Oxford Farming Conference Emerging Leaders Podcast

Neil Quinlan's grandfather was a tenant dairy farmer, and Neil studied agriculture at college. However, he spent his 20s in the construction industry, always maintaining a strong interest in farming. At the age of 30 Neil thought “if I don’t return to agriculture I never will”. Seven years on an Neil now runs his own farm business outside Chester and contract farms his in-laws farm, rearing dairy heifers as well as raising dairy beef cross calves. He is also converting an outbuilding to accommodate guests.    

Suffolk based agronomist and arable farmers daughter Laura Buckingham talks about her passion for agriculture, farming stereotypes and the gender balance. In this action packed podcast she also talks about working with people to build relationships, opportunities in agriculture, how to attract young people to the industry, LEAF Open Farm Sunday and the advancement of technology and innovation.

Ahead of National Farm Safety week (16 – 20 July 2018), we hear from Warwickshire farmer, contractor, farm safety campaigner and OFC Emerging Leader James Chapman. He openly talks about the devasting farm accident in 2005 that changed his life both physically and mentally, and following his Nuffield Scholarship whether he feels farm safety is improving within the UK. We also learn about his farming background, decision to leave school at an early age, setting up on his own at the young age of 22 and his journey to National Chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.

In the first podcast we meet Northampton arable farmer and Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) Director Andrew Pitts. We find out more about his business, leadership in agriculture, the view from Defra following a special OFC event as his farm, issues facing the industry, what more we can do to improve our businesses and plans for the 2018 OFC Emerging Leaders programme.