News

Robert Jordan is proud his family continues to farm together and support three generations on Dartmoor, despite its harsh climate and the growing pressures on livestock farming.

For the Tucker family at Mount Folly Farm, farming has always been about evolving, adapting and creating opportunities for the next generation. Near Bigbury in South Devon, the multi-generational family business has grown into a diverse organic enterprise, combining vegetables, livestock, camping and, most recently, a new dairy venture led by the youngest generation.

A year ago, the Branton family was crowned Best Family Farm at the Devon Farm Business Awards, a proud moment recognising their hard work, collaboration and forward-thinking approach. Organised by the Addington Fund, the awards are a highlight in Devon’s farming calendar, celebrating excellence and shining a spotlight on inspiring farm businesses across the county. With entries now open for this year’s awards, farms from across Devon are being encouraged to put themselves forward.

Farming is often described as one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, building something that can last for generations brings real pride and purpose. But for many farmers, it can also be lonely, pressurised and mentally exhausting. DPJ Foundation founder Emma O’Sullivan and Bude farmer James Warwick share their experiences on Farming Focus™ with advice on how to find support.

With a passion for showing young people behind the farm gate, Farmer Time creator Tom Martin is pioneering a new form of farm education, while FWAG South West Education Officer Louise Wallace is inspiring and educating to help children understand and protect. They encourage other farmers to do the same.

When a tornado struck Trevornick Holiday Park, it left a trail of destruction few could imagine. For Park Manager Adrian Tribe, who has dedicated more than 30 years to the family-run site, the impact was deeply personal. 

Cornwall Farm Business Awards 2025 finalist Jack Marchant hopes to show other potential first-generation farmers you can succeed. But he says it needs the right mindset, hard work and sticking to your guns.

Cornwall Farm Business Awards 2025 Rising Star Finalist Hope Pascoe has farming in her blood and is striving to share her passion for the industry through her retail enterprise.

Biosecurity can often feel like a complicated subject, but at its heart it comes down to understanding risk and building good habits. In this episode of Farming Focus™, host Peter Green is joined by Synergy Farm Health vet Esme Moffett and Devon sheep farmer Peter Delbridge to discuss the everyday steps farmers can take to reduce disease risk and protect livestock health.

Succession planning has long been part of farming life, but recent changes to agricultural property relief have brought it firmly into focus. Podcast host Peter Green is joined on Farming Focus™ by Porter Dodson solicitor Tom Mottram and Devon farmer Jilly Greed to explore how families can prepare and why acting sooner rather than later can make all the difference. 

In this episode of Farming Focus™, host Peter Green explores the growing importance of natural capital and what it means for farm businesses navigating a changing policy and market landscape. Recorded shortly after the release of DEFRA’s Land Use Framework, the discussion brings together AHDB’s Dr Laura Underdown and North Cornwall farmer Jonathan Chapman to unpack both the theory and the practical on-farm realities. 

Rising costs have made stored fuel more appealing to opportunistic thieves as well as organised criminals. The isolated location, valuable machinery and on-site fuel storage of farm businesses make them an attractive target.

Farming in the South West is facing rapid change, with weather patterns becoming harder to predict. In this episode of Farming Focus™, host Peter Green speaks with Professor Pete Falloon from the Met Office and David Thomas of Riviera Produce about how farms can strengthen operational resilience and respond to the impacts of climate change.

As slurry spreading and spring fieldwork get underway, farm trailer attachments quickly become part of everyday life. Risk Management Leader Dom Jones shares practical advice to help keep things running safely, with a focus on the small checks and decisions able to make a big difference during busy periods.

Milk price volatility has returned to the dairy sector with force, leaving many farmers questioning how best to respond. In this episode of Farming Focus™, host Peter Green is joined by dairy market analyst Chris Walkland and Devon farmers Christopher and George Courtier to explore what is driving recent price movements and how businesses can adapt to the uncertainty. 

Farmers play an important role in maintaining safe public access to the countryside while also protecting their livestock. Taking a proactive approach to managing Public Rights of Way continues to reduce the likelihood of incidents but new legislation introduced in March 2026 gives farmers and their animals greater protection. 

Holly Sampson has been named Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year, recognising her passion and commitment to building a future in farming.

Cornish Mutual has announced the latest recipients of its Young Farmer Bursaries, recognising six agriculture students from across the South West for their enthusiasm for farming and commitment to shaping the future of the industry. Now in its fifth year, the bursary programme provides financial support to students studying agriculture-based courses, helping them gain new experiences, develop essential skills and take the next steps towards their future careers in farming. The bursaries were judged by a panel including Cornish Mutual Chief Executive Officer Peter Beaumont, who said: “The Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries celebrate the talented young people who are the future of our industry. Supporting students who are committed to developing their skills and helping agriculture evolve is essential.”

Storm Goretti was a timely reminder we are seeing more extreme weather these days – even in the South West where we’ve often been protected from the worst conditions. Here at Cornish Mutual, we received the equivalent of two weeks’ worth of claims calls in just two days, with most coming from the worst-affected areas of West Cornwall. And we know it won’t be the last so we urge everyone to be prepared. Here’s our advice for reducing your risk of damage, what to do if you are making a claim and answers to some of your most common questions.

The final episode of each Farming Focus™ series is an opportunity to look back at the rich mixture of opinions and insights offered by guests, and series five is no exception. Podcast host Peter Green is joined by strategic dairy consultant Becki Reay to discuss five of the most recent episodes.

When a tornado struck Trevornick Holiday Park, it left a trail of destruction few could imagine. For Park Manager Adrian Tribe, who has dedicated more than 30 years to the family-run site, the impact was deeply personal. 

Bicton College student Tia Whitrow has been named Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year. As a prize for this prestigious award, Tia will receive funding to attend a leading agricultural event of her choosing.

Enterprise stacking is a form of farm diversification with integration and sustainability at its heart. Farmers Tim May and Dave Oates told the Farming Focus™ podcast how they’re stacking enterprises on their farms to build business resilience.

Having grown up on a dairy farm and worked in several other farming businesses, it wasn’t until Andrew Sincock moved into the commercial world, he began to appreciate the manure he’d been surrounded by in his former life. He shares what he’s learnt on Farming Focus™. “My interest in organic manures started really when I joined Agriton. Of all the products they supplied, one really caught my eye and stood out as being very different, very interesting, very simple,” explained Andrew.