Brash Ag

Raymond King and Kit Franklin

Brash Ag will be lifting the lid on everything agricultural technology and agtech. Your hosts Raymond King and Kit Franklin are both Chartered Agricultural Engineers and experienced innovators and technologists. Through a mixture of commentary, insights and interviews, Ray and Kit will be using their experience to explore and explain the concepts, ideas, technology and business models that make agtech one of the most exciting and engaging industries to be involved in. Email us: contact@brash-ag.com Season One supported by the Douglas Bomford Trust www.dbt.org.uk Raymond King https://www.linkedin.com/in/flynt-technology/ Kit Franklin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kit-franklin-33649a51/

  1. 69. Ezekiel McReynolds: Cyber security lessons; from the frontline of warfare to the bottom line of farming

    4 DAYS AGO

    69. Ezekiel McReynolds: Cyber security lessons; from the frontline of warfare to the bottom line of farming

    Could farm machinery be the new frontline for the war on cyber crime? How will cyber threats shape the future of autonomy on farms and what can farmers and engineers do to protect themselves and each other? In this episode Kit and Ray are joined by Ezekiel (Zeke) McReynolds to talk all things Cyber security and agritech. With a fascinating background that spans agricultural engineering and military work, Zeke is well placed to guide the co-hosts through the murky world of cyber crime and the vital work that is being done to help keep users, owners and the public safe. The hosts share some of their experiences of how cyber security has been (or hasn’t been adopted) from their own experiences innovating in farm robotics and ag machinery space. Zeke also offers some real down to earth examples of how farmers and engineers can implement cyber security in their day to day work without breaking the bank in the process. A big fan of Brash Ag, Zeke also echos the rallying cry to encourage more engineers into agriculture and highlights the opportunities for Cyber specialists to move to a more rewarding career supporting farmers and agtech in the field. Could agriculture help free more people from sinking forever into their seat cushions?...

    58 min
  2. 68. Maddison Dixon: From Blues clubs to blue skies, how drones and the Mississippi Delta changed the world

    5 FEB

    68. Maddison Dixon: From Blues clubs to blue skies, how drones and the Mississippi Delta changed the world

    How did the Mississippi delta change the world of music, aviation and agriculture? This week Ray and Kit are joined by Maddison Dixon, Associate director at Agricultural Autonomy Institute at Mississippi State University. Maddison explains how growing up watching crop dusters perform feats of daring in the Mississippi delta ignited a passion for aviation and agriculture. The co-hosts also get fascinating insight into the history of blues music and how it led to some of the greatest rock bands and music in the world from Muddy Waters to Led Zepplin. With a deep understanding of drones and their applications stretching back to when the technology was in its infancy, Maddison gives amazing insights to not only the technology but also the business cases for services providers and even farmers. With the recent ban on the sale of Chinese manufactured drones in the US, Maddison helps explain some of the motivations behind the move. He also explains how the AAI has been working with US drone manufacturers to help keep pace with foreign competition. While the first manned flight may have been from American soil, Kit and Ray wonder whether flight was really perfected by the British with the Spitfire or perhaps we have all been overtaken by the Chinese?...

    53 min
  3. 67. LAMMA Show Pt2 - Cows can’t use toilets…can they?

    29 JAN

    67. LAMMA Show Pt2 - Cows can’t use toilets…can they?

    In this second episode from Ray's adventure to LAMMA Show 2026. Ray brings another three of his top picks from his day. Did Ray manage to complete his side quest? We find out when we hear from: Jeremy Clark at Smaxtec, the smart bolas company that promises to turn biometric data into actionable insights using the power of AI and machine learning. Jermey explains the benefits of being able to spot medical issues and calving from internal temperature data before the cattle show any visual signs of distress. A shout out to Emma Pattison for showing Ray through the Smaxtech data dashboard and how the product works. Bart Pennings from Hanskamp and their revolutionary new cow toilet that promises to reduce emissions for housed animals and add value to the waste collected. Bart explains how the idea came from a tried and tested technique that veterinarians use to capture urine samples. Bart also gives some of the drivers behind the product, including the part that legislation has played, driving the Hanskamp engineers to provide a solution. Ben Bamnet of Somerset EV, old friend and guest of the pod. Ben gives us a frank run down of the EV tech on display at LAMMA including the latest electric Fendt tractor and Merlo Telehander. Are all electric tractors created equal and has anyone perfected the electric telehandler yet? Ben also gives us an update on the EV converted Leyland tractor, including some modifications that have opened up new capabilities. Another jam packed episode with plenty of new tech and insights from the co-hosts. Remember to like, subscribe and follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

    48 min
  4. 66. LAMMA Show Pt1 - V8s & Mullets, 1980’s fashion but state of the art Tech

    22 JAN

    66. LAMMA Show Pt1 - V8s & Mullets, 1980’s fashion but state of the art Tech

    LAMMA Show Special Part 1. This week Ray brings three of his top picks from his recent trip to LAMMA 2026 show at the NEC. Ray spent a day at the show and brings the Brash Ag listeners his highlights of the tech and innovations that were on display, we hear from: Eoin Clarke, Marketing Executive from McHale tells us about the Terradrive driven axle on the Fusion balers wrappers. Eoin tells us about the challenges that McHale has seen for farmers of hilly ground, how the tech works and importantly what it costs! Chris Gordon, Operations Manager from Kidd Machinery gives us some of the history of Kidd Machinery, why John Harvey Engineering Limited bought Kidd Machinery and how the recent purchases of Bush Pig and WRAG Fencing have helped to produce a formidable product line up. Could this be the start of a home grown Alamo group? Shout out to Freddie Siebert for taking the time to show us around the stand as well and sorry that we mistook you for your brother Robert Siebert. Rowan Duckworth, Digital Services Specialist at Hutchinsons, tells us about the Terramapping technology (provided by Soil Optix) that Hutchinson provides to help farmers optimise their fertiliser applications for maximum efficiency. Rowan also explains an exciting new integration between the Omnia platform and John Deere, allowing farmers to get access to the full value out of their machinery and software. We also get the co-hosts' thoughts on the rise and reign of the mullet and harlequin shorts combination, which has become the staple for all budding Young Farmers. As well as how LAMMA has changed and evolved to have a significant retail section for farmers restock their wardrobes and workshops!

    47 min

  5. 15 JAN

    65. From Wiltshire to Japan: What January’s Ag News Tells Us About the Future

    In this episode of Brash Ag, hosts Raymond King and Kit Franklin dive into a packed January news round-up covering UK agricultural engineering, global farming challenges, and where the next generation of ag talent will come from. 🔧 We start with UK machinery shake-ups, including: • Chafer Machinery entering administration and re-emerging as Chafer Nexus under new leadership • Kidd Farm Machinery expanding its fencing portfolio with the acquisition of Bush Pig and the WRAG Machinery brand • What this means for UK manufacturing, IP, and agricultural engineering jobs 🤖 We then head east to Japan, discussing projections from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) that up to 30% of farmland could be abandoned by 2035 — and why this presents a major opportunity for automation, robotics and precision agriculture, with references to: • Kubota • Iseki • Hokkaido University • Kyoto University • Pioneering work by Professor Noboru Noguchi and Professor Naoshi Kondo 🌱 Back in the UK, we reflect on conversations sparked at the Oxford Farming Conference, including: • Alex Hardy (Harper Adams University) on the journey from Tractor Ted to technologist • The role of Tractor Ted, Young Stock Magazine (Emma’s work), and media like Clarkson’s Farm in shaping perceptions of farming • Whether UK agriculture needs a dedicated policy think tank — and where agricultural engineers fit into that conversation 📈 We also zoom out globally, looking at Mahindra’s staggering tractor sales figures in India and what they tell us about scale, horsepower, and productivity — with a nod to UK market data from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA). This episode is a reminder that engineering, policy, media, and optimism all matter if agriculture is going to attract talent, remain productive, and stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. 🎧 Listen now, follow the podcast, and share with someone who should be thinking about a future in ag-tech. #BrashAg #AgEngineering #AgTech #FarmMachinery #UKManufacturing #Robotics #Autonomy #OxfordFarmingConference #HarperAdams #Kubota #Mahindra #FutureOfFarming

    42 min

  6. 8 JAN

    64. Prof Simon Pearson MBE - An Honour Earned Engineering in the Field

    In this episode of the Brash Ag Podcast, Raymond King and Kit Franklin are joined by Simon Pearson — farmer’s son, ag-engineer, academic, commercial operator, and now MBE for services to agri-engineering after receiving a nomination by DEFRA. Simon’s career cuts across every part of the ag-tech system: From glasshouse engineering and patents at University of Reading To global supply chains and technology leadership at Marks & Spencer To building one of the UK’s most influential ag-robotics ecosystems at University of Lincoln and the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology We get into: 🚜 Why farming problems are engineering problems (and always have been) 🤖 What ag-robotics gets wrong when it ignores real farms 💸 Why UK ag-tech struggles to scale compared to the US — and how that could change 🌱 Translating research into companies like Saga Robotics and FruitCast 🧠 Why AI won’t replace farmers — but will change how decisions get made If you care about ag-tech, robotics, AI, productivity, or the future of farming, this one’s essential listening. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify #AgTech #AgriEngineering #Robotics #AIinAgriculture #Innovation #FarmingFuture #UKAgTech #ResearchToReality #BrashAg

    53 min

  7. 1 JAN

    63. New Year, New Realities for UK Farming & AgTech

    In this news-led episode, Raymond King and Kit Franklin dig into what really matters as UK agriculture heads into a turbulent new year. We unpack: 🚜 What the Farm Profitability Review actually means for ag-tech, machinery, and engineers 📉 Why policy uncertainty is freezing on-farm investment (even when changes are “positive”) 🤖 Where real opportunities exist for automation, robotics, and compliance tech 🐖 How animal welfare reforms could drive – or derail – practical innovation ⚙️ And why selling more horsepower might be the wrong metric for the future of farming Along the way, we ask hard questions about ROI, interoperability, scale-up gaps, and whether engineers are missing from the rooms where decisions get made. If you care about farm profitability, ag-tech adoption, or the future of UK agricultural engineering, this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now and join the debate. #BrashAg #AgTech #AgEngineering #FarmProfitability #UKFarming #AgPolicy #Robotics #Automation #Machinery #Innovation

    49 min

  8. 24/12/2025

    62. Myles Reay -End of Year Special | From Workshops to World Stages

    In this end-of-year Brash Ag episode, Raymond King and Kit Franklin sit down with Myles Ray, a mechanical engineering student on placement at Holbrook Engineering, to talk about what actually makes a good engineer — and why hands-on experience still matters in ag-tech. We cover: 🔧 From Harper Adams University workshops to real-world fabrication, welding, CAD, plasma cutting, and on-farm problem solving 🚜 A real example of “Bale-Spikeology” in action — turning a farmer need into a working silage pusher using existing parts and smart design 🏭 The quiet strength of UK manufacturers like Holbrook Engineering, balancing bespoke builds, repairs, and scalable products 🧠 Why mechanical engineering skills translate across agriculture, food, and manufacturing — mindset beats job title 🌍 Reflections on 2024 highlights including World FIRA, Agritechnica, and conversations sparked by companies like GUSS Automation, Carbon Robotics, John Deere, and voices such as Chris Laudando (Laudando & Associates / L&aser) 📈 Where Brash Ag Podcast goes next: more news, more factory visits, more showcasing of UK engineering capability If you’re interested in agricultural engineering, ag-tech careers, farm innovation, or how ideas actually get built — this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify 💬 Tell us what you’d like to hear more of in 2025 🏭 UK manufacturers: if we should come and visit you, get in touch #BrashAg #AgTech #AgriculturalEngineering #MechanicalEngineering #FarmInnovation #UKManufacturing #BaleSpikeology #EngineeringCareers #HarperAdams #AgRobotics #FromCADtoField

    43 min
See All (69)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Brash Ag will be lifting the lid on everything agricultural technology and agtech. Your hosts Raymond King and Kit Franklin are both Chartered Agricultural Engineers and experienced innovators and technologists. Through a mixture of commentary, insights and interviews, Ray and Kit will be using their experience to explore and explain the concepts, ideas, technology and business models that make agtech one of the most exciting and engaging industries to be involved in. Email us: contact@brash-ag.com Season One supported by the Douglas Bomford Trust www.dbt.org.uk Raymond King https://www.linkedin.com/in/flynt-technology/ Kit Franklin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kit-franklin-33649a51/

Information

  • Creator
    Raymond King and Kit Franklin
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Brash Ag

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