Straight-talking farming news, views and current affairs
Farming is evolving fast. Policy shifts, climate challenges, market pressures, and public perception are colliding – and farmers need honest, intelligent conversations to stay ahead.
Meet the Farmers: The Big Debate brings you just that: unfiltered discussion on the big topics shaping agriculture in the UK and beyond.
Every fortnight, hosts Ally Hunter Blair an arable farmer from Herefordshire, and Sophie Gregory a dairy farmer from Dorset, tackle the critical issues facing food and farming today. Our mission is simple: to inform, inspire, and entertain progressive, forward-thinking farmers who want to understand the bigger picture. But you definitely don’t need to be a farmer to get something from this show!
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Supporting farmers is nothing new at Virgin Money. We’ve worked with UK farmers for generations, and one thing has stayed the same – farming is built on resilience and innovation.
We’re proud to support Meet the Farmers: The Big Debate, a podcast that brings real, balanced conversations to UK agriculture. Ally and Sophie look at what’s possible by sharing ideas, celebrating progress and exploring new opportunities for farming’s future.
The series focuses on farming and the people behind it. It brings together voices from across the sector to look at what’s working, and how businesses can adapt and grow through change.
Farming is busy and time is short. There isn’t always space to follow every headline or news story. This podcast cuts through the noise, offering practical insight and real stories that fit around day-to-day life.
By sponsoring Meet the Farmers: The Big Debate, Virgin Money continues its long‑term commitment to UK agriculture. Our UK‑wide team of Agricultural Managers works closely with farming businesses to provide tailored financial support, helping customers plan for the future, with confidence.
To find out more visit: https://uk.virginmoney.com/business/agriculture/
Virgin Money is a trading name of Nationwide Building Society.
At TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods, we’re proud to support The Big Debate, which is bringing fresh perspectives to the most important conversations in British farming. The diversity of voices is challenging assumptions, exploring new ideas, and shaping a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.
Much like The Big Debate, our mission is to empower farmers and agri-businesses with the data-driven insights and technology they need to thrive. From improving food supply chain transparency to helping producers make smarter, more sustainable decisions, TELUS Agriculture and Consumer Goods is committed to advancing innovation across the industry, while keeping people, animals and the planet at the heart of it all.
Through open dialogue and collaboration, we can build a brighter future for UK agriculture, one conversation at a time.
To discover more visit telus.com/bigdebate
Law firm Birketts is proud to support The Big Debate as a sponsor, recognising the importance of open, informed discussion in UK agriculture. Its agriculture team is a top-tier legal group with more than 50 specialists across six UK offices, offering full-service support to farmers, landowners and agri-businesses. The team covers everything from tenancies and planning to employment, diversification, succession and private client matters. With many lawyers from farming backgrounds and as Fellows of the Agricultural Law Association, they have a deep sector knowledge as well as practical insight to help protect and grow agricultural businesses.
“At Birketts, we’ve long championed the value of clear communication and strategic thinking in farming,” says Chris Coupland, Partner and Head of Agriculture at Birketts. “This podcast offers a vital platform for farmers and rural businesses to engage with the issues that matter most, whether that’s policy, sustainability, or succession planning. We’re delighted to be part of an initiative that encourages constructive dialogue and helps the sector navigate change with confidence and clarity.”
You can find out more about Birketts and our leading agriculture team by heading to our website: birketts.co.uk/sector/agriculture/
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