OM makes presenting debut on BBC farming show

October 14, 2015

harvest1Photograph sourced from BBC website.

A passionate dairy farmer and former Monmouth School boarder is making his presenting debut on television this week.

James Manning, who left Monmouth in 2006, is working alongside Gregg Wallace and Philippa Forrester on BBC Two series, Harvest 2015.

They will be crossing the country over three episodes to show how innovation has changed the face of agriculture.

Newcomer James, who was Head of House, a keen rugby player and musician at the School, brings a fresh perspective to the debate around current farming practice.

Tonight’s instalment, which airs at 8pm, will see the team meet top farmers in the North as they battle to bring in the harvest.

They will be visiting farms that produce world class crops and speaking to innovative and pioneering farmers to discover if their hard work has resulted in a successful yield.

In this evening’s show, James, 28, visits Robert Craig, a Cumbrian dairy farmer who believes that meticulous attention to the growth of his rye grass can yield premium quality milk.

Watch him on BBC Two at 8pm, or catch up on BBC iPlayer.

The series concludes tomorrow evening at 8pm.

You can also follow James on Twitter, @james_d_manning