The Cereals Podcast

CEREALS 2026 AT DIDDLY SQUAT FARM - THE BIG PREVIEW!

In this special Cereals 2026 preview episode, kindly sponsored by KWS, Sandy Kirkpatrick is joined by Charlie Ireland of Ceres Rural and Diddly Squat Farm, Kate Cobbold of KWS, Stephen Goodwin of BASE-UK, Eleanor Gilbert (better known as The Berkshire Farm Girl) and Philip Case of Farmers Weekly to discuss the must-see features, hottest topics and biggest talking points ahead of this year's event at Diddly Squat Farm. From crop plots and live demonstrations to agri-tech, succession planning and the future of arable farming, the panel shares what they're most looking forward to at Cereals 2026 and why these conversations matter for the future of the industry. If you're attending Cereals next week, this episode is the perfect way to plan your visit and make sure you don't miss a thing at what promises to be one of the most anticipated Cereals Events yet. With thanks to the sponsor of this episode: KWS Thanks also to Diddly Squat Farm and everyone who contributed. Link to podcast disclaimer - https://www.thecerealsevent.co.uk/podcast-disclaimer

Managing water on farms for a sustainable future

Water and water management is a key topic for the future sustainability of farm businesses and so this episode take water as its focus. Host Sandy Kirkpatrick is joined by Michael Jorden from JRH Water Management, farmers Ed Wombwell and John Hawkins and Mark Taylor from Natural England. What are the options for water use and storage and how might management change in future?  With thanks to the sponsor of this episode: JRH Water.  Thanks also to Diddly Squat Farm and everyone who contributed. Link to podcast disclaimer - https://www.thecerealsevent.co.uk/podcast-disclaimer

Soil, Seeds and Resilience

Building resilient soils and selecting the right seed varieties are the foundations to sustainable and profitable arable farming. But how can you practically improve soil health and crop resilience amid evolving challenges? In the latest Cereals Podcast episode, host Sandy Kirkpatrick is joined by John Vickery, Ben Lowe, and Amy Hardwick from Agrii, alongside James Warne from Soil First Farming. Together, they explore hands-on strategies for improving soil structure, cultivation  options, and making informed decisions on seed choice to drive productivity while sustaining the land for future. They also discuss the concept of resilience from an on-farm perspective, highlighting how you can embrace innovation whilst staying practical and realistic with the outcomes. Whether you aim to optimise soil management, trial new varieties, or refine your processes, this episode offers actionable advice and forward-thinking insights designed to help you adapt and thrive sustainably over the coming seasons. With thanks to the sponsor of this episode: Agrii.   Thanks also to Diddly Squat Farm and everyone who contributed.   Link to podcast disclaimer - https://www.thecerealsevent.co.uk/podcast-disclaimer [https://www.thecerealsevent.co.uk/podcast-disclaimer]

Farming in a volatile world: Preparing your business to survive uncertainty

To build a sustainable farming business, farmers need to tackle market volatility head-on, but how do you navigate these challenges and position your business for long-term success? For the latest Cereals Podcast episode host Sandy Kirkpatrick discusses the topic of volatility with Charlie Ireland of Ceres Rural, farmer George Hurrell alongside Letty Glaister and Alexander Waples from Tees Law. From navigating global pressures to escalating input costs and shifting policies - the panel provides actionable insights on business structuring, succession planning and navigating complex legal changes such as updates to inheritance tax. With thanks to the sponsor of this episode: Tees Law Thanks also to Diddly Squat Farm and everyone who contributed. Link to podcast disclaimer - https://www.thecerealsevent.co.uk/podcast-disclaimer [https://www.thecerealsevent.co.uk/podcast-disclaimer]

Taking a Whole Farm Approach to Farm Management

For the third episode of the official podcast of the Cereals Event host Sandy Kirkpatrick is joined by Georgina Wallis and Will Foyle from Hutchinsons alongside farmers Thomas Todd and Andrew Pitts to discuss how to take a ‘whole farm approach’ to farm management? They cover planning, cost of production, rotations, compliance, risk management and much more.  Also featuring a snippet of our previous conversation with Jeremy Clarkson.  With thanks to the sponsor of this episode: Hutchinsons Thanks also to Diddly Squat Farm and everyone who contributed, including Georgina Wallis (Head of Environmental Services, Hutchinsons), Will Foyle (Head of Farm Business Consultancy, Hutchinsons), Thomas Todd (Barelees Farm, Northumberland) and Andrew Pitts (Moat Farm, Northamptonshire).  Please note this podcast does not constitute advice.  For our podcast disclaimer visit https://www.thecerealsevent.co.uk/podcast-disclaimer [https://www.thecerealsevent.co.uk/podcast-disclaimer]