The BOFIN Buzz

BOFIN Farmers

A podcast that explores the jaw-dropping world of agri-tech innovations. Find out how you can bring a world of wonder onto your farm. Join us in conversations with leading scientists and industry-innovators discussing some of the exciting projects that the British On-Farm Innovation Network is involved with. This is not a sales pitch it is public funded work, led by farmers discussed by people with a passion for science. New podcast episodes are available every two weeks on podcast platforms so make sure to follow along on our journey of innovation.

  1. Nov 2

    On the Slime Trail | Episode 2: Meet the Slug Sleuths

    7,620 traps. 32,403 slugs counted. Farmers out in their fields, week after week, collecting the data behind SLIMERS. In episode two of On the Slime Trail, a BOFIN Buzz miniseries, Ben Pike and BOFIN’s Tom Allen-Stevens explore what it took to turn on-farm slug monitoring into a valuable scientific dataset. Slug Sleuth Chris Marshall shares what surprised him about where slugs gathered on his farm, why monitoring became a family activity and how taking part encouraged him to look more closely at his crops. We also hear from Professor Keith Walters of Harper Adams University and Dr Kerry McDonald-Howard about the farmers’ contribution, from following trial protocols to helping researchers photograph slugs in the middle of the night. In this episode: • What farmers were asked to do, and how monitoring evolved over three years• Why slugs weren’t always where farmers expected to find them• How 3,000 field photographs helped develop a tool to count crop plants• The citizen science appeal that had gardeners and schoolchildren sending in slugs• What farmers gained beyond the trial results Expect muddy fieldwork, unexpected parcels and a lighting rig that looked more like a rave than a research trial. SLIMERS was led by BOFIN and funded by Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, in partnership with Innovate UK. Next time, we explore how Insight ML used images collected by the Slug Sleuths to develop models for counting plants and slugs. Follow BOFIN Buzz to hear the next episode.

    On the Slime Trail | Episode 2: Meet the Slug Sleuths

  2. Oct 25

    On the Slime Trail | Episode 1: Rethinking slug control

    Slugs can devastate establishing crops, but could understanding their behaviour help farmers take a more targeted approach to controlling them? In the first episode of On the Slime Trail, a BOFIN Buzz miniseries, Ben Pike joins BOFIN’s Tom Allen-Stevens to explore the origins of SLIMERS, a three-year project bringing farmers, researchers and technology developers together to investigate new approaches to slug management. With contributions from Professor Keith Walters of Harper Adams University and Dr Victor Soria-Carrasco of the John Innes Centre, discover how research into slug behaviour, precision treatment with nematodes and an unusual wheat variety helped inspire the project. From an initial supply of just 20 grams of wheat seed to designing trials that work on commercial farms, we hear why involving farmers from the outset was crucial. In this episode:• Why slugs are such a frustrating challenge for arable farmers• What happens when two slugs meet, and why it matters• The potential for technology to detect and treat individual slugs• How slug-resistant wheat made its way into on-farm trials• How farmers and researchers worked together to design practical, scientifically robust trials SLIMERS stands for Strategies Leading to Improved Management and Enhanced Resilience to Slugs. Led by BOFIN, the project was funded by Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, in partnership with Innovate UK. Next time, meet the Slug Sleuths collecting data in the field. Follow BOFIN Buzz to hear the next episode.

    On the Slime Trail | Episode 1: Rethinking slug control

  3. Trailer

    Coming soon! On the Slime Trail : a SLIMERS mini series

    On the Slime Trail – a new SLIMERS podcast mini-series following the journey and success of a three-year, farmer-led project tackling the challenges of slugs in UK agriculture.Hear from our Slug Sleuth farmer triallists, scientists and researchers, as they share the findings, experiences and results uncovered along the way. Join us as we follow the trail and discover what the project has revealed!

    Coming soon! On the Slime Trail : a SLIMERS mini series

  4. 03/21/2025

    The Left Turn Mystery: Uncovering Slug Patches & Precision Treatment through SLIMERS - Part 2

    Why do slugs always turn left when they bump into each other, and how does this behaviour lead to slug patches? In this episode, we dive into the reasoning behind slug movement and explore how this knowledge can revolutionise slug control. Through the SLIMERS project, we're developing accurate and effective methods to target slug patches precisely, reducing the need for widespread pesticide use. Join us as we uncover the secrets of slug behaviour and the future of smart farming solutions!

  5. 03/14/2025

    'Data collection is easy, it's the smart behind it that matters' - Part 1

    Meet Adam Hayward as he shares his journey into farming and his passion for on-farm trials. In this episode, he explains how data collection is just the beginning—the real impact comes from the insights and decisions made from that data. Learn how innovation and smart analysis are shaping the future of farming!

  6. 02/28/2025

    Inside the SLIMERS Project: Adam Lewis’ Mission as a Slug Sleuth - Part 2

    In the second of our two-part series, Adam Lewis dives into his role in the SLIMERS Project as a dedicated Slug Sleuth. Learn about the important work he is doing to monitor slug activity and how this research is driving the future of ag tech. Discover why this project matters for sustainable farming and technological innovation.

  7. 02/21/2025

    Meet the Slug Sleuth: Adam Lewis' Journey into Regen Farming - Part 1

    In the first episode of our two-part series, we meet Adam Lewis, a passionate farmer and our new Slug Sleuth. Discover how Adam got into farming, his background, and why he’s excited about participating in slug monitoring trials. Stay tuned to learn more about his journey and his commitment to innovative farming solutions!

  8. 12/13/2024

    The Crop that Fights Climate Change! - Part 2

    In this two-part episode of the BOFIN Buzz Tom Allen-Stevens meets Liz Bowles of the Farm Carbon Toolkit. Liz talks through carbon footprinting and how farmers can get started with it and they discuss the NCS project and how improving pulse cropping can play a key role in improving farming's carbon footprint.

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About

A podcast that explores the jaw-dropping world of agri-tech innovations. Find out how you can bring a world of wonder onto your farm. Join us in conversations with leading scientists and industry-innovators discussing some of the exciting projects that the British On-Farm Innovation Network is involved with. This is not a sales pitch it is public funded work, led by farmers discussed by people with a passion for science. New podcast episodes are available every two weeks on podcast platforms so make sure to follow along on our journey of innovation.

Information

  • Creator
    BOFIN Farmers
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © BOFIN Farmers
  • Show Website
    The BOFIN Buzz