Tramlines
Tramlines is the only farming podcast that delivers advice to growers on how to improve environmental performance and maximise farm profitability. By tuning into Tramlines, you will benefit from listening to episodes that feature experts and experienced farmers, who share valuable information on best practices, new techniques, and the latest research in agriculture. Join the experts fortnightly as they address common problems and solutions and stay up-to-date with the latest developments. With CPD points up for grabs on certain episodes, topics range from digital innovations to soil health and the discussions are supported by Agrii's extensive trials programme and environmental...
The Smart Connected Farm: Turning Data into Decisions at Cereals 2026
You've got the data, so what?
Today we’re recording live from Cereals 2026 at Diddly Squat Farm. Agrii has just unveiled its vision for the Smart Connected Farm - a system designed to help farmers harness data, technology, and expert insight to improve decision-making and drive performance.
In this episode, Rachel Watling National Marketing Manager at Agrii takes you on a tour of the concept, exploring how people, research, seed, nutrition, and digital tools all connect to create a more profitable and resilient farming business.
Stations:
Agronomy - Kathryn StyanR&D - Ru...Oilseed Rape: Is It Back on the Agenda for UK Growers?
Oilseed rape is showing signs of a comeback, with planted area rising significantly last autumn and renewed confidence building across the industry. But with ongoing challenges and changing conditions, is it really back as a profitable option for UK farms?
In this episode, we’re joined by Agrii’s oilseed rape specialists Ian Davey and Will Sanderson.
to explore the latest insights on varieties, establishment, and risk management - you decide whether OSR has a place in your rotation this autumn.
Confidence is returning: improved establishment, reduced pest pressure, and stronger prices are...Growing Better Berries: Integrated Pest Management in Action
In this episode of Tramlines, we head to Emery Soft Fruits Ltd in Hampshire to explore how growers are producing high-quality strawberries and raspberries in an increasingly challenging environment. As reliance on synthetic chemistry declines, integrated pest management (IPM) is taking centre stage. Joined by expert Matt Greep, Horticultural Agronomist at Agrii and Simon Beasley UK Sales Manager, at Bioline, we uncover how biological controls, pollinators and proactive strategies are helping growers stay ahead of pests, improve sustainability, and deliver consistent, premium fruit to UK consumers.
IPM is now central to modern soft fruit productionConsistent quality and flavour...Making Farm Machinery Pay: How Data, Connectivity and Smarter Investment Are Shaping Modern Farming
From rising machinery costs to variable rate technology and connected farm platforms, this episode of Tramlines explores how growers can improve machinery performance, reduce waste, and make more informed investment decisions.
In this episode of Tramlines, host Tony Smith is joined by farm business consultant Paul Pickford, Jonny Kerley from Origin Digital, and Ben Foster from RHIZA to discuss one of the biggest financial pressures facing UK farming businesses: machinery investment.
With farms in England spending £2.3 billion on machinery in 2023/24, according to DEFRA, the discussion focuses on how growers can improve returns from machinery through b...
Climate Resilience: Planning for drought, flooding and everything between
Farming conditions in the UK are becoming more variable. While there may be opportunities from improved growing conditions in some seasons, these are increasingly offset by extremes such as drought, flooding and unpredictable weather patterns.
In this Tramlines podcast episode, we explore what resilience means in practice and how farm businesses can adapt. The discussion brings together climate science and practical agronomy to help inform decision-making on farm.
Leading the discussion is Dr Mike Rivington of the James Hutton Institute and Andrew Richards, Senior Agronomist at Agrii.
Podcast Summary:
Subsidy Shake-Up - Making Sense of SFI, SFS and Scottish Rules
Navigating the complexity of environmental schemes across the UK demands careful consideration to identify the most suitable options for each individual farm. To guide us through these challenges, we’re joined by Agrii’s Amy Watkins, Sustainability and Environmental Services Manager, Liam Wink, Grass and Forage Specialist and Jenny Douglas, an independent advisor on Scottish subsidies.
Podcast Summary:
England, Scotland and Wales are all moving away from BPS at different speeds, making environmental schemes increasingly vital for farm income.Scotland maintains full BPS for now but with tighter compliance rules, particularly around EFAs, margins and seed mix...Spring Decisions: Timing, Nutrition, Results
Today we’re tackling spring crop decisions. How do you nail the timing, get nutrition spot on, and boost your results? To answer that, we’ve got Ben Foster from RHIZA and Gavin Stewart, Fertiliser Product Manager for Scotland, and George Proctor, Contracting Operations Manager at Agrii.
Summary:
Nitrogen needs to be used more efficiently as prices rise and CBAM fertiliser tax comes in. Many farms only achieve around 60% nitrogen use efficiency, but Agrii trials show variable‑rate, evidence‑based applications can lift this to 70–75%.Liquid fertiliser offers accuracy and quicke...Are Bats the Most Underrated Pest Control on Farm?
Today we’re talking moths and asking a bold question: could bats be the game‑changing IPM tool that protects harvestable yield and boosts the bottom line for this Kent dessert‑apple farm? Richard and Fraiya Chandler of Chandler & Dunn, together with Agrii agronomist Neil Obbard, have been putting this idea to the test.
Summary:
Bats as natural pest control: The farm is exploring whether boosting bat populations can significantly reduce key moth pests in apple orchards, lowering reliance on insecticides and cutting production costs.
High economic impact of moth damage...
Get Your Crops Right This Spring – Nutrition, Tech and Protection Tips
Crop resilience is a major talking point, but what does it really mean for this spring and the season ahead? How can farmers set crops up to deliver reliable, consistent results in a challenging growing year?
In this episode, we are joined by Agrii’s John Miles, Seed Technical Manager, Tom Land, National Fertiliser Manager, Jonathan Trotter, Technical Trials Manager, and Jody Littleford, Technical Manager at Combinable Crop Trials. Together, they discuss how varieties, nutrition, Biosolutions and fungicides, and the latest technology can be brought together to build stronger, more resilient crops from the outset.
Su...
Maize Under Pressure – Building Resilience into the System
Growing last year’s forage proved challenging, with weather conditions hitting many crops. Maize, in particular, remains highly sensitive to in‑season pressures - yet it continues to offer major advantages when managed well. So what benefits can maize deliver, and how can growers set themselves up for success in 2026? To explore these questions, we're joined by two experts: Ben Lowe, Agrii’s National Forage Manager, and Tom Turner, Regional Sales Manager for KWS.
Podcast summary:
2025 growing season was highly variable, with some regions achieving excellent maize yields while others suffered severe drought and ex...
Can Carbon Actually Make you Money?
Considering the unpredictable nature of farm margins, what straightforward opportunities are available for farmers to earn extra income through carbon initiatives?
Today, our experts shed light on this. Agrii’s Amy Hardwick, Sustainability and Environmental Manager, Agrii’s Neil Harper, Agronomist and Arable Technical Manager, and Alan Clifton-Holt, Farms Director at AA Clifton Ltd, who farms on Romney Marsh in Kent.
If you would like to start exploring the initiatives available, click here to see what it could mean for your farm.
Accidental Counsellors and the Future of Farm Wellbeing
Today we explore the Agri Wellbeing Alliance, launched at LAMMA in January to strengthen mental health and wellbeing across agriculture. A recent study led by Professor David Rose at Harper Adams University for the alliance highlights the urgent need to widen the safety net of support for farming communities, including better help for those who find themselves acting as accidental counsellors.
Joining us today are Petra Martin from Agrii, Professor David Rose from Harper Adams University, and Sam Downey from Mates in Mind.
Agrii can help future-proof your farm by growing a diverse range of c...
Autumn Update: Building Crop Resilience to Protect Yield
Today we are asking how can we build better crop resilience and rooting in forward crops to overcome the changes in variety, susceptibility, and changing weather patterns. To help us with those key questions, we have Agrii's Tim Horton, technical Manager for combinable crops, and Jodie Littleford, technical Manager for combinable crop trials. Summary:
Building Resilience:
Strong root systems critical for nutrient and water uptake.Use of manganese seed treatments and micronutrients (manganese, zinc).Biostimulants like Inoculate (peptide-based elicitor) shown to boost crop health and yield.Management Tips:
Monitor crops c...Beyond the Bottom Line: Strategies for Resilient Farming
Today we’re talking about the challenges facing farm businesses after two very difficult years of crop establishment and a dry summer that has left many under significant financial pressure. That’s the picture here in the UK, but globally we’re seeing record harvests - and it’s not just arable enterprises under strain. Livestock producers have been severely affected too. So, what can farmers do to navigate this period and build resilience? To explore that question, we're joined by Lucy Braithwaite-Exley Scotland Origination Manager with Bunge, and Paul Pickford, Farm Business Consultant. This episode covers:
Create...
Feeding the Roots: Phosphorus for Profitable Crops
In this episode, we discuss phosphorus as a key nutrient across a range of crops, from cereals and potatoes to vegetables, and review recent research and its impact on financial margins. We’ll also cover how farmers and growers can get involved and learn more. Joining us are Agrii’s Tom Land, Fertiliser Technical Manager, and Don Pendergrast, Technical Manager for Specialty Crops.
Episode overview:
Phosphorus is vital for crop establishment and root development: It supports energy transfer, growth, and fertility in cereals, potatoes, and vegetables. Declining phosphorus levels in grain analysis suggest a need...TELUS x Agrii: The Digital Backbone of Modern Farming
Today we ask, can a farmer have too much data? As on-farm challenges grow, how can data become vital to farm businesses and what new tools are available? To help us explore these questions, we are joined by Ben Hatton from TELUS, and Sam Fordham from RHIZA Digital.
Data Overload or Opportunity?The episode explores whether farmers can have too much data and how to make it meaningful for decision-making.TELUS Partnership for Smarter Farming
Agrii and TELUS are working together to deliver cloud-based crop management tools that streamline data sharing and...
Future-Proofing Forage Against Weather Extremes
This episode focuses on the challenges farmers are facing with forage this year. After a wet winter and a dry summer, concerns are growing around forage shortages for livestock. We are joined by Ben Lowe, Agrii’s National Forage Product Manager, and Amy Hardwick, Sustainability and Environmental Services Manager, to discuss the current situation, the pressures on arable and livestock systems, and the practical steps farmers can take now to protect forage supplies and build longer-term resilience.
After a wet winter and dry summer, forage shortages are a real concern for livestock farmers.Arable yields are mixed and shi...Resilient Farming in Action: Live from the AgriiFocus Panel
Today we’re recording live here at AgriiFocus, an Agrii iFarm, at North Farm near Marlborough, Wiltshire. Arable farming is facing an increasingly challenging environment. Improving the resilience of soils, crops and businesses is key to delivering productivity gains. The question is: what action can you take on farm, and what technologies can you adopt?
To help you answer those questions, we have our panel:
James Bonner, who farms in NorthamptonshireAlan Clifton-Holt, who farms in KentRuth Mann, Head of Integrated Crop Technologies at AgriiIf you have any questions for our speakers, simply email info@ag...
Live on Farm: The Ripening Story of British Blackcurrants in a Changing Climate
Today we’re recording live from West End Farm in Somerset, home to RAJ Morris and their recent blackcurrant harvest. We’re here in the field with Harriet Prosser, agronomist for Ribena, and Matt Greep, fruit and horticultural agronomist with Agrii. Together, we’ll be exploring the unique challenges of growing blackcurrants – from changing weather patterns to the evolving role of agronomy – and hearing how growers are adapting to keep this iconic crop thriving.
Recorded live during harvest – walk the rows at West End Farm and see how the crop is managed in real time.From wartime vitamin C to modern...Live from Groundswell: A Plain English Policy Update with AIC, AHDB and Agrii
Live from Groundswell: How can we build a more resilient farm business?
Part 1
Farmers are increasingly impacted by policy changes - from regulation to subsidy reform. But what’s on the horizon? And what does it mean for on-farm decisions and long-term business planning?
Guests:
Ed Barker, Head of Policy and External AffairsVicky Robinson, Head of SustainabilityNeil Harper, AgronomistMike Gooding, Farming Systems Director, AHDBPart 2
Later in the podcast, we’ll explore practical tips to build better farm resilience. This episode offers a simp...
Rooted in Nutrition: Soil Health and Smarter Inputs
Today we’re joined by Agrii’s Tom Perrott, Fertiliser and Crop Inputs Specialist, and Dave Thompson, Farm Manager at Eastbury Estates in Dorset. In this episode, we explore soil health, crop nutrition and how ‘stacking the benefits’ – using alternative sources of nutrition to better support the crop – can, with an innovative approach, strengthen the whole farm operation.
To find out more about crop nutrition from Agrii, visit agrii.co.uk/our-services/fertiliser
Tony Smith is the host of Tramlines. Based in the South West and from a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) in...
Wheat That Works: Hexton and the Value of Variety Investment
Today we’re joined by Agrii’s Technical Manager, John Miles, David Schafer, Wheat Breeder at RAGT, and Hugh Harley, BIPO representative. As farmers and agronomists weigh up wheat variety choices for the season ahead, we’ll explore Hexton – a new wheat variety – its potential fit for your farm, and how an existing seed royalty scheme could benefit your business.
The Agrii 2025 Autumn Yearbook is available now. Visit yearbook.agrii.co.uk
Tony Smith is the host of Tramlines. Based in the South West and from a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) in Agri...
The Malting Barley Blueprint: Aligning Breeding, Farming and Market Needs
The malting barley blueprint, aligning breeding, farming and market needs: big questions and vital for the malting barley industry. To help answer those questions, we have David Griggs, technical director from Crisp Malt, Charlie Catto, agronomist with Agrii and Paul Bury, barley breeder from Secobra Research. We are at the perfect location to ask those questions, recording live at Secobra's spring barley research site in Norfolk.
For more information on Agrii's spring barley varieties, visit www.agrii.co.uk/your-crops/cereals/spring-barley
Tony Smith is the host of Tramlines. Based in the South West and...
Keep the Faith in OSR
Today we are joined by Agrii's David Leaper, seed technical specialist, and Sarah Hawthorne, head of arable products for DSV in the UK. With the area of OSR being grown down this year, crops currently in the ground are looking very good.
We are going to reexamine how to get the best out of this crop. What are the latest seed breeding developments and agronomy views?
Claim 1 BASIS and NRoSO point for listening to this podcast. Email info@agrii.co.uk with your membership number, full name, postcode, DOB and title of podcast.
Your g...
Gain with Grain: Sustainable Solutions from Agrii, Viterra & Whitworth
Today’s topic of discussion is sustainable grain programmes, focussing on a new offer from Agrii, Viterra and Whitworth Brothers Flour Millers. We are delighted to be joined by Amy Watkins from Agrii, Sam Chambers from Viterra and William Butler from Whitworth. We will explore how sustainable grain programmes can benefit both farmers and supply chain partners economically, enhance industry sustainability and offer consumers value through quality and traceability.
Agrii can help you future proof your farming by growing a diverse range of crops together with compressive advice on environmental and sustainable business opportunities. For more information vis...
Blackgrass Battles: How One Idea Sparked a Major Field Trial
Today we are joined by Agrii's Jamie Lyttle, agronomist, and Greg Taylor, area business manager and agronomist. Our focus is tackling a real challenge - black-grass - and how, through identifying the problem, field-scale trials were able to find real solutions. Let’s hear from the agronomist on that farm about how possible solutions were identified to help manage this persistent problem.
Join us at the Tusmore demo event on 10th June. Book here from 1st May www.agrii.co.uk/events/
Tony Smith is the host of Tramlines. Based in the South West and from...
Seed Success: Understanding Treatments, Science & Innovation
Today we are joined by Agrii’s David Leaper, seed technical specialist, and Poppy Bunting, crop inputs specialist. In this episode, we are taking a technical dive into seed treatments. Exploring traditional seed treatments and their viability alongside the new biological offerings, understanding soil borne pathogens, seed borne insects, diseases and pests. We also delve into exclusive seed treatments, backed by Agrii’s extensive R&D trials programme and discuss how we can grow healthy crops.
Claim 1 BASIS and NRoSO point for listening to this podcast. Email info@agrii.co.uk with your membership number, full name, postc...
The Reality of SFI: Part 2 - The What, Where and How?
Today we are joined by Agrii’s Adam Simper, national grass, roots and environmental seeds manager and Simon Hobbs, national cover crop, environmental and wildflower seeds technical manager. In this episode our focus is SFI. Is it much more than simply taking the payment? How can SFI also benefit the farm business in terms of both productivity and financial performance.
For more information, look out for our 2025 cover crops brochure and autumn seed yearbook which can be found in the Agrii library. Visit here.
Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South We...
Smart Nutrition: Maximising ROI on Phosphate, Potash & Nitrogen
Today we are talking with Tom Land, national fertiliser manager at Agrii and Peter Scott technical director at Origin Soil Nutrition. The focus for this episode is crop nutrition with a particular focus on phosphate and potash usage, how to optimise the ROI and ensure that the crop can fully utilise nitrogen efficiently as well as other important nutrients.
For more information and useful articles on crop nutrition click here.
Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture. H...
Scottish Farming in Focus: Seasonal Advice from Bee Edge Farm
Today we are talking with Annabel Hamilton from Bee Edge farm in the Scottish borders and Greig Baird head of agronomy teams in Scotland for Agrii. In this episode we are checking in with Bee Edge farm which is also an Agrii iFarm, to see how the season is faring so far, what can be learnt from the previous harvest year and what are the top tips as we start a busy season on farm.
To find out more about Agrii's summer iFarm events and how to book, visit here.
Tony Smith is your host o...
Potato Power: Partnerships & Protection for the High Value Crop
Today, we are talking with James Wrinch from East Suffolk Produce, Graham Tomalin from VCS Potatoes, and Don Pendergrast, Technical Manager for Non-Combinable Trials with Agrii. In this episode, we're going to focus in on the potato crop and The Potato Partnership, which looks to find solutions to the most pressing weed, pest, and disease threats facing this high-value crop.
To find out more about The Potato Partnership, visit www.thepotatopartnership.co.uk and for details on upcoming events, click on the events tab to find out more.
Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines...
Maize Matters: Ensure your variety selection is in Harmony
Today we are talking with Ben Lowe, national forage product manager with Agrii and Tim Richmond, UK and Ireland product manager for Limagrain Field Seeds. Focusing in on the forage maize crop, is that time in the season where making the right variety choices is critical. So let’s ask the experts for some key advice and find out what’s new when it comes to variety choice.
Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South West and with a farming background, he graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture. He worked in the farm...
Tramlines 2024 Wrapped: Key Podcast Takeaways for 2025
Tramlines hit a milestone 100 episodes in December 2024.
To kick off the new year, we take a look back at some of the most popular episodes of the past year, listening again to some of the great advice from our expert guests who helped us navigate through an incredibly challenging year for British farming.
In Episode 14, we reflect on key moments from:
Live from Cotley Farm: The Craft of Growing Christmas Trees
Today we are recording live on location in East Devon with Lester Bowker of Cotley Farm and Matt Greep, Agrii Area Business Manager for fruit and horticultural agronomist. This episode will be looking at one of the more festive farm enterprises - growing Christmas trees - and exploring the care and maintenance needed as well as the benefits and opportunities that can come from this and other kinds of agritourism.
To find out more about how Agrii can help you with your speciality crops or farm diversification visit agrii.co.uk/contact or email us at info...
Carbon Trading - The Reality
Today we are going to be talking with Agrii's Sustainability & Environmental Services Manager, Amy Watkins and Thomas Gent, UK Market Lead for Agreena and regenerative farmer. This episode will focus on the reality of carbon credits, how regenerative farming can be seen as carbon farming, and how can this benefit the farm business overall?
Are you eager to find out the value of your carbon? Register for a free estimation by visiting this link and one of our team will be in touch -https://url.de.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/sxurCmqK2YFjLRvMUGfxCRJkzA?domain=staging-agreena.kinsta.cloud/
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Partners in the Field: Integrated Pest Management & Beneficial Insects
Today we are going to be talking with wildlife expert Marek Nowakowski, Agrii's technical manager of non-combinable trials Don Pendegrast and seed technical manager John Miles. This episode will be focusing on IPM and the continuing discussion around the use of pesticides, as well as the encouragement of developing wildlife habitats as part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive. What is the value of IPM in combinable crops, what can be learnt from practices going on in other crops and what current practices should growers continue?
Claim 1 BASIS and NRoSO point for listening to this podcast. Email info...
Exploring Inclusivity and Opportunities with Young Farmers Clubs
Today we are going to be talking with Luke Cox, arable farmer and YFC Agri Chair, Agrii Crop Input Specialist Poppy Bunting and Trainee Agronomist Josh Byran. This episode will be focusing on the role of Young Farmers Clubs in our communities, with a specific focus on this year's theme "YFC Is For Everyone" - highlighting a wide range of social and learning opportunities that come with joining a Young Farmers Club.
Agrii are sponsors of National Young Farmers Week, taking place from 7th - 11th October 2024. For more information, resources or to find your local Young...
Focusing on Phosphate with Agrii's Nutrition Specialists
Today we are going to be talking with Agrii's National Fertiliser Manager Tom Land, and John Charlton, Crop Input Specialist in the North East. This episode will be focusing on phosphate across various crops from cereals to maize, and looking at why it's so important to get the nutritional balance right, not just for the crop in the field but also for your farm business profitability.
Unlock phosphate and other vital nutrients in your soil with Agrii-Start Release. For detailed trial results, usage recommendations and tank mix compatibility, visit www.agrii.co.uk/our-services/fertiliser/agrii-start/release/<...
Branching Out With Top Fruit Nutrition
Today we are going to be talking with Agrii fruit agronomists Matt Greep, Emma Smith and Ryan Williams. This episode will be focusing on top fruit and specifically the nutritional requirements of top fruit; why is it so important to get the balance right, what role does tissue analysis play in top fruit production and how can growers correct deficiencies?
To find out more about Agrii's fruit offering, including all the latest trials results, visit the Agrii website: www.agrii.co.uk/your-crops/fruit.
Tony Smith is your host on Tramlines. Based in the South...
Brewing Sustainable Change with Malting Barley
Today we are going to be talking with Rodger Shirreff, national seed business manager at Agrii and Tom Barker, UK product manager at Secobra. This episode will be focusing on malting barley and looking at the key varietal characteristics that growers should look out for, as well as considering what varieties need to achieve for the grower and the wider marketplace from a breeder's perspective.
Agrii R&D conduct an extensive range of independent trials that supports the development of our IPM programmes. For more information on varieties, visit our autumn seed microsite at yearbook.agrii.co...
