Tramlines

Agrii
  • 4.9 (15)
  • Science
  • Updated fortnightly

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 work.   Featuring: Farmer Tom, John Miles, Paul Pickford, Prof Andrew Neil, Ruth Mann, Tom Land, Kathryn Styan, Andrew Ward MBE and Simon Weaving. And more… If you enjoyed listening to Tramlines, please leave a review in the app. Got a podcast idea or want to get involved? Email us on info@agrii.co.uk. Listen on:Apple https://bit.ly/tramlinespodcastSpotify https://bit.ly/tramlinespodcast_spotifyGoogle https://bit.ly/tramlinespodcast_google

  1. The Smart Connected Farm: Turning Data into Decisions at Cereals 2026

    1 day ago

    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 - Ruth Mann & Jonathan TrotterSeed - John Miles & Rob Stuart Nutrition - Tom LandDigital - Ben Foster & Jonny Kerley Podcast summary: The Smart Connected Farm is a system designed to help farmers improve profitability, and navigate the digital tools available - from sensors to satellite imagery People remain central: agronomists use data and AI to enhance (not replace) expert, on-the-ground decision-making.Significant R&D investment (450+ trials annually) enables Agrii to reduce risk and provide proven, field-scale insights to growers.A joined-up approach across seed, nutrition, and agronomy allows more precise, early-stage decision-making to improve crop performance.Digital platforms like Contour bring complex data together into simple, actionable insights to drive profitability and compliance.Download insight report: www.agrii.co.uk/insights/smart-connected-farms/

    26 min
  2. Oilseed Rape: Is It Back on the Agenda for UK Growers?

    9 Jun

    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 driving renewed interest in OSR. Profitability goes beyond the crop: OSR remains a valuable break crop, boosting the performance of following cereals. Establishment is everything: success hinges on moisture, timing, and strong early growth in the first 4–6 weeks. Success comes from marginal gains: integrated strategies like Agrii’s eight-point plan help manage risk layer by layer.Variety choice is about risk, not just yield: traits like vigour, disease resilience, and stem health are critical for consistent performance.

    20 min
  3. Growing Better Berries: Integrated Pest Management in Action

    26 May

    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 drive every decisionProactive monitoring keeps pest pressure under controlPollinators improve fruit shape, yield and uniformityBuilding beneficial insect populations lowers costs long term

    20 min
  4. Making Farm Machinery Pay: How Data, Connectivity and Smarter Investment Are Shaping Modern Farming

    19 May

    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 better data, improved connectivity, more efficient operations, and a clearer understanding of true operating costs. Podcast Summary: Why UK farm machinery investment has slowed despite increasing operational pressuresThe true cost of machinery ownership and why many businesses still underestimate itHow telematics and connected platforms are improving machinery efficiency on farmWhy idle time and machine utilisation matter more than ever in tight-margin farmingThe growing role of data and connectivity in future machinery purchasing decisions

    20 min
  5. Climate Resilience: Planning for drought, flooding and everything between

    28 Apr

    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: What future climate conditions could look like for UK farming, and why variability matters more than averagesThe practical impact of drought, flooding and seasonal extremes on crop performanceHow soil structure and organic matter underpin water management and resilienceWhere investment decisions, such as drainage, can influence yield and long-term returnsHow to approach crop and variety choice in less predictable conditionsThe role of modelling and data in supporting better on-farm decisionsWhy resilience is as much about business and mindset as it is about agronomy

    20 min
  6. Subsidy Shake-Up - Making Sense of SFI, SFS and Scottish Rules

    7 Apr

    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 requirements.England’s SFI reopens this year with fewer actions, one agreement per farm and a £100k annual cap, so early preparation is essential.Wales’ new Sustainable Farming Scheme is replacing a significant BPS reduction, with many upland farms choosing it for better income fit.Additional funding options remain available across the UK—including grants and carbon‑credit opportunities—although competitiveness and long‑term commitments vary.You can find details of your local Agrii agronomist and environmental specialist at agrii.co.uk/contact.

    20 min
  7. Spring Decisions: Timing, Nutrition, Results

    10 Mar

    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 quicker uptake, especially in dry springs. Adding inhibitors like Liqui‑Safe can increase nitrogen use efficiency by ~15% and delivered a 4% yield uplift across 42 winter wheat trials.Precision starts with understanding variability, not guessing it. Farmers should use Contour satellite imagery, drones, and N‑sensors to judge crop demand, identify differences in biomass, and decide whether to feed weaker or stronger areas.Contract sprayers give farmers access to variable‑rate technology they may not have on their own kit. Liquid systems and modern sprayers allow accurate, low‑pressure applications that reduce crop damage and support timely operations in narrow weather windows.Timing and conditions matter as much as rate. Using hyper‑local weather data in Contour helps farmers and contractors judge field conditions, hit application windows, and make sure nitrogen is applied when the crop can use it effectively.

    20 min
  8. Are Bats the Most Underrated Pest Control on Farm?

    3 Mar

    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: Moth species like codling moth and tortrix can cause major crop losses, and current chemical control costs the farm £500–£600 per hectare. Scientific evidence backs the idea: A 2022 study shows that a single brown long‑eared bat can reduce crop loss by 81–83% per hectare - a remarkable potential impact.  Habitat improvement is key: Enhancing hedgerows, tree cover, and installing appropriate bat boxes can help attract and support different bat species, boosting their presence in orchards.  Wider farming benefits: Using bats aligns with sustainable IPM, protects biodiversity, and may translate to benefits across other crops like plums, cherries, and blueberries.

    20 min
See All (133)

4.9
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

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 work.   Featuring: Farmer Tom, John Miles, Paul Pickford, Prof Andrew Neil, Ruth Mann, Tom Land, Kathryn Styan, Andrew Ward MBE and Simon Weaving. And more… If you enjoyed listening to Tramlines, please leave a review in the app. Got a podcast idea or want to get involved? Email us on info@agrii.co.uk. Listen on:Apple https://bit.ly/tramlinespodcastSpotify https://bit.ly/tramlinespodcast_spotifyGoogle https://bit.ly/tramlinespodcast_google

Information

  • Creator
    Agrii
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tramlines
  • Show Website
    Tramlines

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