In this episode, a Norfolk farming family says the National Trust is threatening their livelihood – by refusing to a remove a restrictive covenant. We examine what farmers in a similar position can do to get covenants removed. With Red Tractor farm assurance prepared to ratchet up standards, two farmers debate the pros and cons of the scheme. Does Red Tractor really deliver benefits? On the markets, calf prices jump as supplies tighten, with many buyers bidding keenly for limited numbers before ...
Jan 29, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 42
In this episode, paying farmers to look after the environment could create more stable farm incomes, say researchers. We examine possible payment rates for the forthcoming Environmental Land Management Scheme – and who will pay to get your farm in order? Second-hand tractor sales are the latest victim of new Brexit rules – with machinery having to be thoroughly cleaned of mud before it can be exported. The new requirement aims to stop plant diseases spreading from country to country – we look at...
Jan 22, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Farmers are being urged to have their say as walkers turn footpaths into quagmires due to coronavirus lockdown restrictions. We speak to a farmer forced to watch as his wheat crop was damaged by hundreds of walkers straying across his field. Natural England is asking farmers to help revise the Countryside Code as it tries to encourage people to act responsibly when taking their daily exercise. Lack of clarity over Brexit rules is hampering supplies of livestock feed and animal medicines to North...
Jan 15, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Gene-edited crops and livestock could soon be permitted on farms in England under plans contained in a government consultation. The plan was unveiled by Defra secretary George Eustice at the Oxford Farming Conference – but Scottish rural cabinet secretary Fergus Ewing urges caution. Red tape is hampering trade in agri-food products between the UK and EU – we examine the impact of the Brexit deal for farmers. At the start of the New Year, 700 growers and livestock producers tell us what they hope...
Jan 08, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Human trafficking and modern slavery are major problems for UK agriculture, with up to 13,000 workers exploited annually in the food and farming sector. A clampdown on worker welfare means farmers will soon have to show they are abiding by modern slavery rules under plans for the Red Tractor scheme. Is it sensible move? Or will it mean yet more red tape for growers and livestock producers? As Brexit talks go down to the wire, we look at the likely impact of no-deal on trade in beef and other pro...
Dec 18, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 38
A flood-hit farmer has vowed to clear his name after being accused of illegally damaging a mile-long stretch of protected riverside in Herefordshire. John Price, of Day House Farm, Kingsland, says he had permission to carry out work on a flood-prone stretch of the river Lugg, near Leominster. But his actions now face scrutiny by three government agencies. They have launched a joint investigation following reports of activities including dredging, the illegal felling of trees and profiling of the...
Dec 11, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 37
The government launches its plans for post-Brexit farm support, but have they told us anything new? And what about payments? As the EU Trade talks enter the very final stages what is it really going to happen on farm after the Brexit transition ends on 31 December 2020. We ask What does re-wilding really mean? And could it be good for farmers? The government says it will pay farmers to quit – so younger and more innovative farmers can take their place. How will it work? We've all the latest mark...
Dec 04, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 36
We take a sneak preview as the government finally prepares to unveil details of its flagship Environmental Land Management scheme. How easy will it be to join? And how much money can you expect to receive? Machinery giant JCB has gone green – and launched its first fully electric farm telehandler – we get the lowdown on its power and performance. The world's a less lonely place when it comes to regenerative agriculture – with the launch of a new agronomy group. We talk to a 24-year-old farmer wh...
Nov 27, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Sugar beet growers hit by virus yellows could be given special permission to use neonicotinoid-treated seed next spring – if the government gives the go-ahead. Growers are walking away from the crop after seeing yields plummet due to the disease. But will an emergency neonicotinoid application work? Defra secretary George Eustice hits back following criticism after suggesting UK sheep and dairy farmers could ride out a no-deal Brexit. What was he talking about? We've the latest market prices – a...
Nov 20, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this exclusive interview, Defra secretary George Eustice hits back at criticism after suggesting UK sheep and dairy farmers could adapt to a no-deal Brexit. It comes after Mr Eustice rejected the suggestion that no-deal would devastate the UK lamb sector – insisting instead there would be opportunities despite a short-term dip in prices. Mr Eustice defends his view that some mixed beef and sheep enterprises would take the opportunity to switch to producing more beef and less lamb. The claim –...
Nov 19, 2020•12 min
A shake-up in the farm machinery dealer network has seen major restructuring for big name brands and franchises. We look at what it means for farmers – and for other machinery manufacturers. Pressure is mounting on the government to help ease the pain of reduced farm support as the basic payment scheme is phased out. Could it do more to help farming families? On the markets, we look at the prospects for oilseed rape – and the impact that a rise in Sterling could have on your farm business. Defra...
Nov 13, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 33
The government has unveiled controversial plans to ban urea fertiliser – we examine what it means for your farm business. Ministers finally agree to give farmers a bigger say on food imports. But is it enough to stop British farmers from being undermined by food imports produced using methods that would be illegal in the UK? As England enters another coronavirus lockdown, we examine ways producers can tap into the latest consumer trends in red meat, dairy and fresh produce. We travel across the ...
Nov 06, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Red Tractor chairman Lucy Neville-Rolfe is out after she voted against measures to protect British farmers from substandard food imports. What next for the farm assurance scheme? Growers and livestock producers take to the streets over the government's refusal to ban food imports produced using methods that are illegal in the UK. One year after footage of his flood-hit farm was beamed around the world, Henry Ward says he fears a repeat of the disaster that left his house reachable only by boat. ...
Oct 30, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Assured Food Standards chairman Lucy Neville-Rolfe faces calls to resign after she voted against measures to protect British farmers from cheap food imports. Baroness Neville-Rolfe voted against amendments to the government's Agriculture Bill – in a move farmers say undermines the credibility of the AFS Red Tractor assurance scheme. The amendments sought to ensure food imports to the UK meet the same high standards as those met by British growers and livestock producers. Also on this week's podc...
Oct 23, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode, the National Farmers Union wins a victory against the BBC after complaining about the broadcaster's “meat is killing the planet” programme. Tory rebel MPs who voted against their own government say there is still hope for British farmers who want to keep substandard food imports out of the UK. The cost of farm fires reaches a five-year high – we examine innovative ways of reducing the risk of arson and electrical faults. We've all the latest market news – and we pay a special vi...
Oct 16, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode, the government says it is unlikely to accept amendments to its Agriculture Bill – find out the implications for farm businesses. Arable farmer Olly Harrison says a lorry load of his wheat was unfairly rejected. What should you do when a buyer says your grain isn't up to scratch? Industry leaders publish a blueprint they say will enable farmers to deliver the government's new environmental land management scheme. We find out whether Defra secretary George Eustice agrees. Plans ar...
Oct 09, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this episode, plans to impose a 'carbon tax' on farmers who finish prime beef cattle later than 27-months-old have split industry opinion. Some farmers have welcomed the idea – but others say it would favour intensive beef production and unfairly discriminate against traditional breeds reared on grass. Meanwhile, growers have triggered a ballot on the future of AHDB Horticulture – arguing that the levy board fails to deliver value for money. With the barn doors closing on this year's cereals ...
Oct 02, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this week's podcast: it's raining and storms are on their way – could we be looking at a repeat of last year's wet autumn? We look at the long-term weather forecast for the coming weeks – and how it could affect your cropping plans. Growers reveal their drilling intentions for winter wheat – who is going early and who is going late? And what's the risk? We've details of an interim post-Brexit support scheme for English farmers facing the abolition of direct payments – plus our latest market p...
Sep 25, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 26
It's a year since the National Farmers Union unveiled ambitious plans for UK agriculture to be carbon neutral within two decades. We examine whether the NFU's Net Zero 2040 target is realistic and achievable – and ask whether it goes far enough. Ongoing uncertainty over post-Brexit border arrangements between the UK and Ireland could have a huge impact on trade in agri-food products. We look at the implications for farmers after Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that food producers could face ...
Sep 18, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 25
The 2020 badger cull gets under way to combat bovine tuberculosis in cattle – we meet a farmer who says it is helping tackle the disease. As the Brexit rhetoric ramps up, so too are efforts to ensure British farmers aren't undermined by a flood of cheap food imports. Will they succeed? A top UK expert explains what is really happening in trade talks – and what it means for farmers and food producers. A deadline to get a fair deal for dairy farmers is about to expire. Have you had your say and co...
Sep 11, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Farmers will have more say in the way their levy money is spent by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). In this exclusive interview, AHDB chairman Nicholas Saphir talks about the timetable for a ballot to be held after details are finalised with the government. The decision for "root and branch reform" follows a Defra call for views from levy payers on ways to improve the way the AHDB operates. The organisation will also improve the way it communicates with farmers – and be...
Sep 08, 2020•19 min
Government ministers and MPs are being urged to Back British Farming ahead of a crucial four months of post-Brexit trade talks. It comes amid a stark warning from a top economist who says one in three family farms could go bankrupt in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It's a challenging harvest in Yorkshire – and many other places too – we've the latest prospects and prices in our regular market round-up. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board pledges substantial changes – and says it w...
Sep 04, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Farmers working hard to look after the environment face being disadvantaged because the government won't allow changes to countryside stewardship agreements. It follows a government decision to abolish EU “greening” rules requiring farmers to manage some of their land as ecological focus areas – or EFAs. The concern is that thousands of hectares of EFA land could now be ploughed up unless Defra allows farmers to include it in countryside stewardship. We examine the implications. Meanwhile, Briti...
Aug 27, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Food security and self-sufficiency must be a key part of the UK's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, say farm leaders. UK self-sufficiency in food production stands at just 64%, according to the latest figures from the National Farmers Union (NFU). The country would run out of food on 21 August if it had to rely entirely on domestic supplies for a whole year, says the union. In this podcast, we also examine growing concerns over the impact of a challenging harvest on UK cereal production. C...
Aug 21, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 21
The cost of new machinery continues to scale new heights with John Deere slapping a hefty price tag on its latest X9 1100 combine. Many growers will struggle to find the best part of £1m to spend on the flagship combine, which is capable of harvesting 100 tonnes of wheat an hour. Is farm machinery too expensive – and how can we make it more affordable? Farm business consultant Gary Markham explains. It's been a terrible harvest for oilseed rape – more growers are abandoning the crop – but should...
Aug 13, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 20
UK farmers are being reminded to store fertiliser safely after an explosion involving 2750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate killed over 130 people in Beirut. For Lincolnshire farmer Andrew Green, the tragedy brought back memories of the 1974 Flixborough disaster – when a chemical plant exploded in his village, killing 28 people Also in this episode, we look at the latest rural crime report. With Crime in the countryside at an eight-year high, we examine the impact on farmers – look at what is at the t...
Aug 07, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Defra has confirmed that farmers in England will no longer have to comply with environmental greening rules to receive their full annual basic payment. We examine what the end of the three-crop rule means for farmers and the countryside – and the future for agri-environment schemes. Following the launch of a government commission on food standards, we speak to the farmer who will get your message across to ministers and trade negotiators. Will it really make a difference? As a variable harvest c...
Jul 31, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 18
The wheat harvest has kicked off in the south of England, with variable yields highlighting the challenges faced by the tricky growing season. Growers give their verdict as combines roll into wheat crops across the country. We talk to Defra chief scientist Gideon Henderson about a breakthrough in the battle against bovine tuberulosis - could a new test make all the difference? It’s Farm Safety Week with good news that fatalities are falling – but a recent worrying spike means there is no room fo...
Jul 24, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 17
On the Farmers Weekly Podcast, it's Farm Safety Week – and we have a special interview with farm safety campaigner Jane Gurney. Jane's teenage son Harry was killed in an accident involving an unroadworthy trailer – and she founded the Tilly Your Trailer safety campaign in his memory. She talks about the campaign, how it is improving safety on farms – and the launch of the Head to tow app. We look at what the government's Animal Health & Welfare Pathway means for livestock producers and how i...
Jul 17, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this week’s Podcast we talk to the growers who want a ballot to decide the future of their AHDB Levy. The OSR harvest gets underway across the country just as one of the key processing sites suffers a major fire. We look at the results of this year’s annual crop plantings survey from AHDB and how farm tourism gets a boost from VAT cuts. Auction marts across the UK work flat out to keep the show on the road, innovating and adapting in preparation for the big autumn breeding sales. And we find ...
Jul 10, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 15
