 |
Defra Farming PodcastAuthor: Defra
The Defra Farming Podcast is produced by Defras Farming and Countryside team.Each episode brings together farmers and people from across the sector to share real experiences, explore practical challenges, and talk about what government support and policy changes mean on the ground.Its a space for open conversations about farming in England, from innovation and environmental schemes to productivity, resilience and the future of food production.The podcast is part of Defras commitment to open and transparent communication with the farming community.For regular updates, you can also subscribe to the Defra Farming blog:https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/subscribe Language: en-gb Genres: Government Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
How government funding is supporting innovation on farms - Chris Lyons, Dominic Swan, David Prior Hope
Tuesday, 7 July, 2026
In episode 21, Chris Lyons from Innovate UK speaks to two successful recipients of government innovation funding to find out how it has helped them test new ideas, reduce risk and deliver results on-farm.Dominic Swan from Catalyst Farming explains how four Norfolk farming businesses used a Research Starter project to explore computer crop modelling to improve nitrogen-use efficiency. The work has now secured further support through ADOPT to scale up trials across more farms, soil types and machinery.David Prior Hope from Fibe shares how a feasibility project led to the development of the world's first potato stem harvester. Working with growers, researchers and industry partners, the project is creating a potential new income stream for potato producers by collecting stems that would otherwise be discarded. David explains how the technology is now being tested through ADOPT to compare it with conventional flailing and better understand impacts on soils, nutrients and crop health.Together, they discuss the importance of collaboration, working with researchers and facilitators, overcoming barriers to innovation and sharing results so others can learn from both successes and setbacks.Whether you're a farmer with a practical problem you'd like to solve, a business developing new technologies or a researcher looking to work more closely with industry, this episode offers practical insights into how innovation funding can help turn ideas into on-farm results.ADOPT Support Hubhttps://www.farmpep.net/adopt/enquireFarming Innovation Programme https://farminginnovation.ukri.orgFind an ADOPT facilitatorhttps://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/adopt-project-facilitators/directory-of-facilitatorsFibe https://fibe.ukCatalyst Farminghttps://catalystfarming.co.ukFor more updateshttps://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk
