Carr's Billington Proud2Farm Podcast

What does it take to build a more productive, efficient herd from the ground up? In this episode, Saskia Fletcher from our Calf & Youngstock Team is joined by Philip Halhead from Norbrek Genetics to explore the powerful relationship between youngstock management and genetic selection. Together, they discuss how the decisions made in an animal's early life can have a lasting impact on performance, health, and profitability, and why the right genetics can help unlock the full potential of your herd.

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the Massey Ferguson Experience Tour, as Dale Shaw from Carr’s Billington and Tim Walters from Massey Ferguson share their insights from the event and tell us about their experience and careers in agricultural machinery. They offer an engaging perspective on the evolving world of Massey Ferguson and the brand’s commitment to reliability, performance, and the importance of building customer loyalty. A must watch for the tractor enthusiasts out there!

In this episode, Karl Pendlebury form AHDB talks about the events that support farmers and the wider supply chain, and explores how British meat is promoted on a global stage. The discussion is joined by Becky Moore from Carr’s Billington, who shares her unique journey through the industry — from owning and rearing stock, to working on the food producer side of the market, and even rearing meat directly for a chef. Together, they offer practical insight, real-world experience and a behind-the-scenes look at how British meat is produced, marketed and championed both at home and worldwide.

Step behind the scenes with us as we shine a spotlight on the incredible women who help drive our business forward. Hear their stories, in their own words and workspaces, as they share what it truly means to be a woman in agriculture today. From candid insights to inspiring journeys, join us in celebrating the vital role women play in shaping our industry and our future.

In this episode, Jimmy Goldie and Alex Law from Carr's Billington dive into the key principles of producing high-quality forage and maximising its feed value. Special guest Freya Webber from Volac provides a fascinating insight into how silage additives work, explaining the science behind fermentation, touching on contamination risks, and covering the role additives play in preserving nutrients. Together, the panel share expert advice on making the most of the forage you have and helping farmers improve efficiency.

We’re joined by Ivan from Carr’s Billington and Lee from Sparex for a brilliant conversation covering their careers and supplier relationships within the machinery parts sector. Jam-packed with stories, Lee covers farming down in the South of the country and his links with the equine sector. Ivan talks about starting his career as a YTS and the opportunities he's had in the industry since. From the nuts and bolts of the parts industry to life on the farm and beyond, this is a light-hearted jump around many subjects in the farming world.

Dr Grace Smith and David Howard sit down with Dairy Vet, Dan Humphries to explore one of the most important — and often misunderstood — aspects of herd management: protein efficiency. Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how dairy cows utilize dietary protein, why efficiency matters for both productivity and sustainability, and what strategies farmers can use to optimize it on-farm.

Proud2Farm takes to the road! Coming to you from Harper Adams University. We sit down with Kate Robinson, the Ruminant Sector Manager, and David Howard from Carr’s Billington, to chat about working together on the Future Farm and the prestigious Gold Cup competition. Kate gives us an insight into how her team run the 494 hectare commercial farm whilst training the future generation of farmers, vets and agricultural specialists.

The Dales Farmer (Tom Carlisle) and Rob Broderick dig into the heart of rural life with a mix of wit, warmth, and down-to-earth insight. We speak to Tom about his journey into the world of social media and his farming life in the Dales. Rob covers innovations in farming machinery and we talk about the pair's journey with their Young Farmers clubs. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or after a light-hearted yet genuine look at the world of modern farming, this is the episode for you🌾🐄

In this episode, Jimmy Goldie and David Howard take a look at the current forage stocks situation across the country. With winter fast approaching, we discuss the outlook for winter forage supplies, explore the challenges farmers are facing, and share expert knowledge on how to manage stocks effectively.

Host Jake McRobert quizzes Stephen Huck and Chris Wright on effective lamb creep feeding. The discussion covers the purpose of creep feeding and outlines key factors for success, including choosing the right high-protein, palatable creep feed and using the right equipment to feed it.

Join us for something a bit different this week as guest host Lynn Candlish talks to Mark Holliday from the Cumbrian sales team about his long and distinguished career in the agricultural industry. We cover off his top tips for young talent starting out in their agricultural careers and his views on the biggest changes in farming over the past 40 years. It is a very endearing insight from a much respected colleague.

Grab a seat on the sofa as Jimmy Goldie returns alongside Jake for another great conversation — this time with special guest Alan King from our Scottish team. We dive into the pressing issue of spring drought (yes, we really did have a dry spell!) and what it means for farmers across the region. With over 40 years of experience in animal health and as a proud fourth-generation expert , Alan brings a wealth of knowledge, insight, and a few stories from the field. Whether you're dealing with dry pastures or just want to hear from one of the most respected voices in the industry, this episode is not to be missed.

Join host Jake McRobert as he chats to Jimmy Goldie and Alex Law on the how important soil quality is in achieving a successful silage crop.