91. Groundswell - Stuart Oates: No diesel, no problem?

Can sunrise yoga cure a hangover? What new technologies are needed to remove fossil fuels from farming? And has Ray really been replaced by Brash Ag's number one fan, Kieran Walsh? This week Kit and Ray head to the Sustainable Food Trust Podcast Tent at Groundswell Festival 2026, where they were kindly invited by Stuart Oates to record a live episode, generously supported by the Rothschild Foundation. The pair begin by reflecting on their time at Groundswell, discussing how the event compares with more traditional agricultural shows and sharing some of the innovations that caught their attention before sitting down with Stuart Oates to explore one of farming's biggest long-term challenges: achieving fossil-free farming. Drawing on his experience as a farmer and his Stuart Oates scholarship, Stuart examines where fossil fuels are still deeply embedded across agriculture—from diesel and fertiliser to plastics and the wider supply chain. Together they discuss where the biggest opportunities lie, the trade-offs involved, and how engineers, automation, electrification and emerging technologies could help farmers reduce their reliance on fossil-based resources while maintaining productive, profitable businesses. #BrashAg #Groundswell #Groundswell2026 #FossilFreeFarming #AgriculturalEngineering #AgriTech #RegenerativeAgriculture #FarmInnovation #Engineering #NuffieldScholar #NetZero #SustainableFarming #Automation #FutureFarming #Podcast