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Welcome back to Down in Dorset, a special series within the Second Nature podcast. I’m your host, Lizzie McLaughlin, and today we are joined by my co-host and local farming expert, Tim, for a deep dive into one of West Dorset’s most iconic industries: Dairy Farming.

The sun is finally shining over the rolling hills, the cows are out on grass, and while the winter slog is over, "farm busy" has taken on a whole new meaning. Before we head into the milking parlour, we take a moment to address some listener feedback regarding water abstraction and sewage in our chalk streams- reminding us all why transparency in our countryside is so vital.

In This Episode:

We are incredibly lucky to be joined by two powerhouse local farmers who represent the past, present, and future of Dorset agriculture:

• James Bowditch: A fourth-generation dairy farmer at Bowden Farm, bringing over a century of family history and a "high-input, high-output" conventional perspective.
• Tom Gregory: A first-generation success story running both organic and conventional herds near Forde Abbey.

What We Dig Into:

• Organic vs. Conventional: What does it actually mean? Tom and James break down the "Holy Grail" of organic farming versus the efficiency of conventional systems, discussing everything from antibiotic usage to the sheer acreage required to make it work.
• The Vanishing Dairy Farm: Tim and our guests reflect on the staggering contraction of the industry. We explore how we went from 25 dairy farms in a single river catchment down to just six, and what that means for the "fabric" of our local communities.
• The Supermarket Struggle: We pull back the curtain on the "Loss Leader"-why your four-pint bottle of milk is so cheap and how the shift from the Milk Marketing Board to retailer control has changed the game for farmers.
• Global Cheddar & Local Pride: From the export power of Barber's Cheese to the international popularity of Dorset cheddar in Costco, we discuss how West Dorset feeds the world.
• Health & Raw Milk: Is the secret to a hardy immune system found in the tank? We discuss the nutritional differences between pasteurised and raw milk and reminisce about the days of fighting for the cream on the doorstep.

Stay tuned to hear James’s secret for escaping hay fever (it involves a boat and lobsters!) and Tom’s recommendation for the ultimate "Dorset" experience: the International Nettle Eating Competition.

Supporting Nature Recovery: A huge thank you to Nature Recovery Dorset for supporting this series and helping us tell the stories of the people who work this land.

Join the Conversation: Do you have a question for Tim or me? We want to hear from you! You can send us a message directly through the link in the show notes.

"96% of the population still drinks cow's milk... there are more households with milk in the fridge than toilet roll by the toilet!"

Listen now to hear the "real" story of Dorset dairy.

This podcast mini-series has been produced with help from Nature Recovery Dorset, a Dorset Council led initiative helping communities, landowners and organisations work together to restore nature across Dorset. Any views or opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and should not be taken as representing Dorset Council.

Website: www.second-nature.co.uk

Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk

Social media: @second_natureuk

Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

Send Lizzie a message!

Hello and welcome back! I have a very special episode for you today—one that has been on my podcasting bucket list since the very beginning. I finally headed to Diddly Squat Farm to sit down with the team everyone knows and loves: Jeremy Clarkson, Kaleb Cooper, and Charlie Ireland.

With the massive Cereals event coming to the Cotswolds this year, I wanted to find out what it’s really like for Jeremy to play "host farmer" for 25,000 visitors. From digging trenches to study root structures to how the event caters to both new and experienced farmers, this conversation was exactly as lively, argumentative, and insightful as you’d expect!

On the menu today:

• The "Hobby Farming" Debate: Kaleb and Jeremy go head-to-head on the latest additions to the farm. Are two donkeys, a handful of pigs, and a two-acre herb garden a genius diversification move or just "hobby farming"? 🥕🐖
• Learning on the Job: Jeremy shares why every day is still a learning day for him—including the "math" of oilseed rape and his new-found appreciation for soil health.
• The Arable Reality: Charlie gives us a candid look at the challenges facing the industry over the next 12 months, from rising fuel costs to the volatility of the wheat markets.
• The Next Generation: We discuss why the "Clarkson effect" is so important for first-generation farmers. As someone who joined the industry from a non-farming background myself, I loved hearing the team's advice for anyone looking to make their mark in agriculture.

Exploring the Plots

After catching up with the team, I took a wander through the crop plots to chat with the experts on the ground. I caught up with Andrew Creasy from RAGT to talk about the future of wheat varieties and Lee Gilbert from Fowler & Gilbert, who shares his amazing journey from car mechanic to one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of agricultural buildings. 🏗️🌾

I also sat down with Sandy Kilpatrick to talk about the power of social media.

Whether you’re a lifelong farmer or just love a bit of Diddly Squat drama, grab a cuppa and join us for a proper look at life on the farm. The new episode is waiting for you now! ☕️🎧

Quick Links:

• Farm Fest Tickets: Use code LIZZIE for a discount!
• Follow the journey: Check out the videos from my day at Diddly Squat on Instagram @LizzyMuddyHeelsMac.

Website: www.second-nature.co.uk

Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk

Social media: @second_natureuk

Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac