Welcome back to Grow the Future. This week for our 20th episode, we're joined by Partnership & Value Chain Manager Mark Tucker to talk all things Crop Nutrition Planning. Our conversation kicks off with a look back at the 2025 Harvest and a candid assessment of current drilling conditions. Mark then guides us through the vital role of foliar applications and crop analysis, providing his top recommendations for YaraVita products to use this season. Tune in to learn how to expertly prioritize your low-biomass crops for maximum yield recovery.

Join us for the nineteenth episode of the Grow the Future podcast, where we delve into the topic of Yara's Lower Carbon Fertilisers with Conor Quinlun, Area Manager. This comprehensive discussion will summarize the contrast between green and blue ammonia, detail the response from food manufacturers and retailers, and examine how agriculture is utilizing new technologies to reduce its carbon footprint and capitalize on future industry potential.

In the eighteenth episode of the Grow the Future podcast, we'll be discussing Autumn Foliar Nutrition with Natalie Wood, the YaraVita and Biologicals Manager. The conversation will begin with a summary of the current season and a review of plans with farmers, particularly those related to Oilseed Rape. We will then explore key recommendations, including the importance of soil analysis, and discuss specific product recommendations such as YaraVita MagPhos K, CropBoost, and Brassitrel Pro. The episode will conclude with essential advice on how investing in autumn nutrition can significantly impact overall crop yield.

The seventeenth episode of 2025 features a conversation between host Ken Rundle and Crop Nutrition Agronomist Philip Cosgrave. Their discussion centers on late-season grazing, kicking off with an overview of grass growth across the UK and Ireland and why farmers need to plan their forage budget for the winter. Philip also shares his expertise regarding nitrogen applications including specific deadlines, offers a look at the latest on clover, and explores the potential of maize crops. 

In this sixteenth episode of 2025, we welcome new contributor Joe Kidd who is the YaraVita Project Manager to discuss the new production plant. Joe's here to give us the inside scoop on the new YaraVita Production Plant, set to open next year. The conversation starts with why the company decided to move from its longtime Pocklington site to the new location in Howden. Joe also dives into the current project timelines, the challenges they're facing, and how they're navigating it all. 

Joe will also take us on a journey through his career at Yara, from his start as an apprentice all the way to helping design this brand new plant. Finally, we'll get a glimpse into the future, with a look at what's in store for both the old Pocklington site and the new Howden facility as we head into 2026.

In this fifteenth episode of 2025, we welcome Mark Tucker, Partnership and Value Chain Manager, to discuss the critical importance of soil testing. The conversation will cover the initial steps for farmers in assessing their fields through soil sampling, an analysis of current phosphorus and potassium levels nationwide, and a look at the evolution of modern farming systems. Mark will also detail the comprehensive analytical services provided by Yara, including supplementary services such as leaf analysis and an overview for farmers to prioritize soil sampling.

In the fourteenth episode of 2025, Ken Rundle chats with Yara UK's Value Chain Partnership Account Manager Gareth Flockhart about sustainability in farming, driven by strategic partnerships. They dive into current projects focused on cutting food chain emissions, share the latest results from year one's data on the reduction of Carbon Footprint for Pepisco in the UK, and discuss what's next for farmers, including useful tools for data collection like soil sampling. Plus, current updates on blue nitrogen and why adapting to change will be crucial for the future.

In the thirteenth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara’s Area Manager based in Ireland John Hegarty regarding the foliar fertiliser product Croplift Pro. The discussion starts with an overview of foliar fertilisers, the nutrients within the product, recommended crops including the use on grassland and Yara’s future investments regarding the new global production plant for specialty crop nutrition products and biostimulants.

In the twelfth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara’s Grassland Specialist Philip Cosgrave regarding the current mid-season. The conversation starts with Philip giving an overview of grass growth and quality, advice on nutrition for grass over the next few months including Yara product recommendations, farmers reviewing current nutrient plans, the growth of clover compared to last year and recommendations for farmers regarding silage and paddocks. 

In the eleventh podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara’s YaraVita and Biologicals Product Manager Natalie Wood regarding planning to purchase fertiliser next year. Within this discussion Natalie gives an overview on some of the common mistakes when it comes to ordering fertiliser, how Sulphur is important for crop growth, product recommendations including YaraBela Axan and YaraMila Extragrass, additional options including liquid fertilisers, the importance of efficiency to get the most out of all the crops and recommendations for farmers when it comes to purchasing fertiliser for the new year.

In the tenth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Yara Crop Nutrition Business Manager for South West England Nigel Hester regarding  YaraVera Amidas. In this discussion Nigel gives an overview of the product, the changes regarding urea-based fertilisers in England for farmers, the importance of sulphur, soil analysis and other recommendations for the season. 

In the eighth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Crop Nutrition Agronomist Joe Blanche regarding Yara’s Crop Nutrition Hubs across the UK and Ireland. In this discussion Joe gives an overview about the current hubs, current challenges, topics which are covered at the hubs including, how farmers can attend, and the partners Yara are collaborating with at each hub. 

In the seventh podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Grassland Agronomist for Yara UK and Ireland Philip Cosgrave regarding Grass Rotations. In this discussion Philip gives an overview on the current grass growth rates, the importance within your plan for grass growth, how soil analysis can help farmers to know if any nutrients are low and recommendations for the season regarding managing grass. 

In the sixth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to the Director of Biostimulants for Yara Antonis Angeletakis regarding the YaraAmplix range. In this discussion Antonis gives an overview of Biostimulants including the history, the role of Biostimulants can provide to farmers, the yield potential and advantages by including Biostimulants within your crop programme. 

In the sixth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Head of Commercial Partnerships for Ireland Eva Ross. In this special podcast episode, the discussion starts with Eva giving an update on the current market, Government Legislations in Ireland, the Importance of Sulphur, Product Recommendations and Tools which are available to Farmers. 

In the fifth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle speaks to Agronomy Operations Manager Natalie Wood about Yara’s free mobile application Atfarm. In this discussion Natalie goes into detail about Atfarm, some of the features such as the biomass maps, variable rate maps and using the N-Tester with the application, the latest developments relating to Atfarm including the collaboration with John Deere, Growth estimation feature and how Atfarm can increase nitrogen use efficiency. 

In the fourth podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle has a discussion with Crop Nutrition Services Account Manager Sarah Walby regarding Liquid Fertilisers. The conversation starts with a background into Sarah’s career and education, the advantages of liquid fertilisers including precision and information on Yara’s liquid fertilisers, advice available to the farmer and the importance of Soil Testing. 

In the third podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle has a discussion with Grassland Specialist Philip Cosgrave regarding Early Grazing N Applications. The conversation starts with an overview of the current weather conditions, the importance of farmers getting off to a good start and growing quality grass, recommended N application rates and other nutrient sources including slurry and how to prepare for the forthcoming season.

In our second podcast episode of 2025, Ken Rundle is joined by Crop Nutrition Agronomist Natalie Wood in which they talk about First N Applications. The discussion starts with why first applications are important, fertiliser recommendations, overview of recent trials, variety of tools available such as soil analysis and key recommendations for the forthcoming season.  

For the final episode of the Grow the Future podcast for the year, presenter Ken Rundle has a discussion with Grassland Specialist Philip Cosgrave. The conversation starts with an overview regarding the challenges for Grassland farmers within the season, update on the current trials taking place and recommendations for farmers during the winter season including a nutrient management plan and reviewing grass growth over the year.

In the latest Grow the Future episode of 2024 presenter Ken Rundle has a conversation with Trainee Agronomist Joe Blanche on the new Crop Nutrition hubs. The discussion starts with Joe’s transition from working in the QC labs to the Agronomy team, some feedback from farmers regarding the current season, an overview of Yara’s Crop Nutrition hubs including the success at the site in Yorkshire, the importance of building data for the UK and how farmers can stay updated with events for the hubs in the future.  

In the twentieth episode of 2024 presenter Ken Rundle discusses the new YaraAmplix Biostimulants portfolio with Head of Crop Nutrition Agronomy for UK and Ireland Chris Harrold. The conversation starts with a background into the new branding, how biostimulants are becoming more essential with crops to address lost yield potential, update on the current UK based trials this year and how Yara are continuing to develop the Biostimulant range for the future. 

In the nineteenth episode of 2024 presenter Ken Rundle has a discussion with Crop Nutrition Agronomist for Yara UK and Ireland Natalie Wood regarding Crop Nutrition Planning. The conversation starts with an overview of the current season over the last 12 months for Arable farmers, damage of soils from previous flooding conditions and recommendations including soil sampling and the main reasons why farmers should start to think about Crop Nutrition Planning with Yara’s Atfarm application and the features available. 

In the eighteenth episode of 2024 presenter Ken Rundle has a talk with Crop Nutrition Agronomist Ireland lead Philip Cosgrave regarding late season grazing. The conversation looks into the recovery of grass growth, challenges within the different sectors including dairy and beef farmers, the importance of a forage budget for farmers, fertiliser recommendations for the month and a update on Clover.

In the seventeenth episode of 2024 presenter Ken Rundle has a discussion with Head of Value Chain Partnerships Dale Turner regarding Sustainability within the value chain. The conversation starts discussing business models and current challenges companies are facing, new partnerships with PepsiCo and Simpsons Malt and how Yara can provide the solution for low-carbon fertilisers.