News

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.

As farmers prepare for the new agricultural inheritance tax rules, PKF Francis Clark’s head of agriculture Brian Harvey and Devon farmer Andrew Branton cover the theory and practice of what it all means for family farms on Farming Focus™. 

In a Farming Focus™ episode full of inspiration for farmers and other business owners alike, Pasture for Life’s Nikki Yoxall and Cornish dairy farmer Andrew Brewer joined podcast host Peter Green to reveal how they find balance in their farming lives.

In this Farming Focus™ series opener, podcast host Peter Green explores the potential of a mentor and asks if mentoring someone else can be equally beneficial. He’s joined by TwoCan Mentor founder Helen Wyman and Dorset dairy farmer George Holmes to find out more.

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. 

Agriculture continues to be a high-risk industry, with the Health and Safety Executive consistently reporting high levels of fatalities and serious injuries. In Farming Focus™, Peter Green speaks with farmer and Tilly Pass founder Jane Gurney and Cornish Mutual’s Risk Management Leader Dom Jones about why farm safety statistics remain stubbornly high, offering realistic ways farmers might reduce the risks.

The Government has announced its revised Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). We look at what it offers farmers in 2026, with advice from Terrafarmer agribusiness consultant Jack Pierce on how to prepare for its opening in June.

This episode of Farming Focus™ looks at the shifting landscape of farm support and how farm businesses can adapt amid uncertainty.  Jeremy Moody, from the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), and Nick Dymond of St Piran’s Pork in Cornwall join podcast host Peter Green to examine recent policy signals from DEFRA and what they may mean for schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), Countryside Stewardship and Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL).

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.

The Government’s decision to make changes to farm inheritance tax (IHT) law has caused significant unease across the farming community. This has now been compounded by its surprise announcement of a sudden pause to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, which took immediate effect. At Cornish Mutual, we wish to express our unwavering support for farmers during these uncertain and challenging times.