silage performance.

Philip also highlights the significant nutrient offtakes associated...

In this episode, we are joined by James Willis, Area Manager based in Norfolk, to discuss strategic nutrition planning for upcoming crop rotations. The conversation opens with an analysis of current geopolitical challenges and their macroeconomic impact on agriculture, before transitioning into a technical discussion on the critical relationship between sulphur and nitrogen in driving photosynthesis and maximizing nutrient use efficiency. 

James emphasizes the financial necessity of mastering agronomic fundamentals, highlighting how sub-optimal soil pH can incur significant costs—and how regular soil sampling and leaf testing can mitigate these risks. Additionally, the episode explores recent grower fee...

 In this episode of Grow the Future, we focus on a critical priority for livestock and dairy producers across the UK and Ireland: maximizing sward recovery and pasture productivity. Joining us to share his expertise is Philip Cosgrave, a specialist Grassland Agronomist with Yara UK and Ireland, who provides a comprehensive overview of the spring 2026 season from a grassland perspective and addresses the strategic decision between spring and autumn reseeding.

This discussion highlights targeted nutritional interventions to accelerate sward recovery, specifically reviewing the role of YaraVita Croplift Pro—a highly effective foliar fertiliser designed for co-application with her...

 In this episode of Grow the Future, Crop Nutrition Business Manager Nigel Mills joins the conversation to provide a comprehensive look at the current state of Irish grassland farming. The discussion opens with an overview of recent weather patterns across Ireland and their impact on the nutritional status of fields and paddocks, identifying the specific missing nutrients that often hinder optimal growth.

Nigel highlights the strategic benefits of using YaraMila Sulphur Cut, emphasizing its unique formulation where every single granule contains a consistent balance of essential elements for uniform spreading. Furthermore, the episode addresses supply chain concerns, r...

Welcome to the latest episode of the Grow the Future podcast, where we tackle the complexities of nutrient management in today’s volatile market. We are joined by Mark Tucker, Senior Manager of Partnership & Food Value Chain, to discuss how UK arable farmers can navigate uncertainty while maintaining high productivity. The conversation explores the current industry sentiment and emphasizes the vital link between nutrient strategy and yield potential. 

Mark highlights the practical impact of tissue analysis and foliar nutrients on boosting your ROI, while showcasing digital tools which are accessible via the YaraPlus app—can strea...

Spring grazing is underway, but a late start to the season and high winter rainfall have created new challenges for grassland farmers across the UK and Ireland.

In this episode of Yara’s Grow the Future podcast, Ken Rundle is joined by grassland specialist Philip Cosgrave to discuss how farmers can adapt their nutrient strategy to drive grass growth this spring.

They explore how rainfall and soil conditions may have reduced available nitrogen and sulphur, why phosphate and potash shouldn’t be overlooked, and how nutrient planning can support stronger grass growth heading into April and...

Welcome to the next episode of Grow the Future. Today, we explore the evolving landscape of crop nutrition and biologicals with a focus on maximizing plant potential through targeted biostimulant programs.

Joining us to share her expertise is Natalie Wood, Yara’s Agronomist and Product Manager for YaraVita and Biologicals for the UK and Ireland. Our discussion centers on the YaraAmplix range, with a deep dive into Flostrel—a high-performance biostimulant engineered to optimize reproductive development in key crops, including Oilseed Rape.

Natalie provides a technical overview of the product’s nutrient profile and application timing...

Welcome back to Grow the Future. In today's episode, we’re heading to Ireland to catch up with Area Manager John Hegerty. With the Irish growing season in full swing, we’re digging into the essentials of foliar feeding for potatoes and maize. 

John shares his expert take on the current weather, why proactive nutrient planning is a must right now, and how products like YaraVita CropBoost and Magphos K can make a real difference. We’ll also cover the best timing for maize applications and how digital tools like YaraPlus can simplify your season. 

In this special episode of the Grow the Future podcast, we are joined by Mark Tucker, Yara’s Partnership & Food Value Chain lead for Europe, and Dr. Becky Howard to discuss the ANSWERS project. Mark opens the conversation by explaining Yara’s involvement in the initiative and the pressing need to address current challenges and nutritional knowledge gaps within pea and bean production. With funding from DEFRA and significant interest across the UK and Europe, the discussion highlights how integrating science and field trials can alleviate nutritional stress to achieve wider environmental rewards in sustainable protein production.

Mark...

In the latest episode of Grow the Future, we’re tackling the fallout from a historically wet season. Joining us is Roger Bacon, Yara’s Crop Nutrition Manager for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, to break down the essentials of spring nutrition. We explore the impact of recent rainfall on soil health and why prioritizing root development is the only way to save waterlogged, anaerobic crops. Plus, Roger shares his expert product recommendations to help you optimize your nutrition strategy as the season kicks into gear. 

In the third episode of the Grow the Future podcast, Agronomist and Product Manager for Biologicals and YaraVita Natalie Wood takes a deep dive into foliar nutrition. She discusses how current establishment conditions—particularly the recent wet weather—have affected crop performance.

Natalie also outlines Yara’s foliar nutrition recommendations for cereals and oilseed rape, explains the compatibility of different foliar products, and highlights the Yara Tankmix service available through the YaraPlus app. The episode also touches on current soil temperature trends and offers practical advice for farmers moving into the season.

For more information on Yar...

Welcome to our second podcast episode of 2026. Today, we’re diving into grazing management with Yara’s Grassland Agronomist, Philip Cosgrave. Philip breaks down the recent variations in grass growth across farms and offers strategic advice for dairy farmers looking to balance cost control with productivity. We also cover specific application strategies using YaraBela NutriBooster and YaraMila ExtraGrass, alongside expert tips on optimizing your nitrogen timing for the season ahead.

Welcome to the first grow the future podcast series of 2026, where we introduce our new exciting platform YaraPlus which is available from the 12th January. Commercial Solutions Manager Darren Glegg gives a full overview of the platform including the features, tools and services available and the reasoning into why Yara has invested in the platform. Darren also gives examples on the additional benefits of YaraPlus for Farmers and Agronomists, the accessibility of VRA Maps and what sets YaraPlus apart from other digital platforms within the market. For more information on YaraPlus, visit our websites today. 

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Join us for our final episode of 2025 as we welcome back Yara's Grassland Specialist, Philip Cosgrave. Philip provides a comprehensive grassland overview, analyzing the major impact of weather across the UK and Ireland this year. The discussion covers the increase in fertiliser use observed in high-yielding areas, the importance of robust nutrient management plans, and the fundamental role of soil analysis. We also get an exclusive update on the three-year trial data concerning the application of foliar nitrogen and where farmers can find this information on the Yara website. Philip concludes with his expert recommendations for optimising...

In this episode of the Grow the Future podcast, we’re shining a spotlight on the Irish market and Yara’s exciting new 20’s fertiliser!

Join Area Manager Jan Jesema as he reveals why this innovative, sulphur-rich compound fertiliser is making waves. Discover how it’s transforming grassland and grazing systems across Northern Ireland, the key differences in analysis levels, and why getting your spreader settings right is essential.

Plus, Jan shares practical advice on planning phosphate applications—helping you stay ahead and maximise your farm’s potential.

Join us in this new episode of the grow the future podcast as we delve into the future of crop nutrition with Area Manager James Willis and Crop Nutrition Farm Account Manager Roger Bacon. We explore the benefits of adopting a hybrid strategy, blending liquid and solid applications. James kicks off the discussion with a fascinating history of fertilisers, leading into Roger's insights on liquid fertilisers. They explain how unpredictable weather and demand for precise field application are making the hybrid method essential. Tune in for their expert advice on planning a successful transition to this method for the...

The next installment of Grow the Future will feature Sourcing Manager Helen Manship, who will provide insight into the logistics of fertiliser distribution. The discussion will begin by outlining Helen's core responsibilities at Yara, which encompass the transport management of solid and liquid fertilisers alongside environmental and animal nutrition offerings. Key areas of focus will include the significance of sustainability in light of new government regulations, contemporary operational hurdles like the deficit of HGV drivers, seasonal preparation strategies, and the benefits of early ordering for farmers to support next year's initial application. The conversation will also highlight the importance...

Welcome back to Grow the Future. This week for our 20th episode, we're joined by Partnership & Value Chain Manager Mark Tucker to talk all things Crop Nutrition Planning. Our conversation kicks off with a look back at the 2025 Harvest and a candid assessment of current drilling conditions. Mark then guides us through the vital role of foliar applications and crop analysis, providing his top recommendations for YaraVita products to use this season. Tune in to learn how to expertly prioritize your low-biomass crops for maximum yield recovery.

Join us for the nineteenth episode of the Grow the Future podcast, where we delve into the topic of Yara's Lower Carbon Fertilisers with Conor Quinlun, Area Manager. This comprehensive discussion will summarize the contrast between green and blue ammonia, detail the response from food manufacturers and retailers, and examine how agriculture is utilizing new technologies to reduce its carbon footprint and capitalize on future industry potential.

In the eighteenth episode of the Grow the Future podcast, we'll be discussing Autumn Foliar Nutrition with Natalie Wood, the YaraVita and Biologicals Manager. The conversation will begin with a summary of the current season and a review of plans with farmers, particularly those related to Oilseed Rape. We will then explore key recommendations, including the importance of soil analysis, and discuss specific product recommendations such as YaraVita MagPhos K, CropBoost, and Brassitrel Pro. The episode will conclude with essential advice on how investing in autumn nutrition can significantly impact overall crop yield.

The seventeenth episode of 2025 features a conversation between host Ken Rundle and Crop Nutrition Agronomist Philip Cosgrave. Their discussion centers on late-season grazing, kicking off with an overview of grass growth across the UK and Ireland and why farmers need to plan their forage budget for the winter. Philip also shares his expertise regarding nitrogen applications including specific deadlines, offers a look at the latest on clover, and explores the potential of maize crops. 

In this sixteenth episode of 2025, we welcome new contributor Joe Kidd who is the YaraVita Project Manager to discuss the new production plant. Joe's here to give us the inside scoop on the new YaraVita Production Plant, set to open next year. The conversation starts with why the company decided to move from its longtime Pocklington site to the new location in Howden. Joe also dives into the current project timelines, the challenges they're facing, and how they're navigating it all. 

Joe will also take us on a journey through his career at Yara, from h...

In this fifteenth episode of 2025, we welcome Mark Tucker, Partnership and Value Chain Manager, to discuss the critical importance of soil testing. The conversation will cover the initial steps for farmers in assessing their fields through soil sampling, an analysis of current phosphorus and potassium levels nationwide, and a look at the evolution of modern farming systems. Mark will also detail the comprehensive analytical services provided by Yara, including supplementary services such as leaf analysis and an overview for farmers to prioritize soil sampling.

In the fourteenth episode of 2025, Ken Rundle chats with Yara UK's Value Chain Partnership Account Manager Gareth Flockhart about sustainability in farming, driven by strategic partnerships. They dive into current projects focused on cutting food chain emissions, share the latest results from year one's data on the reduction of Carbon Footprint for Pepisco in the UK, and discuss what's next for farmers, including useful tools for data collection like soil sampling. Plus, current updates on blue nitrogen and why adapting to change will be crucial for the future.

In the thirteenth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara’s Area Manager based in Ireland John Hegarty regarding the foliar fertiliser product Croplift Pro. The discussion starts with an overview of foliar fertilisers, the nutrients within the product, recommended crops including the use on grassland and Yara’s future investments regarding the new global production plant for specialty crop nutrition products and biostimulants.

In the twelfth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara’s Grassland Specialist Philip Cosgrave regarding the current mid-season. The conversation starts with Philip giving an overview of grass growth and quality, advice on nutrition for grass over the next few months including Yara product recommendations, farmers reviewing current nutrient plans, the growth of clover compared to last year and recommendations for farmers regarding silage and paddocks. 

In the eleventh podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara’s YaraVita and Biologicals Product Manager Natalie Wood regarding planning to purchase fertiliser next year. Within this discussion Natalie gives an overview on some of the common mistakes when it comes to ordering fertiliser, how Sulphur is important for crop growth, product recommendations including YaraBela Axan and YaraMila Extragrass, additional options including liquid fertilisers, the importance of efficiency to get the most out of all the crops and recommendations for farmers when it comes to purchasing fertiliser for the new year.

In the tenth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara Crop Nutrition Business Manager for South West England Nigel Hester regarding  YaraVera Amidas. In this discussion Nigel gives an overview of the product, the changes regarding urea-based fertilisers in England for farmers, the importance of sulphur, soil analysis and other recommendations for the season. 

In the eighth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Crop Nutrition Agronomist Joe Blanche regarding Yara’s Crop Nutrition Hubs across the UK and Ireland. In this discussion Joe gives an overview about the current hubs, current challenges, topics which are covered at the hubs including, how farmers can attend, and the partners Yara are collaborating with at each hub. 

In the seventh podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Grassland Agronomist for Yara UK and Ireland Philip Cosgrave regarding Grass Rotations. In this discussion Philip gives an overview on the current grass growth rates, the importance within your plan for grass growth, how soil analysis can help farmers to know if any nutrients are low and recommendations for the season regarding managing grass. 

In the sixth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to the Director of Biostimulants for Yara Antonis Angeletakis regarding the YaraAmplix range. In this discussion Antonis gives an overview of Biostimulants including the history, the role of Biostimulants can provide to farmers, the yield potential and advantages by including Biostimulants within your crop programme. 

In the sixth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Head of Commercial Partnerships for Ireland Eva Ross. In this special podcast episode, the discussion starts with Eva giving an update on the current market, Government Legislations in Ireland, the Importance of Sulphur, Product Recommendations and Tools which are available to Farmers. 

In the fifth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Agronomy Operations Manager Natalie Wood about Yara’s free mobile application Atfarm. In this discussion Natalie goes into detail about Atfarm, some of the features such as the biomass maps, variable rate maps and using the N-Tester with the application, the latest developments relating to Atfarm including the collaboration with John Deere, Growth estimation feature and how Atfarm can increase nitrogen use efficiency.