In this episode, we examine how UK farmers are striving to overcome low confidence in the sector – caused in part by high input costs. Confidence among farmers is at a low ebb, according to the latest NFU survey – but some sectors are faring better than others. We look at the future for on-farm robots as a flagship agri-tech start-up warns that it is running out of cash. As a key investor pulls the plug , we look at how farming entrepreneurs are turning to crowdfunding to secure their future. We...
May 05, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 155
This week, it's all about the weather as we cross our fingers in the hope that a cold, wet spring gives way to something a little warmer. As the latest ag-inflation figures are released, we talk the the buying groups who have joined forces to get a better deal for on farm inputs. We meet the Welsh dairy farmer who is growing a carbon-sucking shrub that could help combat climate change. As global sugar prices boom, we look at the prospects for the UK's sugar beet crop – and we've all the latest c...
Apr 28, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 154
This week, does the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme still serve its purpose? Or is it time to get rid of it? Red Tractor assurance chair Christine Tacon insists the scheme very much has its place – but concedes that there is room for improvement. We find out how regenerative arable farmers are getting a guaranteed price by almost going organic – with help from the WildFarmed initiative. We've all the latest market prices. And we discover why more farmers are growing sunflowers this spring. And...
Apr 21, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 153
Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at the John Innes Centre , Norwich. Recorded in front of a live studio audience, farmers, students and other guests quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: Shadow Labour Defra farm minister Daniel Zeichner MP Conservative MP for Broadland Norfolk Jerome Mayhew Red Tractor Assurance chair Christine Tacon CBE John Innes wheat geneticist Dr Simon Griffiths National Pig ...
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 28 min
This week, as dairy processors and retailers reduce farmgate and retail milk prices, we examine the prospects for British farmers. With crop nutrition programmes well under way this spring, we find out why more growers are making the switch to liquid fertiliser. On the markets, global demand for beef looks set to stay firm – supporting UK values – and we've all the latest UK commodity prices, We visit the Netherlands, where Dutch scientists are developing ways livestock producers can reduce gree...
Apr 14, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 152
In this episode, Farmers Weekly launches a four-point plan to clean up the UK meat supply chain after uncovering a major food fraud scandal. The Meat: Our Expectations campaign is seeking views from livestock producers, meat processors, retailers and other members of the supply chain. In other news, our latest survey reveals the extent to which farm businesses and production are under threat because of high energy costs. Can you make money from looking after nature? We explain how new rules comi...
Apr 07, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 151
This week – a mass food fraud involving rotten and mislabelled meat has triggered a criminal investigation after being exposed by Farmers Weekly. The government tells farmers to use urea fertiliser sensibly – or face tighter restrictions. We find out how the industry is fighting back. How you can keep your family happy – and avoid a long-running dispute – while ensuring you get your fair share of the farm. We've all the latest commodity prices – including details of the latest milk price cuts. A...
Mar 31, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 150
In this episode, we look at the pros and cons as the government launches its latest countryside stewardship offer for farmers in England. Government landscape agency Natural England is under fire after a data leak reveals details of farmers who oppose plans to protect Cornish moorland. We've the latest prices on the markets – and we give away an iPad to the winner of this week's Commodity Cashback competition. We speak to the Scottish sheep producer who believes British farmers have a lot to lea...
Mar 24, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 149
In this episode, farm leader Minette Batters has condemned unacceptable behaviour in UK agriculture – including at work and work-related events. It comes after a woman at last month's NFU conference in Birmingham deliberately avoided sitting near her NFU county chairman so he couldn't “lean all over her.” Other women in agriculture have since come forward saying they too have faced unacceptable behaviour in the workplace. In other news, we examine the prospects for fertiliser and ask: is the wor...
Mar 17, 2023•56 min•Ep. 148
This week, Exclusive - South American beef labelled British: 10 years after the horsegate scandal, just how safe is the UK’s red meat supply chain? Crisis in the uplands: with hill farm incomes forecast to crash this year, just how will livestock farmers survive? On the markets, why are arable prices heading down and what are the global grain prospects ? And we discover the winner of this week's Commodity Cashback competition. And we hear about the Scottish farmland bird project that has boosted...
Mar 10, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 147
This week – it really black gold? We go carbon farming with growers and livestock producers in Sussex. We look at Scottish agriculture policy - and ask whether politicians and farm leaders are working too closely with one another to make a difference. We've the latest market prices – we find out why beef prices have hit a record high. And we discover the winner of this week's Commodity Cashback competition. We find out what the Windsor Framework deal between the UK and Brussels means for Norther...
Mar 03, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 146
Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at SRUC Oatridge, Scotland's Rural College in West Lothian. Recorded in front of a live studio audience, farmers, students and other guests quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy Food safety professor Nicola Holden Scottish government farming & rural policy director George Burgess Dairy farmer Sally Williams Award-winning en...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 28 min
This week, opposition leader Keir Starmer sets out his stall at NFU conference – as Defra secretary Therese Coffey comes under fire from farmers. Farm minister Mark Spencer announces new funding for small abattoirs – but can't say exactly how much is available. Could prospects be about to improve for tenant farmers? We find out from Baroness Kate Rock – author of the Rock Review on tenant farming. On the markets, we've all the latest prices and find out the winner of this week's Commodity Cashba...
Feb 24, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 145
This week, what's the future for regenerative agriculture in the UK? We find out the latest hopes and aspirations at this year's BASE conference. Hugh binge-watches Clarkson's Farm 2 – is it as good as the first? Or is Jeremy past his sell-by-date? And what's all this about farm safety? We find out why Scotland's farmers are so disgruntled with Scottish government policy for agriculture north of the border. On the markets, we talk winter fodder sales – and we find out the £50 winner of this week...
Feb 17, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 144
This week, we speak to the victim of a £1m farm arson attack – after the teenage arsonist behind the blaze is told to pay just £61 by the court. Farm incomes will be hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis this year, says a report. We look the options for farmers. On the markets, we talk beef and lamb prices in the north and find out the winner of this week's Commodity Cashback competition. We've a special update on the government's animal health pathway – and get the latest on bovine tuberculosis...
Feb 10, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 143
This week, Defra farm minister Mark Spencer defends this government’s policies for agriculture. Mr Spencer insists the future is bright for farming - and says the industry must do more to export food and attract new entrants into the sector. We’re at Harper Adams University, where farmers and students are among the audience for the very first Farmers Weekly Question Time event. We visit DairyTech, where we gauge industry reaction to rapidly changing sentiment in the milk market. We find out how ...
Feb 03, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 142
Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at Harper Adams University. Recorded in front of a live studio audience, farmers, students and other guests quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: Defra farm minister Mark Spencer Harper Adams vice chancellor Michael Lee Vicki Hird, head of farming at Sustain Merseyside farmer and YouTube influencer Olly Harrison Questions include: What is the best way to encourage ...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 9 min
In this episode, the government finally unveils further long-awaited details of its flagship environmental scheme for England. Farmers will be paid to undertake six new actions – on hedgerows, arable and horticultural land and grassland. They will also be paid for pest and nutrient management. But will it work? We talk to Defra secretary Therese Coffey. Meanwhile, the National Farmers Union unveils plans to restructure its regional operations in a bid to cut costs for its 50,000 members. We look...
Jan 27, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 141
This week – just how important is soil health? Well not as important as it should be, say critics, who accuse the government of not taking it seriously enough. Livestock farmers are cutting back on numbers – we look at the reasons why. Is it just down to high input costs? Or is it something else? On the markets, we've all the latest prices and – we discover the winner of this week's Commodity Cashback competition. Grain storage co-ops join forces in a bid to combat high energy costs. And we look...
Jan 20, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 140
In this episode, we join the crowds as thousands of visitors flock to the LAMMA 2023 farm machinery show at the Birmingham NEC. As the machinery sector bounces back from Covid, we find out whether supply chains have recovered from the pandemic too. With input costs continuing to surge, we ask whether alternative fuels and electric tractors can replace red diesel. We launch our Commodity Cashback competition – and your chance to win £50 by predicting next week's commodity prices. We meet the farm...
Jan 13, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 139
This week, the government announced extra money for farmers in England who sign up to its Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme. But is it enough to make the scheme more attractive to farmers? With high input costs set to be a big challenge during 2023 – we ask whether alternatives to nitrogen fertiliser are worth considering. In other news, a group of farmers is reaping the benefits after deciding to run their own environmental facilitation group. On the markets, we've all the latest commodity p...
Jan 09, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 138
In this final Farmers Weekly podcast of 2022, we review the farming year – and take a special look at the prospects for UK agriculture in 2023. We do so with Andersons – the farm business consultants who publish the Andersons Outlook – an annual look at the year ahead for agriculture. Ag-inflation and high input costs seen in 2022 are set to remain a big challenge for growers and livestock producers agriculture in 2023. Farm business consultant Sebastian Graf Baker says soil health is arguably m...
Dec 16, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 137
This week, soaring input costs and spiralling consumer inflation mean the UK faces a food supply crisis, says the NFU. So why won't the government do anything about it? How an innovative approach is helping a Somerset dairy farming family get additional value out of bull calves. On the markets, we've all the latest commodity prices We run the rule over the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board's red meat strategy for the beef and lamb sectors. And we meet the Cornish landowner who has r...
Dec 09, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 136
Delayed again, just what is the future for Defra's flagship Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMs) for England? Is ELMs really hanging by a thread? Or will the government finally make the scheme a success? And when will we find out? We hear from Defra secretary Therese Coffey, Labour shadow farm minister Daniel Zeichner and Natural England chairman Tony Juniper. On the markets, we've all the latest prices and take a special look at the recovery prospects for the UK pig sector. We give our v...
Dec 02, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 135
This week – a shortage of workers is making it harder for farmers to produce food profitably, but what should be done? Should more visas be granted to overseas workers? Do technology and robotics have a role to play? And how do we change the perception of agriculture as a low-wage industry? Elsewhere, we examine how garlic can help dairy cows fight mastitis and the government unveils a new slurry grant scheme. On the markets, we'll have all the latest grain prices – including the influence of pl...
Nov 25, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 134
In this episode, why are UK supermarkets importing eggs rather than paying British farmers more to offset higher production costs? We examine the impact on your farm business as the UK government unveils a huge round of spending cuts. As the mild – and now wet – autumn continues, we've the latest on arable crop establishment, pests and diseases out in the field. On the markets, we've all the latest prices. And we look at the legacy of Jimmy's Farm – with the man himself, 20 years after the hit T...
Nov 18, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 133
In this episode, the government is urged not to reduce farm support as the it seeks to plug a £60 billion hole in its public finances. Farm leaders and environmental groups say it would be a folly to slash the farm budget at a crucial time for the industry. Confidential details involving 1,500 farms will be strictly protected as Defra strives to deliver better policies for agriculture, says the government. On the markets, we look at why lamb prices are on the rise. The Agriculture and Horticultu...
Nov 11, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 132
In this episode, why politicians are being urged to put their money where their mouth is when promising to back British farming. One year after Boris Johnson outraged pig producers by dismissing the crisis engulfing the sector, how are farmers faring now? With some arable farmers ripping up oilseed rape, we look at the prospects for the crop over the coming season. We find out how young farmers get on the farming ladder in West Africa. And we meet the seed merchant donating grain for a local mil...
Nov 04, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 131
In this week's episode, are you ready for Rishi? We look at what the food security promises made by Rishi Sunak – the UK's third Prime Minister in just seven weeks – mean for farmers. Can the government really strike the right balance between boosting food production and looking after for the environment? On the markets, we look at why diesel is so stubbornly expensive. Why some experts want to make it easier to breed cows without horns – and how it will benefit beef and dairy producers. And it'...
Oct 28, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 130
In this week's episode, UK farm input costs have increased by 34% over the past year – so exactly how can farmers combat soaring ag-inflation? We meet the dairy farmers cushioning their business against input cost increases by powering their tractor with methane produced by their cows. We assess the impact of the government's new bird flu restrictions on producers – will it really help to combat the disease? On the markets, we speak to representatives from the UK's largest livestock auction grou...
Oct 21, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 129
