In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the future of regenerative agriculture and examine whether it is right for your farm. We have a special interview with American farmer Gabe Brown , described as the 'god father' of regenerative agriculture, as he visits the UK. We discuss the role of government support when it comes to agro-ecology and nature-friendly farming practices. And we look at plans for a not-for-profit National Agency for Smart Data in Agriculture (NASDA) to help farmers mone...
Jul 28, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 264
In this episode, former British Lion Tom Youngs shares his thoughts on farming and rugby. We run the rule on the government’s latest iteration of a national food strategy - and discuss the implications for farmers. NFU Cymru president Aled Jones voices concern about the newly announced Sustainable Farming Scheme for Wales. And we look at the ups and downs of harvest ahead of the market prices. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. ...
Jul 18, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 263
In this episode, as drought is declared in Yorkshire, we look at the impact of the dry weather across the country. Scotland faces a wildfire warning – following a 30,000 acre blaze which saw farmers and game-keepers come together to fight the flames. Tesco's new chief executive Ashwin Prasad gets out on farm – just a week into the job – saying he wants to work in partnership with farmers. Hugh has a problem getting replacement parts for his topper. And a Lincolnshire farmer establishes a 10ha ol...
Jul 11, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 262
In this episode, a former Defra adviser says the government must win back farmers' trust if it is serious about successful agriculture. The government unveils £150m in capital grants for farmers – we look at what the money is likely to fund and how it will work. We find out about new funding opportunities for farmers – thanks to private investment from big corporations. We spend two days at Groundswell 2025, the regenerative agriculture festival, and look at the options for growers and livestock...
Jul 07, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 261
In this episode, we preview the early start to harvest 2025 as the first combines roll into barley crops. One year after the Labour came to power, we ask why farm leaders have gone so quiet on government plans to impose inheritance on farmers. We visit a Fram Farmers trials day in Suffolk – and Hugh goes to his local Cowpie Country Fair. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntasker Contact or fo...
Jun 27, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 260
In this episode, a former NFU combinable crops chairman sats the pace of change at Red Tractor is too slow to win back farmers' confidence. Cross-border bluetongue restrictions on livestock brought from England into Wales threaten to cause havoc, say farm leaders. We've the latest on muck spreading and Defra's Farming Rules For Water. And we visit the Royal Highland Show for a beefy announcement. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broo...
Jun 21, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 259
In this episode, UK farm leaders voice dismay after three major British supermarkets start selling beef from Australia, Uruguay and New Zealand. Is the government's spending review really better than expected when it comes to farming and the environment? We discuss the implications of departmental cuts at Defra – and the impact for growers and livestock producers. We spend two days at the Cereals event – the UK's annual showcase for the combinable crops sector. And we discover why plant breeders...
Jun 12, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 258
In this episode, we look at the likely impact of the government's spending review on UK farming and the environment. We have a sneak preview of this month’s Cereals event – and why reducing carbon emissions isn't as easy as people might think. And why it is so important to get the farming message across on Open Farm Sunday. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntasker Contact or follow Louise (X...
Jun 06, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 257
In this episode, a UK farming couple quit the UK to go farming in France, saying they feel more valued by the French government. Defra declines to comment on reports that the government's Spending Review will slash the budget for nature friendly farming . We've the latest on high-profile movers and shakers in the farming sector, as Assured Food Standards appoints a permanent chairman for Red Tractor. And Madame Tussauds waxworks museum in London prepares to celebrate national sausage roll day. T...
May 30, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 256
In this episode, as senior civil servant Janet Hughes decides to leave Defra, we look at what it means for the Sustainable Farming Incentive. It's a revolving door at the AHDB, with the appointment of a new chair – and the announcement that chief executive Graham Wilkinson is moving on. Scottish livestock leaders say a climate committee report calling for less beef consumption is based on flawed evidence. Why a new deal between London and Brussels could make life easier on your farm. And Louise ...
May 23, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 255
In this episode, MPs say the government should delay plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers – and revise its controversial policy. Defra announces a partial reopening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive for growers and livestock producers in England. US agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins tells Farmers Weekly that poultry and pork are "on the table" to be next for a trade deal between the USA and the UK. And Hugh attends a Defra food strategy meeting. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Pod...
May 16, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 254
In this episode we look at the future of the Sustainable Farming Incentive agri-environment scheme. Natural England head of agriculture Peter Craven tells us the scheme will return – and be better for farming and the environment, albeit with a likely smaller budget. We assess the impact of the UK-US trade deal on the beef and arable sectors – and ask whether it is the shape of things to come? MPs debate the future for Britain's small abattoirs – which are often a lifeline for smaller livestock p...
May 09, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 253
Record-breaking temperatures see crops sweltering in the spring sunshine. A worry or just another challenge for arable growers? UK former home secretary James Cleverly and Save British Farming campaigners say the government must take food security more seriously. As the UK commemorates the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and the end of World War Two, we ask, could we really see the return of rationing? A ground-breaking new farm tenancy agreement – how the Crown Estate and the Tenant Farme...
May 02, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 252
This episode of the Farmers Weekly Question Time Podcast examines a ground-breaking new farm tenancy agreement. Developed by the Crown Estate and the Tenant Farmers Association, the agreements are called Environmental Farm Business Tenancies (eFBTs). EFBTs are 15-year-long tenancy agreements which encourage tenant farmers to diversify in a way which benefits both the tenant and the landlord. The expert panel answering questions on this podcast episode are: Defra farm minister Daniel Zeichner MP ...
May 01, 2025•1 hr
In this episode, one in three farmers fear their children will sink the farm business when it's handed on to the next generation. Why farming families are walking a tightrope between succession and inheritance tax. Dairy producers are forced to dump thousands of litres of milk after a breakdown at a key processing plant in Lancashire. We've all the latest commodity prices. And we find out why climate-friendly farmers are turned off by the quest for net zero. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Po...
Apr 25, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 251
In this episode, we get to grips government grants to fund on-farm innovation and technology to improve productivity. With British Beef Week around the corner (23-30 April), we run the rule over the NFU's 10-year vision for the UK's beef industry. We look at why farm hedges could be the latest victim of the government's decision to close the Sustainable Farming Incentive to new applications. And we find out why singing sweary farmers are all the rage in Oxfordshire. This episode of the Farmers W...
Apr 17, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 250
In this episode, the government appoints former NFU president Minette Batters to lead a Defra review to solve farming's 'profitability problem'. Her appointment – by Defra secretary Steve Reed – aims to help growers and livestock producers increase their profit and financial resilience. We ask three experts what Baroness Batters should really be looking at – and whether farmers should be encouraged to diversify. Emily Norton, from Farm Foresight ; Richard King, from Andersons farm business consu...
Apr 12, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 249
In this episode, livestock industry leaders warn of a devastating animal disease outbreak unless the government tightens border controls. MPs quiz. Defra minister Daniel Zeichner as cereal growers 'go on strike' in protest at government policies affecting UK farming. Will there really be no hot cross buns at Easter? We've the latest on the Sustainable Farming Incentive and how the Rural Payments Agency continues to process a backlog of applications. And one year after he took up the role, we've ...
Apr 04, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 248
In this episode, the Red Tractor assurance scheme responds to criticism by pledging to make farm audits easier for farmers. We speak to the Red Tractor interim chairman Alistair Mackintosh and operations director Philippa Wiltshire. Also in this episode – the government unveils long awaited plans to reduce pesticide usage by 10% within five years. We look at the likely impact on your farm business – and on food production. And a medical microbiologist says farmers need to remain vigilant after t...
Mar 28, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 247
In this episode, farmers ramp up food production following the closure of the government's flagship environmental scheme. Arable growers who were preparing Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) applications are now drilling spring crops instead – with strong demand for spring seed and fertiliser. Natural England former head of agriculture Geoff Sansome says mistakes were made when drawing up the SFI – but the scheme should be refined rather than redesigned. Why Chancellor Rachel Reeves must avoid ...
Mar 21, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 246
Just why did the government close its flagship agri-environment scheme without warning? We examine the options for farmers unable to join Defra's Sustainable Farming Incentive. A new study says the government must take food security and sustainable farming much more seriously. Published by the Food, Farming & Countryside Commission , the report is called Paying the Price: Cheap food, big business and the cost to farming and food security . And we ask: Is there really a future for lab grown m...
Mar 14, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 245
In this emergency episode, we examine the implications of Defra's decision to stop accepting applications for its flagship agri-environment scheme. The shock announcement to draw a line under the Sustainable Farming Incentive was announced at 6pm Tuesday, 11 March. Defra gave farmers no notice of the decision, which came into effect with immediate effect, leaving would-be applicants high and dry. We look at the reasons for the announcement – and where it leaves farmers and farm businesses across...
Mar 11, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 244
In this episode, a growing number of 'rebel' Labour MPs are supporting farmers against the government on inheritance tax. We have an exclusive interview with Henry Tufnell, Labour MP for Mid- and South Pembrokeshire, who is calling for a government amnesty on the issue. A warm start to spring sees UK temperatures warmer than Madrid and Barcelona – and it's only the beginning of March. We find out how farmers are adapting to climate change - and get the low-down on the farmland market. The AHDB h...
Mar 07, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 243
In this episode, we examine Defra's latest raft of new policies to boost farm profitability. Just exactly how new are they? We scrutinise the keynote speech delivered by Defra secretary Steve Reed at the NFU's annual conference in London. We preview the Pancake Day Rally against government plans to impose 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth more than £1 million. To register for the rally, click here . And we speak to the new group of succession planning experts who have formed the Successio...
Feb 28, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 242
Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time Event at Plumpton College in East Sussex Recorded in front of a live audience on Thursday, 20 February 2025, farmers and other conference delegates quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: - James MacCleary , Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes & Lib Dem Europe spokesperson - Flavian Obiero , the Kenyan Pig Farmer , of Tynefield Farm - Kelly Hewson-Fisher , head of rural rese...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 18 min
In this episode, we discuss the possible outcomes after government finally agrees to talks with farm leaders on inheritance tax. Have things gone too far? Were farming protestors right to force Keir Starmer to cut short a prime ministerial visit to Milton Keynes? And should farming be higher or lower on the government's pecking order? We speak to Aberdeenshire farmer Andrew Connan – NFU Scotland's newly president – and ask him about his priorities. And Louise meets the aerospace engineer who fin...
Feb 14, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 241
In this episode, we look at the LEAF Marque - the farm assurance scheme that delivers benefits for consumers and the environment – as well as for farmers. We find out what makes it work, why it is becoming so popular – and why supermarkets are so keen to work alongside LEAF food producers. We speak to Oxbury Bank – the latest lender offering a special deal to farmers who want to farm more sustainably. We visit an upbeat DairyTech event at Stoneleigh – and talk to the winner of the NMR Gold Cup, ...
Feb 07, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 240
In this episode, we look at government plans to reduce the area of UK farmland – and use it instead to restore nature and create wildlife habitats. The government's Land Use Framework for England – which is out for consultation – will earmark different areas of land for different uses. Objectives include food production, building 1.5 million homes this parliament, and helping to mitigate climate change. We examine what this means for key areas such as the Fens, with a visit to the Fenland Soil C...
Jan 31, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 239
In this episode, we look at how a group of 'Pulse Pioneers' are sowing the seeds for a revival of Britain's pea and bean crops. Pulse crops have many benefits. They include better soil health, less reliance on chemical fertilisers and lower dependency on pesticides. But inconsistent performance can make them difficult to grow profitably. We look at possible answers – and the bigger picture. For more information about the pea and bean project, visit the Pulse Pioneers and the Nitrogen Smart Clima...
Jan 24, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 238
In this episode, we discover how machinery manufacturers are making it easier for farmers to get their hands on the latest kit and technology. We visit the 2025 LAMMA farm machinery show – the two-day extravaganza bringing 40,000 visitors to the Birmingham NEC. We speak to farmers, machinery manufacturers and auctioneers – and get the lowdown on the prospects for the sector for the year ahead. As Morrisons backs farmers against the government on inheritance tax, we look at plans for further farm...
Jan 17, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 237
