Spraying Alive

Ep6 In The Cab With Morgan Senior

We join Morgan Senior of M J Senior Agri Contractors for a chat in the cab. Morgan contract sprays for a number of businesses across Somerset and into neighbouring Dorset.   Born into a dairy farming family, when the time came for a career decision, as much as likes cows, Morgan preferred to do his own thing. Following a stint in New Zealand, he returned to Somerset and set up as a contractor.   For Morgan, spraying isn’t so much a job as a hobby. There’s something about being snowed under with work, the buzz that comes from ticking off the acres. A spraying week goes by and you’ve caught up and then come Monday the agronomists have been in touch and it’s time to go again.   Find a niche, stick to it and stay upbeat, would be Morgan’s advice to anyone thinking of starting a career in agriculture. You will face multiple challenges, but you’ve got to keep the positive vibes.   If Morgan had only one day left to go spraying, he would swap the fields of Somerset for the vast fields his friend sprays in Scotland. Who would join him in the buddy seat is a close call between his wife and mate Barney. His wife wins, just!

Ep5 In The Cab With Sean Postlethwaite

Sean Postlethwaite of Ryton Fields Farm joins us for this episode. Situated in Ryton on Dunsmore on the outskirts of Coventry, Sean runs the family business which grows predominantly potatoes along with milling wheat, winter oilseed rape and maize.  Although Sean grew up on a farm - his parents moved to Ryton Fields Farm in 2000, he wasn’t sure that he’d follow in their footsteps. A career as a chef at one point seemed more appealing, that was until, whilst at college, a work experience opportunity at a local farm and farm shop put Sean firmly on the farming track.  We hear Sean’s thoughts on the importance of diversification in farming and how the farming community is like no other sector when it comes to sharing knowledge. Sean also talks about the support the family received from the farming community and beyond, when disaster struck the farm in 2015.  What advice would Sean give to anyone thinking of getting into farming? Without question an optimistic disposition is essential before a single seed has been drilled. Things can change very quickly, a year in farming is never quite predictable.  Away from farming family comes first, but Sean also finds time to follow a few sports, in particular football, rugby union and formula one. His sporting heroes are David Beckham and Lewis Hamilton. Asked what the soundtrack to his life would be, Sean borrows a song from Oasis, which is all about having a plan and then needing to adapt it. Which, just perhaps, may sound very familiar.

Ep4 In The Cab With Peter Wilkinson

We share the cab with Peter Wilkinson of Lodge Farm Contracting. Situated in Hertfordshire, Peter farms 800 acres of arable crops and contract sprays for a number of farms within a 30 mile radius.   Peter’s story in farming began with a phone call. The consequence of dropping out of university was enough to convince Peter to flee the country. His Mother’s displeasure could wait. Whilst making his way around New Zealand, an offer out of the blue to work on his Grandfather’s farm was enough to bring Peter home.   Making the most of this opportunity, Peter threw himself into farming life. Many years later the business would be passed down to him. Being in the right place at the right time also enabled Peter to branch out into the world of contract spraying. For Peter variety is the spice of life, the split between duties on his farm and contracting suits him down to the ground.   If you ask Peter about the state of farming right now, he will tell you that things can only get better. Maintain a positive outlook, keep doing what you’re doing, the only way must be onwards and upwards.   Away from farming Peter enjoys watching Saracens, his local rugby team. Over the last couple of years Peter has swapped his boots for a pair of trainers and runs during the winter months to maintain his fitness. However, one of his most rewarding exercise regimes is a brisk walk with his dog to a country pub, followed by a good pint and decent meal. Bravo!

Ep3 In The Cab With Wayne Rose

We sit next to Wayne Rose, lead sprayer operator at Guiting Manor Farms. Situated in the Cotswolds, the business grows milling wheat, winter and spring barley for malting along with break crops of oilseed rape and hemp for fibre. Stubble turnips are also grown to feed sheep over the winter.   Wayne tells us how as a child he would join his grandfather every weekend, on the farm he managed in the Cotswold village of Mickleton. Fast forward to the time when career decisions needed to be made, without question it was farming for Wayne.   If you ask Wayne what the best advice is he’s ever been given, he’ll tell you he didn’t believe it at the time. Experience has proved Wayne’s grandfather to be right, that you work to live and not live to work.   We hear about Guiting Manor’s award-winning conservation work. Wayne describes the numbers of species that have since thrived as a result of the habitat management introduced by the estate.   Sport has always played a key role in Wayne’s life. A lifelong Wolverhampton Wanders fan, Wayne’s passion for team sports led him to play for local football and cricket teams. He now plays golf.   When it comes to bizarre sights and experiences from within the cab, amongst other things, Wayne recounts the time a glider crash landed in the field right next to him. An event that’s happened not once, but twice!

Ep2 In The Cab With Sam Bagshaw

In this episode we talk to Sam Bagshaw of S C Bagshaw Agricultural Contracting. Based on the Cotswolds / Warwickshire border, Sam splits his time between contract spraying and duties on the family’s mixed farm.   Ever since Sam can remember, he has lived and breathed farming. He talks about growing up on the family farm, joining Young Farmers and his first job as sprayer operator on a Warwickshire farm. Sam also talks about his time in New Zealand working for a contracting business.     Sam discusses his decision to set up a contract spraying business. How, as a young operator looking for work, he did his homework before throwing his hat into the ring and having a go. As Sam says, you can do everything right, but you still need that little bit of luck now and again.   As far as Sam is concerned, farming is not a career, it’s more a way of life. It’s important to strike the right balance of time in and out of farming, something Sam reflects on now that he has become a father for the first time.   Apart from spending time with his family, Sam tells us about his rugby playing days and watching Northampton Saints. He also likes to shoot clays and game. During the season Sam helps as a loader on shoots at a local estate. We hear about the man who after spending a day shooting, hopped on a plane to see his rather famous girlfriend, before returning for the next days shoot.