NFU: Shed Talks

Welcome to Shed Talks

In this episode, hosts Josh Redford and Naomi Williams‑Roberts explore one of the biggest questions facing young people in farming today: is it better to stay on the farm after leaving school, or head away to gain new skills before returning?

To unpack the realities behind the decision, they speak to two young farmers who took very different routes. John Fairlie left his family farm in Angus to work in finance before returning with new skills and a fresh perspective. Maria Warne Elston, a fifth‑generation farmer from Cornwall, stayed closely involved in her family’s beef, sheep and arable farm, briefly working as a veterinary nurse before returning full‑time and sharing her farming life online.

Together, they discuss the benefits and drawbacks of staying or leaving, the pressures young farmers face when making the choice, and how to work out what’s right for you and your business.

In Westminster, the team provide an update on the key political moments shaping the months ahead, including preparations for the upcoming NFU Conference, speculations about the King’s Speech, and the implications of the Spring Forecast for farm businesses.

To close the episode, the hosts turn to Mind Your Head Week (9–13 February) and highlight NFU member Sam Stables, who is preparing to walk 142 miles in five days to raise awareness of mental health in farming. Starting at Ross‑on‑Wye market and finishing at the Farmers Club in London, Sam’s route will take him through Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, staying with farmers along the way.

Sam founded the charity We Are Farming Minds with his wife Emily after their own mental health struggles. The charity now supports farmers across the UK and has the Prince of Wales as its patron, building on the Mental Health Strategy launched by the Duchy of Cornwall in 2023. Sam shares why this walk matters, what he hopes to highlight during Mind Your Head Week, and why supporting the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs is more important than ever. To follow Sam's journey or to find out how to get involved, head to - https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/sam-stables-mission

This episode comes with a trigger warning as it discusses some sensitive topics, if you are struggling and need additional support, please reach out:

Yellow Wellies - https://www.yellowwellies.org/
We Are Farming Minds - https://www.wearefarmingminds.co.uk/

Key themes and takeaways
There is no single “right” path — staying or leaving depends on each farm’s circumstances
Leaving the farm can bring valuable skills, confidence and perspective
Staying on the farm can build deep experience, continuity and family resilience
Young farmers face financial, emotional and practical pressures when making career decisions
Social media is reshaping how young farmers share their stories and influence the industry
Mental health support remains vital across rural communities
Sam Stables’ 142‑mile walk highlights the importance of Mind Your Head
Week and the work of We Are Farming Minds
NFYFC plays a crucial role in supporting, developing and connecting young people in agriculture
Westminster is gearing up for a pivotal period, with NFU Conference, the King’s Speech and the Spring Forecast all shaping the policy landscape

Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Shed Talks

In this episode of Shed Talks, hosts Luke Cox and Bizza Walters look ahead to one of the most intense periods in the farming calendar as the industry enters what many call the calm before the lambs.

With early lambing already under way in parts of the country and preparations ramping up elsewhere, the episode focuses on how sheep farmers are planning, adapting and staying resilient as winter edges towards spring. The hosts also speak with Northumberland sheep farmer Rich Oglesby, who has steadily built a thriving enterprise from scratch alongside his wife, Jen. Working under a contract farming agreement, Rich manages around 1,440 Lleyn ewes and 800 ewe lambs, and brings a business‑minded approach to every part of his system.

Rich reflects on what is going through farmers’ minds as lambing approaches, how he handles the practical pressures of managing a large flock in tough northern weather, and the value of business training and peer networks in shaping his decisions. He also shares advice for young entrants starting out with limited resources.

In Westminster, the team provide the final round‑up of the NFU’s family farm tax campaign. They discuss the latest developments from the Liaison Committee, what had been planned for the Finance Bill, and look ahead to what challenges we may face in 2026.

To close the episode, we head to Scotland for a Global Ag View with Ben Best of Dalscone Farm, who has been caring for Fiona, the ewe once known as Britain’s loneliest sheep. After being rescued from the base of a cliff near Inverness following a public campaign that drew more than 55,000 signatures, Fiona has spent the past two years recovering, socialising and settling into life among Dalscone’s 400 breeding sheep.

Ben shares how Fiona adapted after her rescue, how the farm handled the huge wave of public attention, and why her story has resonated so strongly on social media. With Fiona now expecting twins in February, he talks about preparations for lambing, the work that went into restoring her health, and what her journey has meant for the farm and its followers.

Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your
podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Shed Talks

In this episode of Shed Talks, hosts Jacks Weaver and Mike Greenwood-Wilkins sit down with Bal Padda, a first-generation Punjabi farmer from Worcestershire whose self-funded documentary ‘A Punjabi Farm Innit – A story of strawberries, faith and farming’ has captured imaginations far beyond his own community.

You can watch the trailer for the documentary here

Bal reflects on his father’s journey from the Punjab, often described as India’s breadbasket, to the Vale of Evesham. He explains how their family’s strawberry business became the backdrop for a film that challenges assumptions, celebrates diversity, and shows the power of farmers telling their own stories. Inspired by the workers on his farm, Bal shares how the filmmaking process reshaped his understanding of identity, representation, and modern British farming.

In Westminster, Scott Pepe and Neeve McGinty provide a briefing on two major developments. The Budget vote, where Labour MPs voiced opposition to the family farm tax. The discussion outlines what is next for the #StopTheFamilyFarmTax campaign and why the coming months will be critical for farm business resilience. For more information please head to https://www.nfuonline.com/hot-topics/stop-the-family-farm-tax/

They also cover the livestock worrying bill that has now had its Third Reading in the House of Lords and would give police stronger powers to tackle irresponsible dog owners whose pets attack livestock. For more information please head to: https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/private-members-bill-on-livestock-worrying/

Finally, Joshua Payne (NFU Chief Education Manager) takes us inside NFU Education’s Festive Farming Quest, the biggest Christmas project yet, which has connected more than 82,000 children across 800 schools with British farming. From a live tour of the world’s oldest Christmas pudding factory to lessons on sprouts, camels, sheep, and farm vets.

To watch the Sprout Dance and Festive Farming Quest mentioned in the episode please head to the below links:

Sprout Dance: https://www.youtube.com/live/yPF2bXUeoSQ?si=RnzaLUsrtqUgziwv&t=3673
Festive Farming Quest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw5D5Mz4Lvg&t=5s

Key themes and takeaways:
Personal storytelling can challenge stereotypes and celebrate diversity in British farming
The Punjab to Evesham journey highlights global roots and local resilience
Livestock worrying legislation is close to becoming law, strengthening rural security
Budget decisions will shape the future of family farm taxation and viability
NFU Education’s Festive Farming Quest demonstrates the power of scale, technology, and diverse role models in connecting children with food and farming

Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Shed Talks

In this episode of Shed Talks, hosts Naomi Williams-Roberts and Josh Redford shine a spotlight on rural crime and the resilience of farming families. Naomi speaks with Surrey farmer Sally, who has faced repeated incidents of fly tipping, gates being cut, and even an attempted burglary on her farm. Sally shares the emotional toll of confronting offenders, including one frightening moment with her young daughter in the car.

In Westminster, Olivia Phoenix and Ruairi Hodges provide an update on rural crime policy and the countdown to the Budget. They examine the NFU’s long‑running lobbying on livestock worrying, expected to become law later this year, and outline the priorities on the #StopTheFamilyFarmTax campaign. With activity from Police and Crime Commissioners and the Home Office, the segment highlights how political engagement is shaping the future of rural security and farm business resilience.

We also catch up with Berkshire Farm Girl, Eleanor Gilbert, who is documenting her first US harvest run. Travelling 2,200 miles across multiple states with Paplow Harvesting & Trucking, Eleanor offers an unfiltered look at life on the road: early starts, long convoys of combines, relentless heat, and the sheer scale of American grain production. She reflects on the shocks, challenges and lessons learnt from operating in a high‑pressure, large‑scale system, and what she hopes to bring back to her career in UK agriculture.

Key themes and takeaways:
Rural crime has financial, emotional and welfare impacts on farming families
Security measures and local networks are vital for resilience
NFU lobbying is pushing livestock worrying legislation towards law
Budget decisions will be critical for family farm taxation and viability
Large‑scale US harvest runs reveal the extremes of global agriculture
International experience gives young farmers new skills and perspectives

Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Shed Talks

In this episode, Bizza Walters and Luke Cox tackle one of the most important topics in British agriculture, farm safety. It is a subject often overlooked until something goes wrong, but as this episode shows, the smallest actions can have life-saving consequences.

The main feature focuses on real experiences from farmers who know how quickly everyday situations can turn serious. Callum Lindsay, a hill farmer from the Isle of Arran, shares how a quad bike accident in 2023 left him with severe injuries and a long recovery, and why he is now calling for a culture change around ATV safety. Ed Caudwell, an Oxfordshire farmer, reflects on the workshop accident that nearly cost him his life while working in New Zealand and the vital lessons it taught him about training, preparation and risk awareness.

In the Westminster segment, the External Affairs team bring listeners up to speed on what has been happening in Parliament and on farm. They explain what departmental oral questions are, why they matter and how the NFU works with MPs in the lead-up to them. The team also reflect on the Farming Minister’s recent visit to Derbyshire and how visits like this help ministers see the realities of farming first-hand. With just a month to go until the Budget, they share the latest on NFU lobbying and what they are pushing for to support farm businesses across the country.

To close, the Global Ag View takes us to Hanover in Germany, where the world’s largest agricultural machinery show, Agritechnica, is in full swing. Matt Tilt, editor of Farm Contractor and Large Scale Farmer magazine, joins us from the event to share his insights into the latest machinery trends, innovations and technologies set to influence UK farming.

Key themes and takeaways:
Farm safety is everyone’s responsibility, the smallest actions can save lives
Take 5 To Stay Alive, simple habits can prevent serious accidents
Real-life stories from Callum Lindsay and Ed Caudwell show how quickly situations can change
Building a safety-first culture is vital for the future of farming
The NFU continues to influence policy through parliamentary engagement, ministerial visits and Budget lobbying
Agritechnica showcases how global innovation is shaping the next generation of farm machinery
Behind-the-scenes insights from the world’s biggest agricultural machinery show

Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.