Agricology Podcast

Author: Agricology

www.agricology.co.uk is a hub that explores moving towards farming systems that harness ecological processes & holistic approaches to help balance productive agriculture with enhancing the wider environment. In 2020, we chatted with some of the movers & shakers in the fields, labs & food supply chains; focusing on sustainable farming practices in 'Agroecology in focus' & speaking with innovating farmers 'In the field.' We returned in 2024 'In conversation with' an exciting line up of farmers, researchers, advisors & industry figures who set out to explore optimal carrying capacity; the practical, philosophical & pertinent. This was followed in 2025 by a diverse range of voices exploring the complex & often polarising topic of tillage - to till or not to till? Out now is our latest series 'Agroforestry Through the Elements.' Grounding each episode around the themes of water, fire, earth, air, and people offers a dynamic and exciting way to explore individual topics while emphasising the fundamentally interconnected nature of agroforestry systems. Enjoy!
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Language: en

Genres: Nature, Science

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Rethinking Oilseed Rape - The Promise of Companion Cropping
Episode 1
Thursday, 22 January, 2026

In this special edition of the Agricology Podcast, we introduce an exciting new research project investigating how companion cropping can support pest, weed, and disease management in oilseed rape (OSR). Head of Agricology Matt Smee is joined by Duncan Coston (Entomological Research Consultant and Project Lead) and Lynn Tatnell (Weed Biologist at ADAS) to explore why OSR can be such a challenging crop for UK farmers and how companion cropping could offer a more resilient, regenerative way forward. They discuss topics such as: What companion cropping involves in practice. How this technique could help manage pests such as cabbage stem flea beetle. The benefits of working in partnership with farmers and researchers in Sweden. What the project is hoping to achieve over the next three years. How farmers in the UK can follow the research or get involved in trials. We hope you enjoy listening! Show notes This podcast is part of a three-year research project investigating how companion cropping can support pest, weed, and disease management in winter OSR in Sweden and the UK. Running from January 2025 to December 2027, the study 'Companion Cropping in Winter Oilseed Rape' aims to develop integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that reduce reliance on pesticides, offering growers practical and organic crop protection techniques. The project has been generously funded by the Ekhaga Foundation and is a collaboration between ADAS, Agricology and Agrovast. Read more about the project and how you can get involved in the trials here.