27. Foot and Mouth - The Day Everything Changed for British Farmers (Part 1)

30. Out of Control Rural Crime and is AI Killing Creativity?

Put your thoughts into the mix [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489593/fan_mail/new] This week on the Wilson and Ashley Podcast, we tackle two issues affecting rural Britain right now: the rise of AI and concerns around the future of creativity, alongside the growing rural crime epidemic impacting farmers and countryside communities across the UK. We begin by discussing a recent video from artist and farming supporter Doodling Lucy, exploring fears that cheap reproduction content could threaten creative industries and small rural businesses. Lucy’s work has long celebrated British farming and agriculture, and we discuss why this conversation matters so much for the countryside. In this episode: * Is AI destroying creativity? * Can people still tell the difference between human-made art and AI-generated content? * Why creativity matters to farming and rural businesses * The rise of diversification on farms through art, crafts and creative brands * The emotional and financial impact of AI on artists and small businesses We also dive into the rural crime epidemic, discussing:  * The latest rural crime stats * Quad bike thefts, GPS theft and organised countryside crime * Livestock theft and the devastating rise in dog attacks on farm animals * The emotional toll rural crime has on farming families * The impact of crime on insurance premiums and day-to-day farm operations * Whether rural policing is fit for purpose * The new Dogs (Protection of Livestock) laws and what they mean for farmers and dog owners * Practical ways rural communities can improve farm security Featuring conversations on: * AI and creative industries * British farming diversification * Rural policing and countryside crime * Livestock worrying laws * NFU Mutual rural crime data * The realities of life in the countryside If you’re interested in British farming, rural affairs, countryside issues, agriculture, creativity, rural business and current affairs, this episode is packed with honest conversation and debate. Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.  Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing Whilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.

29. Celebrity Farmers and Food Labelling Loopholes

Put your thoughts into the mix [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489593/fan_mail/new] We're tackling the controversial British food labelling loophole and ask whether supermarket packaging is confusing consumers — or outright misleading them. With imported food products often displaying Union Jacks, British countryside imagery and phrases like “Packed in Britain” or “Prepared in the UK”, are shoppers being led to believe they’re supporting British farmers when they may not be? We cover: * What the food labelling loophole actually is * Why British flags and branding appear on imported food * The difference between “Packed in Britain”, “Prepared in Britain” and genuinely British produce * Why British farmers are frustrated * Consumer trust in UK food standards and animal welfare * Proposed Conservative reforms to country-of-origin labelling Then we move onto influencers and celebrities buying farms. From viral YouTubers and TikTok stars documenting their countryside moves, to celebrity farming shows like Clarkson’s Farm and Fletchers on the Farm, farming has become a social media lifestyle aspiration. But is that a good thing for agriculture? We discuss: * Why influencers and celebrities are buying farms * Whether social media is glamorising farming * Concerns around animal welfare and misinformation * Farming as a lifestyle brand versus food production * Whether celebrity exposure actually benefits British farming Featuring the below topics: * Clarkson’s Farm * Fletchers on the Farm * Rural influencers and FarmTok culture * British food standards * UK agriculture and countryside life If you care about British farming, food transparency, rural business, livestock, countryside issues and the future of agriculture, this episode is packed with honest conversation and debate. Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.  Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing Whilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.

28. Foot and Mouth - The Aftermath No One Talks About (Part 2)

Put your thoughts into the mix [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489593/fan_mail/new] In Part 2 of our Foot and Mouth series, we move beyond the initial outbreak and into the harsh reality of what it took to bring it under control — and the lasting impact it had far beyond the farm gate. This is the side of the story that is rarely spoken about. We hear from a slaughterman working at the very front line of the response — confronting the scale, intensity, and emotional weight of the job day after day. Alongside this, we explore how the outbreak rippled through the wider rural economy, from farming families outside infected zones to local businesses, communities, and industries brought to a standstill. Foot and Mouth didn’t just affect those who lost livestock — it reshaped entire rural landscapes, both economically and emotionally. Like Part 1, this episode gives space to those who experienced it first-hand, in their own words — because these are stories that deserve to be heard in full. In the 2026 spin-off Dutton Ranch, Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler begin rebuilding their lives and cattle operation in Texas. A major storyline involves a devastating outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in their herd. After discovering that an infected bull was purchased using forged health records, the disease spreads through the cattle, forcing the ranch to euthanize and bury the entire herd to prevent further contamination. The event is portrayed as both an economic disaster and an emotional loss for Beth and Rip, who view the cattle as the foundation of their new ranching future. Disclaimer: This episode contains discussion of the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak, including references to animal culling and suicide. Some listeners may find this distressing. If you’ve been following this series, thank you — and if you haven’t yet, we recommend listening to Part 1 first for the full context. Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.  Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing Whilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.

27. Foot and Mouth - The Day Everything Changed for British Farmers (Part 1)

Put your thoughts into the mix [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489593/fan_mail/new] In this first part of our two-part series, we step back into 2001 — to the beginning of the Foot and Mouth outbreak. An outbreak that would change British farming forever. What started as a single confirmed case quickly escalated into a national crisis. But behind the headlines and statistics were real people, real farms, and real lives being turned upside down. In this episode, we hear directly from those on the front line. A farmer from an affected area shares what it was like to live through the uncertainty, fear, and reality of the disease arriving at the farm gate. We’re also joined by a vet who was working on the ground during the outbreak — an experience so profound it ultimately led him into politics. Together, their stories paint a picture not just of how the disease spread, but of how it felt — the decisions, the pressure, and the moments that have stayed with them ever since. This episode runs in a slightly different format to usual, allowing space for these stories to be told properly — because the human impact of Foot and Mouth was far-reaching, and is still felt today. In the 2026 spin-off Dutton Ranch, Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler begin rebuilding their lives and cattle operation in Texas. A major storyline involves a devastating outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in their herd. After discovering that an infected bull was purchased using forged health records, the disease spreads through the cattle, forcing the ranch to euthanize and bury the entire herd to prevent further contamination. The event is portrayed as both an economic disaster and an emotional loss for Beth and Rip, who view the cattle as the foundation of their new ranching future. Disclaimer: This episode contains discussion of the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak, including references to animal culling and suicide. Some listeners may find this distressing. Thank you to our contributors.  Sources: https://www.woah.org/en/reflections-on-the-foot-and-mouth-disease-epidemic-of-2001-a-united-kingdom-perspective/ [https://www.woah.org/en/reflections-on-the-foot-and-mouth-disease-epidemic-of-2001-a-united-kingdom-perspective/] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12483017 [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12483017] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foot-and-mouth-disease [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foot-and-mouth-disease]  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hand-foot-mouth-disease/ [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hand-foot-mouth-disease/]  https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/mar/21/footandmouth.angeliquechrisafis [https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/mar/21/footandmouth.angeliquechrisafis]  https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7075072.brigadier-tells-chaos-epidemic-fight/ [https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7075072.brigadier-tells-chaos-epidemic-fight/]  https://www.farminguk.com/news/uk-not-prepared-for-foot-and-mouth-outbreak-vets-warn_68307.html [https://www.farminguk.com/news/uk-not-prepared-for-foot-and-mouth-outbreak-vets-warn_68307.html]  Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.  Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing Whilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.

Episode 26 From Lambing Sheds to Land Wars. Farming, Rewilding and the actual Reality

Put your thoughts into the mix [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489593/fan_mail/new] What really happens when you put rewilding, farming, and real-life rural voices in the same conversation? In this unfiltered and often hilarious episode, we dive deep into one of the most controversial debates in modern agriculture: 👉 Should land be rewilded—or should it feed people? From sleep-deprived lambing nights and muddy farm realities to the growing pressure of government schemes, rising costs, and public opinion, this episode pulls back the curtain on what farming actually looks like in 2026. We unpack: * 🌱 The truth behind the rewilding movement—and why it divides farmers * 🚜 The financial realities of farming (and why ideology doesn’t pay the bills) * 🐑 The impact of predators, policy, and “perfect” environmental narratives * 💸 Subsidies, carbon credits, and whether sustainability is being driven by money or morals * 🌍 Why food security might be closer to crisis than we think * 👩‍🌾 The social side of farming life—from relationships to rural identity Expect strong opinions, candid storytelling, and a no-nonsense look at the balance between nature, food production, and survival. Because behind every headline about rewilding… there are real farmers, real families, and real consequences. 🎧 If you care about food, the countryside, or the future of farming—this one’s for you. Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.  Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing Whilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.