LEAFcast
LEAFcast is the podcast channel for LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), a charity whose mission is to inspire and enable sustainable farming that is prosperous, enriches the environment and engages local communities. LEAF works with farmers, the food industry, scientists and consumers to inspire and enable sustainable farming. Keep up-to-date with the latest news and updates from the world of LEAF.
LEAFcast
LEAF Digs Deeper S4.Ep8 | Cover Crops & Innovative Sensing Technologies
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
How can collaboration between farmers and researchers drive real change on the ground? In this LEAF Digs Deeper session, we explore how co-designed research is helping to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical farming decisions.
We’re joined by:
- Nick Down – Farm Manager at Yattendon Estate and Head of Sustainability at Velcourt Ltd.
- Dr Alice Mauchline – Associate Professor of Agricultural Ecology and Education at the University of Reading.
Together, they discuss the power of farmer-led innovation and why involving farmers from the very beginning is key to creating research that is relevant, practical, and impactful.
In this session, we cover:
- Why farmers are best placed to identify real-world challenges and shape research priorities.
- The importance of co-designed research for practical, on-farm application.
- How collaboration between farmers, researchers, and stakeholders leads to shared learning and fresh perspectives.
- The balance between scientific rigor and real-world farm constraints.
We also introduce a new ADOPT-funded project involving LEAF, Demonstration Farmers, and an Innovation Centre. This initiative explores how cover crop data can be used to optimise nutrient management and reduce reliance on synthetic nitrogen - while maintaining crop performance.
If you're interested in sustainable farming, applied research, and innovative approaches to agriculture, this session is not to be missed.