In this episode, with an increase in dog attacks on livestock, we look at the options for farmers trying to combat a growing problem. Politicians are battling for farmers' votes in the run-up to next month's elections – so why aren't would-be MPs being clear about policies for agriculture? We preview this month's Cereals event – and look ahead to autumn crop establishment and the dilemma about early drilling And we discuss the prospects for the malting barley market alongside all the latest comm...
Jun 07, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 209
In this episode, we ask is there a problem with young farmer culture? The debate follows a Farmers Weekly's investigation into the experiences of young women of sexual assault at young farmers' events. We look at why farmers could be faced with changes to the amount of muck and slurry they can spread in the autumn following a landmark legal case. We bring you the latest tips on handling livestock safely and efficiently. We’ve our regular market round-up and the latest commodity prices. And we lo...
May 31, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 208
In this episode, we look at what the forthcoming General Election might mean for UK farmers – who is promising what and to whom. After Defra unveils its latest offer for the Sustainable Farming Incentive, we get the lowdown on the implications for your farm business. Glyphosate or ploughing – what is best for soil health? We find out at the Green Farm Collective Open Day. How the Wildfarmed flour brand is being stocked by more retailers – and why farmers are enjoying growing their wheat. We’ve o...
May 24, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 207
In this episode, we run the rule over Defra's new food security index – will it really mean a better deal for British farmers? We get the lowdown on Rishi Sunak's second Farm to Fork Summit – and ask whether the Prime Minister's garden party for food producers will achieve anything? Is it positive for pigs? An upbeat Pig and Poultry Fair suggests the sector is on the road to recovery. But is it enough to see off shadows on the horizon? How technology is helping to optimise farm margins in a chal...
May 17, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 206
In this episode, Defra secretary Steve Barclay promises more support for farmers following a challenging wet winter and spring. Mr Barclay made the pledge in a keynote speech at the Farmers Weekly Transition Live event in Cambridgeshire on Thursday, 9 May 2024. This episode of the Farmers Weeky Podcast was recorded on location at the event – held at Cambridge University's Park Farm, Madingley. More than 400 visitors attended Transition Live, aimed at helping secure a profitable and sustainable f...
May 10, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 205
In this episode, industry leaders voice concern after the Health and Safety Executive says it will no longer take a pro-active approach to farm safety. It's been a sticky few year's for farming’s levy board. So what's next? We meet Graham Wilkinson, the new chief executive at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Milk prices keep climbing – but what about the different dairy sectors? We’ve our regular market roundup and a look at all the latest commodities And we find out how farme...
May 03, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 204
In this episode, well-wishers raise more than £30,000 for a farmer who sustained life-changing injuries in an workplace accident. It comes amid pleas for growers and livestock producers to take extra care as they try to catch up on fieldwork delayed by the wet spring. If you would like to help out after hearing Tim Parton's story, you can do so by making a donation to the Tim Parton Rehabilitation Fund . Bosses at the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme face calls for a vote of no confidence in th...
Apr 26, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 203
In this episode, we dicuss what viewers can expect from the new series of the hit TV show Clarkson's Farm. With fuel prices set to rise, we examine the prospects for red diesel. Herbal leys – are they really the simple option for livestock producers wanting easy money from the Sustainable Farming Incentive? How space food from a vertical farm in orbit could benefit farmers back on Earth. And we pull on our sports gear and go for a jog with the farming charity runners taking part in this year's L...
Apr 19, 2024•32 min•Ep. 202
In this episode, the government relaxes flood compensation rules after one of the UK's worst flood-hit farmers found himself ineligible for payment. Tenant farmers call for talks with landowners who want to take back farmland so they can claim inheritance tax relief. We've all the latest market prices – and take a special look at the record-breaking trade in spring lamb this year. Plans for a huge solar farm covering 800ha (2000 acres) has divided farmers and rural communities in Wiltshire. And ...
Apr 12, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 201
In this episode, beef farmers fear they could be driven out of business by government plans to reduce emissions and improve efficiency. A police investigation continues – one year after Farmers Weekly blew the whistle on a food safety scandal involving illegal meat. We’ve our regular market roundup and all the latest commodity prices. And we visit the farmers who are sharing a sauna to improve their mental wellbeing. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Fa...
Apr 05, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 200
In this episode, farmers drive dozens of tractors through central London and call for a better deal from the Westminster government. Why won’t Defra do more to keep illegal meat imports out of the country? We’ve more on the government's decision to limit the amount of land entered into its Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme. And #AreEWEok? We speak to the Scottish young farmers highlighting the importance of mental wellbeing at lambing time. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hos...
Mar 29, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 199
In this emergency podcast, we get to grips with Defra's announcement placing restrictions on land going into the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Under the changes, SFI applicants will only be able to put 25% of their land into six SFI actions that take land out of direct food production . The announcement was made by Defra on Monday 25 March 2024 – and applies to new applications to the flagship agri-environment scheme. Joining podcast host Johann Tasker to make sense of the Defra announcement an...
Mar 25, 2024•18 min
In this episode, Red Tractor Assurance abandons plans for farmers to carbon footprint their businesses under its Greener Farms Commitment. We find out what growers are doing while waiting to see if the weather will dry up in time to plant spring cereal crops. Are agronomists about to become obsolete? We discover how artificial intelligence promises to benefit your farm business. And a mass choir of Scottish farmers sings their heart out at Perth Concert Hall - and raises £46,000 for charity. You...
Mar 22, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 198
In this episode, we find out how farmers in England are set to be the first in Europe to grow gene-edited crops. We discover how water management is helping UK farmers ride out the wet winter weather into spring. We’ve our regular market round-up – and all the latest commodity prices. And we get the low-down on new podcast by Somerset farmer and former MP Neil Parish – who resigned as a politician after watching porn in parliament. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johan...
Mar 15, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 197
In this episode, we find out what the last spring budget before the general election means for your farm business. NFU president Tom Bradshaw says direct action by farmers in England isn't necessary to get their message across. We've our regular market round-up – and all the latest commodity prices. And we speak to the farmer who rowed across the Atlantic to raise money for charity. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Scottish farmer Sandy Kirkpatrick. Ad...
Mar 08, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 196
In this episode, farmers are taking land out of production because wet weather and rising costs mean planting crops is just too risky. We find out what they are doing instead. Protests escalate in Wales as growers and livestock producers say government policies for agriculture will destroy their livelihoods. We've our regular market round-up – and all the latest commodity prices. And we speak to the farmer who is raising money for Ukraine with a picture signed by President Zelensky and UK Prime ...
Mar 01, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 195
In this episode, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak takes to the stage at the NFU annual conference to unveil a £220m support package for farmers. The Liberal Democrats go further – promising £4.2bn for agriculture if they win the forthcoming general election. We've all the latest market prices – and we find out what the general public really think about farming. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Scottish farmer Sandy Kirkpatrick. Additional reporting by Far...
Feb 23, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 194
Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshire. Recorded in front of a live studio audience, farmers, students and other guests quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: Climate change minister Lord Benyon Victoria Vyvyan, president of the Country Land & Business Association Rothamsted Research scientist Jonathan Storkey Charlie Ireland, farm business consultant, Ceres Ru...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr 23 min
In this episode, as farmers leader Minette Batters prepares to stand down, we reflect on her time as NFU president. Essex farmer Tom Bradshaw, who is set to replace Ms Batters, asks farmers to judge the NFU on the outcome of the Red Tractor farm assurance review. We find out about how a Scottish beef producer is benefiting from focusing on good time management on the farm. We've our regular market round-up – and all the latest commodity prices. And we meet the man who is is measuring nutrient de...
Feb 16, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 193
This week, thousands of farmers rally at Carmarthen livestock mart to protest against Welsh government policies for agriculture. Farmers and crofters attending the NFU Scotland annual conference in Glasgow give their thoughts on ways to secure a sustainable and profitable future. At the Base UK conference in Nottingham, USA-based soil health guru Jay Fuhrer gives his advice to British farmers who want to 'turn the dial' on carbon. And we look at how you can take part in this year's Big Farmland ...
Feb 09, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 192
In this episode, we discuss whether UK farmers should take to the streets following protests by French and German growers and livestock producers., We look at the impact of the wet weather on spring cropping decisions – and how growers might overcome a shortage of spring seed. The Welsh government is accused of pursuing an environmental policy which could see livestock and farmers leave the land. How should you respond? We speak to the Lincolnshire farmer who won a Yield Enhancement Network awar...
Feb 02, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 191
In this episode, we find out what's hot and what's not with thousands of farmers at the LAMMA machinery show in Birmingham. Red Tractor bosses face a call to resign as growers and livestock producers say the farm assurance scheme is too onerous and delivers little benefit. We've our regular market round-up – and all the latest commodity prices. We meet the Yorkshire livestock producer generating bigger profits by using less barley to finish his beef bulls. And we go bell-ringing with the Worcest...
Jan 19, 2024•35 min•Ep. 190
In this episode, farmers clash with supermarkets over the value of assurance as the furore over the Red Tractor scheme continues. As Minette Batters prepares to step down as NFU president, we look at her likely successor – and ask why there aren't more candidates to become union leader? How can farming recruit and retain the best people? We look at a new drive to make the UK agricultural industry more professional. We've our regular market round-up – and all the latest commodity prices. And a ne...
Jan 12, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 189
Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at the Great Yorkshire Showground. Recorded in front of a live studio audience, farmers, students and other guests quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: Defra minister Robbie Moore MP Sophie Thoup, head of agriculture and sustainable sourcing for Morrisons Guardian journalist Robyn Vinter Efra committee chairman Sir Robert Goodwill MP Fera Science executive directo...
Jan 11, 2024•1 hr 19 min
In this episode, the government unveils a big expansion of its Sustainable Farming Incentive for England – including a 10% payment hike. But is the new scheme compatible with food production? As cross-compliance is abolished and delinked payments are introduced for English farmers, who are the winners and losers? The Oxford Farming Conference theme is the Power of Diversity – in all its forms. What does that mean for farmers? We introduce the latest Farmers Weekly campaign. Called Level the Fiel...
Jan 05, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 188
In this episode, as the farming year draws to a close , we look at the prospects for UK agriculture in 2024. Which sectors will be the winners and losers? With a general election due within the next 12 months, we get to grips with food security and the NFU's manifesto for farming. Due to come into force from April 2024, how will greenhouse gas restrictions on urea fertiliser affect your farm business? And farmers on a festive farm walk help out a local food bank charity. This episode of the Farm...
Dec 20, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 187
This week, as bluetongue disease is confirmed in Norfolk, we look at what needs to be done to bring the situation under control. As more wet weather pummels the UK, we look at the options for those who won't get crops drilled this winter. We find out what revenue opportunities exist around biodiversity net gain – and the benefits it could bring to your farm business. On the markets, we've all the latest commodity prices. And two criminals are behind bars after stealing over £200,000 of farming e...
Dec 08, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 186
This week, Defra secretary Steve Barclay delivers his first major speech as he gets to grips with his new job. We examine his plans for agriculture and the countryside – and take a look at Labour's promises too when it comes to farming. What's hot and what's not when it comes to seeds? We run the rule on the recommended list for cereals and oilseeds varieties. We find out why the Welsh Assembly government is refusing to cull badgers to help combat bovine TB in cattle. We've our regular round up ...
Dec 01, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 185
Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair. Recorded in front of a live studio audience at Builth Wells, farmers quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: NFU Cymru President Aled Jones Welsh Rivers Union founder Kim Waters Llyr Gruffydd MS ( Plaid Cymru ), North Wales Anne-Marie Harries, Farmers Food At Home Professor Glyn Hewinson Sêr Cymru research chair in the Centre of Excell...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 9 min
This week, as the Chancellor unveils his latest spending plans, we find out what the Autumn Statement means for your farm business. The new president of the Country Land and Business Association pledges to get the best for rural Britain. Just how will she do it? We meet the experts working to eradicate sheep scab from a Scottish island. We've our regular round up of the latest market prices. And we preview the sale of the world's biggest collection of Massey Ferguson toys, models and memorabilia...
Nov 24, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 184
