In this episode, researchers get a cash boost to combat flea beetle in oilseed rape. We speak to the scientist who is seeking the holy grail of a single carbon footprint metric for UK agriculture. And we find out why healthy hedgerows are having a revival. This episode co-hosted by Farmers Weekly's Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.
In this episode, the fallout continues over 'unworkable' rules restricting autumn applications of organic fertiliser. The much-criticised decision by the Environment Agency has thrown autumn crop nutrition plans into jeopardy - including muck for straw deals and sewage sludge spreading. We take a look at yields and quality as the wheat harvest gets under way across the country. As the latest climate change report is published, we ask do we need to take global warming more seriously? And how are ...
In this episode, new rules on autumn manure applications are set to have a big impact on farms, say industry leaders. Crime in the countryside falls – but the pandemic fuels a sharp rise in dog attacks on livestock. Harvest? What Harvest? Rain slows ripening and hampers progress across the country. On the markets, lamb eases as beef firms up And if you're having difficulties sleeping – why not try a woollen duvet. This episode co-hosted by Farmers Weekly Podcast editor Johann Tasker and Surrey f...
Farmers are unprepared for the big drop in income they will suffer as the Basic Payment Scheme is phased out in England. The annual BPS payment makes up 36% of farm income – but one in three farmers have done nothing to replace it – despite cuts less than six months away. The finding comes in a special survey to mark the start of Transition , a major new initiative to help secure a sustainable future for farm businesses. With money on everyone's mind at the moment, we talk to the Warwickshire fa...
In this week's episode, with harvest 2021 is under way, we look at what's happening to crops coming off the field. Farm Safety Week starts with a plea to come home safe – we examine how you can stay out of danger on the farm this summer. The latest Red Tractor scheme rules are announced: are they a step too far? And we have a special interview with Welsh farmer and British Lion Wyn Jones, in South Africa for an eight-match tour against the Springboks. This episode co-hosted by Farmers Weekly Pod...
Prince Charles' warning over family farms, water for agriculture, arable futures, national food strategy, & down the cattle lines at the Great Yorkshire Show In this episode, Prince Charles highlights his concern for family farms – and says the future of the countryside depends on their survival. Have you had your fill? We examine what the government's long-awaited national food strategy means for growers and livestock producers. We look at how climate change is affecting water supplies for ...
In this episode, we preview the new 4x4 Ineos Grenadier and ask: can it really replace the much-missed old-style Land Rover Defender? As the government moves away from badger culling, will cattle vaccination be a game-changer in the battle against bovine tuberculosis? We look at a new set of free e-tools that could make it easier to get the best from agri environment schemes. And how a group of land managers believe contraception could boost red squirrel numbers by keeping grey squirrel numbers ...
This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast was recorded on location at the 2021 Cereals event in Lincolnshire. In this episode, Defra secretary George Eustice pledges a 30% uplift in support payments to farmers who improve soil health. But is it enough? We take a look at the latest robotic tractor as it woos the crowds at Cereals. Does it stack up? Cereal varieties are understandably under scrutiny - is the future behind us? And farmers fall out with British Sugar over beer prices - will the two...
This week's episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast was recorded on location at Groundswell – the UK annual event dedicated to regenerative agriculture. We meet the farmers who are improving soil health while ensuring their farms remain profitable and productive. How do they do it? We look at the latest government plans to reward farmers who look after soil, water and the environment. How exactly will farmers be paid? We get the low-down on a new £100,000 direct drill. And we speak to the people b...
In this episode, we catch up with 21-year-old farmer Kaleb Cooper – the unexpected star of Jeremy Clarkson's latest TV series. We ask Kaleb what it was like working with Jeremy – and how much of what we see in the eight-part series is real, and how much is for the cameras. We speak to the Cambridgeshire farmer being sued by plant-based drinks giant Oatly – and examine the growing popularity of oats. On the markets, are fertiliser prices set to stay high? We look at the agricultural shows going a...
In this episode, after a farmer uses a telehandler to remove a car blocking his gateway, we ask what are your rights when it removing vehicles on your land? We look at how wheat growers are blending their own seed mixtures to reduce their fungicide use and improve profitability. On the markets, are arable commodity prices set to stay high? Is your farm plagued by poor connectivity? We examine the challenges holding bacl the rural economy – and ways to speed up poor broadband. And we talk to a fa...
In this episode, criminal gangs reveal how they target farmers to locate expensive items of machinery they can then steal to order. Are you going organic? The latest figures show a surge in the amount of farmland going into conversion. On the markets, are input prices putting dairy margins under pressure? We take a look at the latest grassland varieties – and ask how many farmers are actually using the recommended list? And ahead of his new TV show, we find out why Jeremy Clarkson decided to run...
In this episode, young farm workers are dicing with death by filming stunts involving moving farm machinery – and posting the footage on the internet. We examine the employment procedures put in place by farmers and agricultural contractors to stop it happening. As the prospect of a tariff-free trade deal with Australia draws closer, we ask whether the UK government really is going to throw British farmers under a bus. With American farmers also keen on a trade deal with the UK, we speak to a fo...
In this week's episode, the government wants to pay older farmers to retire and pave the way for the next generation. But how will the lump sum exit scheme work – and will it really encourage new entrants into the agricultural industry? We ask whether a free-trade deal with Australia will really undermine UK farmers? The government wants to treble the amount of trees we plant – but what about the money and how much are they prepared to pay? And as lockdown eases, we pay a visit to the Farmers Cl...
Farmers are reporting signal problems with John Deere GPS satellite receivers – we find out what's going on. New planning proposals are unveiled in the Queen's Speech – what impact could they have on your farm business? Could government plans to ramp up animal welfare leave British farmers at a disadvantage? On the markets, we find out why the cost of building materials has gone sky-high – and some are being rationed. Big job cuts are planned at the AHDB – after growers vote to abolish two levie...
Oilseed rape has had more than its fair share of problems over recent years - with many growers abandoning the crop due to cabbage stem flea beetle. But some farmers believe it is worth sticking with rape – and record-breaking prices mean it could make a wider return to arable rotations. In this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast, we visit north-east Norfolk grower Kit Papworth who talks about his strategy for the crop. We also talk to NIAB specialist Colin Peters, who explains a cros...
In this episode, farmers and tractor drivers and reporting problems with blocked fuel filters after taking delivery of red diesel. The problem is affecting farmers in Scotland and the eastern England – and costing thousands of pounds in replacement parts. The government says it is doing all it can to resolve a shortage of labour in the dairy sector – but is it really enough to help farmers? On the markets, is the lamb bubble about to burst? Do farm rents need to fall to reflect the forthcoming p...
In this episode, a robotic tractor makes its UK debut – we find out how it works on a demonstration day in Suffolk. We tackle the thorny issue of farm succession planning: what could be in store for the next generation of your family? Growing trees in fields – six East Anglia growers open their gates to show how agro-forestry benefits their farm business. On the markets, we look at a novel way of keeping abreast of all the latest bidding at Ireland's livestock marts. And we talk to the Durham fa...
In this episode, we look at how farmers are tackling the cold, dry spring – with crops and grass in desperate need of rain. Farm machinery suppliers and manufacturers are warning of a machinery shortage – have you got your spares in the shed? How will the latest carbon targets affect your farm? We speak to the head of the government's Climate Change Committee. And Picnics in the Vineyard – we find out how one Yorkshire farm has worked hard to make the lockdown pay. This episode of the Farmers We...
More than 50 people have lost their lives in farm-related accidents over the past year. The shocking statistic is equivalent to one person every week going to work on a UK farm and never returning home. We look at the reasons behind agriculture's appalling safety record – and ways to improve it. With farm incomes forecast to decline – how are you preparing for the future? On the markets, beef prices continue to rise. We examine the controversy over poor water quality – are farmers really to blam...
An Essex farmer reveals how he was scammed out of £8,500 when trying to buy a tractor online – and warns others not to fall victim to the same fraud. We've a special look at crop management progress this spring – as the cold snap provides growers and agronomists with time for a short breather. On the markets, signs emerge of light at the end of the tunnel for pig prices. Police and safety experts urge farmers to secure loads when towing trailers – or run the risk of a serious and potentially fat...
With its future under threat, we talk to a group of farmers who want to continue paying levies to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. As Scotland passes a new law to curb the number of fatal dog attacks on livestock, we ask could other UK nations follow suit? It's Easter – and more people are enjoying the great outdoors – will a new version of the Countryside Code encourage them to act responsibly? The video we mention by Surrey farmer Mark Frost, who highlights problems with dog...
In this week's episode, votes to scrap the compulsory levy for two key farm sectors mean a smaller future for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. In an exclusive interview, Defra secretary George Eustice says the statutory levies for potatoes and horticulture will go – and other farm sectors will now face similar votes. So what happens next? Sugar beet growers say it has become too risky to grow the crop, as hundreds of farmers take British Sugar to task over low prices. With ove...
In this episode, plans to build the UK's biggest solar farm on a swathe of productive agricultural land have sparked calls for a debate on the future of the countryside. Opponents say the farmland should be used to produce food – not energy. But the company behind the scheme say it is needed to combat climate change. More than 2000 farmers have joined an online platform to increase returns from their livestock enterprises – we examine how it works. What's the verdict on the Red Tractor farm assu...
One of farming's flagship charities has surprised its supporters by unveiling plans to sell off its residential care homes. The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution says it can better serve the farming community by using the money elsewhere. Is it spring yet? How an early disease detection test for cereals can cut your fungicide bill for wheat. On the markets lamb retail sales see record growth. As 20 farm business consultants leave Strutt & Parker to set on their own as Ceres Rural, we...
In this episode, farmers turning out cattle this spring are being warned to this twice before putting cattle and calves in fields with public footpaths. We look at ways livestock producers can carry on farming – while ensuring people are safe when using public rights of way. Trade deals with other countries must be matched with protection for UK farmers from substandard food imports, says a watchdog. But does the recommendation go far enough? And does the government's independent Trade and Agric...
In this episode, we investigate how criminal gangs are stealing farm dogs worth thousands of pounds – and selling them on the black market. As Defra secretary George Eustice confirms that all AHDB sector bodies will now face a vote on their future – we ask how exactly will the ballot work? Family farms face an 'economic shock' as direct payments are phased out, says the Labour Party – but what does leader Keir Starmer propose instead? On the markets, lamb prices are on the rise gain. Trade and i...
In this episode, we examine the implications for farmers after growers vote to end the compulsory levy they pay to AHDB Horticulture. As a terrible sugar beet season nears an end, we ask whether a support package from British Sugar is enough for farmers to keep growing the crop. On the markets, it's all about lamb prices – where will they go next? The chairman of the Red Tractor cereals board seeks to reassure growers that assurance scheme standards aren't out of control. It's Mind Your Head wee...
In this episode. we examine government plans to let farmers in England take a one-off lump sum in place of their remaining direct payments. The aim is to help some farmers leave the industry while making way for new entrants. How might the scheme work – and what do we need to know? The latest Countryside Stewardship offering is open for applications – we take a special look at the latest improved options and payment rates. With peak lambing season almost here, veterinary students will be arrivin...
In this episode, we examine the reasons behind a worrying increase in dog attacks on sheep. What are the facts behind the figures? Farmers are great at looking after their crops and livestock – but as a busy spring time approaches, what is the best way to look after yourself? We look at the best foods to eat to keep you "Fit and Farming" with a top sports dietician who is starting a new course for farmers. Commodity prices have been buoyant – but is the heat coming out of the market? MPs questio...
