Welcome to Shed Talks
Shed Talks takes you behind the scenes of British food and farming with honest and practical conversations, about the issues shaping the future of our industry. Each episode brings together farmers, growers, NFU experts and industry voices to share experiences, ideas and perspectives.
From national lobbying to regional priorities, and the day-to-day realities of farming life, Shed Talks looks at the challenges and opportunities that matter most to the farming industry, and how the NFU is working to make a difference.
To find out more about NFU, head to https://www.nfuonline.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Shed Talks
Shed Talks takes you behind the scenes of British food and farming with honest and practical conversations, about the issues shaping the future of our industry. Each episode brings together farmers, growers, NFU experts and industry voices to share experiences, ideas and perspectives.
From national lobbying to regional priorities, and the day-to-day realities of farming life, Shed Talks looks at the challenges and opportunities that matter most to the farming industry, and how the NFU is working to make a difference.
To find out more about NFU, head to https://www.nfuonline.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Shed Talks
In this episode of Shed Talks, hosts Jacks Weaver and Mike Greenwood-Wilkins sit down with Bal Padda, a first-generation Punjabi farmer from Worcestershire whose self-funded documentary ‘A Punjabi Farm Innit – A story of strawberries, faith and farming’ has captured imaginations far beyond his own community.
You can watch the trailer for the documentary here
Bal reflects on his father’s journey from the Punjab, often described as India’s breadbasket, to the Vale of Evesham. He explains how their family’s strawberry business became the backdrop for a film that challenges assumptions, celebrates diversity, and shows the power of farmers telling their own stories. Inspired by the workers on his farm, Bal shares how the filmmaking process reshaped his understanding of identity, representation, and modern British farming.
In Westminster, Scott Pepe and Neeve McGinty provide a briefing on two major developments. The Budget vote, where Labour MPs voiced opposition to the family farm tax. The discussion outlines what is next for the #StopTheFamilyFarmTax campaign and why the coming months will be critical for farm business resilience. For more information please head to https://www.nfuonline.com/hot-topics/stop-the-family-farm-tax/
They also cover the livestock worrying bill that has now had its Third Reading in the House of Lords and would give police stronger powers to tackle irresponsible dog owners whose pets attack livestock. For more information please head to: https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/private-members-bill-on-livestock-worrying/
Finally, Joshua Payne (NFU Chief Education Manager) takes us inside NFU Education’s Festive Farming Quest, the biggest Christmas project yet, which has connected more than 82,000 children across 800 schools with British farming. From a live tour of the world’s oldest Christmas pudding factory to lessons on sprouts, camels, sheep, and farm vets.
To watch the Sprout Dance and Festive Farming Quest mentioned in the episode please head to the below links:
Sprout Dance: https://www.youtube.com/live/yPF2bXUeoSQ?si=RnzaLUsrtqUgziwv&t=3673
Festive Farming Quest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw5D5Mz4Lvg&t=5s
Key themes and takeaways:
Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Shed Talks
In this episode of Shed Talks, hosts Naomi Williams-Roberts and Josh Redford shine a spotlight on rural crime and the resilience of farming families. Naomi speaks with Surrey farmer Sally, who has faced repeated incidents of fly tipping, gates being cut, and even an attempted burglary on her farm. Sally shares the emotional toll of confronting offenders, including one frightening moment with her young daughter in the car.
In Westminster, Olivia Phoenix and Ruairi Hodges provide an update on rural crime policy and the countdown to the Budget. They examine the NFU’s long‑running lobbying on livestock worrying, expected to become law later this year, and outline the priorities on the #StopTheFamilyFarmTax campaign. With activity from Police and Crime Commissioners and the Home Office, the segment highlights how political engagement is shaping the future of rural security and farm business resilience.
We also catch up with Berkshire Farm Girl, Eleanor Gilbert, who is documenting her first US harvest run. Travelling 2,200 miles across multiple states with Paplow Harvesting & Trucking, Eleanor offers an unfiltered look at life on the road: early starts, long convoys of combines, relentless heat, and the sheer scale of American grain production. She reflects on the shocks, challenges and lessons learnt from operating in a high‑pressure, large‑scale system, and what she hopes to bring back to her career in UK agriculture.
Key themes and takeaways:
Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Shed Talks
In this episode, Bizza Walters and Luke Cox tackle one of the most important topics in British agriculture, farm safety. It is a subject often overlooked until something goes wrong, but as this episode shows, the smallest actions can have life-saving consequences.
The main feature focuses on real experiences from farmers who know how quickly everyday situations can turn serious. Callum Lindsay, a hill farmer from the Isle of Arran, shares how a quad bike accident in 2023 left him with severe injuries and a long recovery, and why he is now calling for a culture change around ATV safety. Ed Caudwell, an Oxfordshire farmer, reflects on the workshop accident that nearly cost him his life while working in New Zealand and the vital lessons it taught him about training, preparation and risk awareness.
In the Westminster segment, the External Affairs team bring listeners up to speed on what has been happening in Parliament and on farm. They explain what departmental oral questions are, why they matter and how the NFU works with MPs in the lead-up to them. The team also reflect on the Farming Minister’s recent visit to Derbyshire and how visits like this help ministers see the realities of farming first-hand. With just a month to go until the Budget, they share the latest on NFU lobbying and what they are pushing for to support farm businesses across the country.
To close, the Global Ag View takes us to Hanover in Germany, where the world’s largest agricultural machinery show, Agritechnica, is in full swing. Matt Tilt, editor of Farm Contractor and Large Scale Farmer magazine, joins us from the event to share his insights into the latest machinery trends, innovations and technologies set to influence UK farming.
Key themes and takeaways:
Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Shed Talks
In the third episode of the NFU’s podcast Shed Talks, the final pair of our presenting trio, Mike Greenwood-Wilkins and Jacks Weaver, take a deep dive into tenant farming, exploring opportunities for growth, policy insights, and global food security.
Fun fact - Mike previously appeared on The Great British Bake Off, proving he can handle both the kitchen and the farm!
Our main feature was recorded fresh from the NFU’s Tenant Farmers’ Conference panel, where the theme was Room to Grow: Opportunities for Growth in Tenant
Farming. The episode features conversations with tenant farmers about how they are adapting, diversifying, and finding opportunities to grow their businesses, alongside discussions about tenancy agreements, landlord relationships, and the practical realities of farming under tenancy.
In the Westminster segment, there are two highlights. First, Ruairi Hodges speaks with Alan Laidlaw, the first-ever UK Commissioner for Tenant Farming, addressing questions submitted by NFU members on key issues affecting tenant farmers. Then, Neeve McGinty and Ruairi explore the Farming and Food Fellowship (FaFF): why it was created, its impact on building cross-party understanding of rural issues, and plans for the next cohort of fellows. To get in touch regarding
The episode closes with a World Ag perspective (WAG): Mike and Jacks speak with Miika Ilomäki, Chief Preparedness Specialist at Finland’s National Emergency Supply Agency, about how Finland has built one of the world’s most resilient food systems. From high levels of self-sufficiency and strategic reserves to strong public-private cooperation, Finland’s approach demonstrates the value of planning for food security at every level.
Key themes and takeaways:
Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Shed Talks
In this episode hosts Naomi Williams-Roberts and Josh Redford explore how farmers are managing livestock nutrition after a dry summer, what support is available, and how the NFU is helping members plan for the season ahead. Naomi shares what it’s like to open her on-farm pumpkin patch for the season, while Josh reflects on preparing for the NFU’s upcoming annual general meetings.
They are joined by James Daniel from Precision Grazing and NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton, who offer practical tips on making the most of limited forage, the value of early planning, and how to stay flexible in a changing climate. Read more on the NFU's sustainable protein action plan: https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/sustainable-protein-action-plan/
In our Westminster segment, Olivia Phoenix is joined by Scott Pepe to look ahead to a busy autumn of political lobbying. They discuss the NFU’s strong presence at this year’s party conferences, where the team engaged with over 600 politicians and hosted key discussions on the future of food and farming.
Finally, we hear from Professor Nigel Mason at the University of Kent about his team’s remarkable work growing tea in simulated moon soil — and how this space science might have lessons for agriculture back on Earth.
Key themes and takeaways:
Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Shed Talks
In this first episode of the NFU’s new podcast Shed Talks, hosts Bizza Walters and Luke Cox explore what resilience really looks like in British farming today – from daily pressures to long-term planning, mental health, and the challenges farmers face both at home and abroad.
They are joined by two farmers: Hannah Jackson, known to many as The Red Shepherdess, who farms sheep and cattle in the Yorkshire Dales, and Oliver Collingham, who works on a mixed arable and livestock farm in Lincolnshire.
Together, they share honest reflections on the realities of farming life, how they stay resilient, and why support networks and open conversations matter.
Also in this episode, our Westminster segment features NFU External Affairs team members Olivia Phoenix and Ruairi Hodges, who discuss the new Defra top team and explain why it is vital for the NFU to maintain a presence at party political conferences every year.
The episode ends with a powerful story from Mary Rickert, a cattle rancher in California whose community has been left devastated by attacks from wild wolves and mountain lions. Hear how ACDC music has helped!
Listener warning: This interview includes graphic descriptions of livestock attacks and may be distressing for some listeners.
To find out more about your hosts and todays guests head to the below links:
Bizza Walters - @bizza.walters
Hannah Jackson - @redshepherdess
To find out more about NFU, head to www.nfuonline.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Shed Talks. This is the new podcast opening the door to British food and farming.
From muddy fields to Westminster, join farmers, growers, NFU experts and industry voices for honest conversations about the challenges, priorities and future of farming.
Real stories. Real people. Real farming. By farmers, for farmers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.