Wilson & Ashley

Put your thoughts into the mix
Before we get onto this week's episode, Charlotte has been creating the most amazing pieces of wool artwork! The two unique pieces will be auctioned off at the upcoming British Farming Awards to raise money for the Farming Community Network. So, if you’re heading to the awards, make sure you’ve got your pennies ready!
Now, onto the SFI debacle. The application window opened suddenly and the funding which helps farmers deliver good environmental outcomes was gone in a matter of hours. Add in the IT issues, helpline problems and farmers who weren’t even aware the window had opened, and it’s fair to say it was a bit of a shambles.
What actually happened, was there ever enough money available in the first place, and what on earth farmers are supposed to do now?
We talk about the first-come, first-served approach to government funding, whether farming should be treated differently to other industries, and why there seems to be so much judgement from people who think farmers should just get on with it without any support.
We touch on the familiar accusation that this Labour Government is anti-farming - is this the case, or is farming being pushed to change in ways that farmers aren’t necessarily happy with? 
The Jury's Out shares a song we are completely OBSESSED with!
A big thank you to our sponsors, Kirkby Tyres and BKT, for supporting the Wilson & Ashley Podcast.
Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/
If you’ve got a story, an opinion, or an idea for an episode… Send us a DM 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
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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.

Put your thoughts into the mix
Following last week’s episode about the Animal Rising farrowing crate protest, this week on The Wilson & Ashley Podcast we’re taking a closer look at factory farming and mega farms.
We start by looking at how Animal Rising defines a “factory farm” — and why their definition is based on the production system and conditions rather than simply the number of animals.
That leads us into the wider debate around large-scale farming in Britain. We look at the growth of larger beef and dairy farms, indoor housing, animal welfare, efficiency and economies of scale.
Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean worse welfare, and we discuss whether larger farms can actually have advantages when it comes to investment in infrastructure, staff, health and nutrition. We also look at the challenges facing smaller family farms and whether scale is becoming an inevitable part of the future of British agriculture.
Plus, The Jury’s Out returns, as one of our listeners from the US reveals what they’re completely over!
Thank you as always to BKT and Kirkby Tyres for supporting the podcast.
Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/
If you’ve got a story, an opinion, or an idea for an episode… Send us a DM 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.

Put your thoughts into the mix
There’s a woman in a farrowing crate in Trafalgar Square — but what exactly is Animal Rising trying to tell us about pig farming?
In this episode of The Wilson & Ashley Podcast, we’re looking at the protest involving Michelle, the Animal Rising activist who put herself inside a farrowing crate as part of their campaign to end factory farming in Britain by 2040.
The campaign centres around Luna, a sow filmed by Animal Rising during a month-long investigation at a pig farm. We look at the footage, the way it is presented, and some of the farming practices highlighted in the video.
But how much context is missing?
We discuss what farrowing crates are, why they are used, the welfare arguments for and against them, and what UK law actually says. We also look at the challenges of moving towards crate-free systems, including cost, infrastructure, labour, piglet mortality and the potential impact on British pork production - thank you to pig farmer Anna Longthorp for her contribution. 
And then there’s Michelle in the crate. Is comparing a human to a sow an effective way of communicating the welfare issue — or does it simply provoke an emotional reaction?
Is the protest presenting a powerful image and what do we really think about farrowing crates. 
Plus, The Jury’s Out returns, with Charlotte revealing what she’s completely over this week.
Thank you as always to BKT and Kirkby Tyres for supporting the podcast.
Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/
If you’ve got a story, an opinion, or an idea for an episode… Send us a DM 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.

Put your thoughts into the mix
Can we restore nature while still producing enough food? And which Derek has the better argument?
In this episode of The Wilson & Ashley Podcast, we’re talking about Derek vs Derek, the new documentary putting two very different visions of the British countryside head-to-head.
We’ve seen the film ahead of its official UK release, so we’re giving you our thoughts after our trip to London!
On one side is Derek Banbury, an intensive dairy farmer who sees food production and caring for the countryside as entirely compatible. On the other is Derek Gow, a former sheep farmer who has moved into rewilding, creating habitat and bringing species such as beavers and wild boar back to his land.
We discuss the film’s central question: can we restore nature and biodiversity while still producing enough food?
Did the trailer give us the wrong impression? Is the film anti-farming, a defence of farmers, or a genuinely balanced look at the debate? We also discuss Britain's nature-depletion narrative, and what we actually see on farmland — from swallows and insects to soils, watercourses and wildlife.
And, most importantly… which Derek was more persuasive?
Plus, The Jury’s Out returns, with Rebecca revealing her latest obsession.
Watch the Derek vs Derek trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeZbO-t3rlA
Thank you as always to BKT and Kirkby Tyres for supporting the podcast.
Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/
If you’ve got a story, an opinion, or an idea for an episode… Send us a DM 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.

Put your thoughts into the mix
M&S is bringing artificial intelligence onto British dairy farms, using cameras and algorithms to monitor the health, behaviour and comfort of cows across all 46 farms in its Milk Pool.
The technology is designed to spot changes earlier and give farmers more detailed information about individual cows — but does more technology automatically mean better animal welfare?
We look at how M&S is using AI, what it could mean for the future of dairy farming, and whether consumers are willing to pay more for higher welfare and new technology. 
Plus, The Jury’s Out, and this week Rebecca has a problem with TikTok’s automatic send button.
Thank you as always, to BKT and Kirkby Tyres.
Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/
If you’ve got a story, an opinion, or an idea for an episode… Send us a DM 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.