Farmers Weekly Podcaster

This week, tenant farmers accuse the government of taking a “pick and mix” approach to reform of the tenanted sector in England. It follows the government's long-awaited response to last autumn's Rock Review, set up to provide a framework for a more resilient tenanted sector. We hear about the future for the UK's small abattoirs – and how a resurge…

This week, Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper and Rishi Sunak pose for the cameras at No. 10 Downing Street. So was the Prime Minister's Farm to Fork summit just a PR stunt? Or is the government finally taking food security seriously? We take a trip to Ireland, where livestock producers are racing ahead of UK farmers when it comes to environmental f…

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. Recorded in front of a live studio audience, farmers, students and other guests quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: Former Defra secretary Rt Hon. George Eustice MP…

In this episode, as Rishi Sunak summons farm leaders to Downing Street, we ask: what can we expect from the Prime Minister's food summit? High inflation has made food increasingly unaffordable for many consumers – but many farmers say high input costs mean food is actually too cheap. Where does the truth lie? Meanwhile, MPs slam Defra's IT systems …

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 …

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 …

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 Conservativ…

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 – …

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 – …

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 far…

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 di…

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 iP…

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 …

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 prosp…

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 F…

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 discov…

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 R…

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 Sco…

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 L…

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 Farme…

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 Co…

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…

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 repl…

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…

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…

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 …

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 cha…

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…

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 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 de…

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 t…

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…

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 restricti…

In this episode, could solar panels really be banned from much of England's farmland? We look at the reasons for and against. How milking just 10 times in seven days could mean a better work-life balance for dairy farmers – and be good for the cows and profitability too. As lamb exports resume from the UK to the USA after more than 20 years, we loo…

In this episode, the government unveils plans to boost farm productivity and food security. But how exactly will it do it? How was it for you? We have the verdict on this year's wheat harvest – which varieties performed ø– and which didn't. We visit the farming couple who taught themselves to milk from YouTube – and are going great guns after start…

This week, with the UK money markets in turmoil – we examine the impact of the government's 'mini-budget' on your farm business. As Defra confirms it is "rapidly reviewing" its flagship Environmental Land Management scheme – we ask: what is the future for ELMs? We meet the dairy farmer making bokashi – fermenting muck and slurry to retain more nutr…

In this episode, arson attacks on farms are on the increase – with culprits torching straw stacks and property going up in smoke. The cost is immense, with damage often totalling tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds and farmers concerned for their livelihoods. So what can be done? We examine the winter outlook for drought-hit livestock farmers, …

In this episode, we profile new Defra secretary Ranil Jayawardena and examine the challenges faced by UK agriculture. We speak to Norfolk farmer Kit Papworth as he prepares to take on a new role as Red Tractor combinable crops and sugar beet sector chairman. As Prince William takes on the 52,000ha Duchy of Cornwall estate, we find out how you pass …

This special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is dedicated in its entirety to the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on 8 September 2022. In a series of specially recorded interviews for Farmers Weekly, farmers recall the times they met the Queen and her in-depth knowledge of agriculture. Farmers reflect on the Queen's ability to put …

In this episode, Liz Truss outlines her priorities for farmers as she seeks to become Conservative Party leader and the UK's next Prime Minister. A farm worker has an extremely lucky escape when his articulated trailer overturns – and so does the tractor pulling it. On the markets, we find out why there's a big surge in on-farm machinery sales. It'…

In this episode, how a decision to shut down ammonia production will affect the market for UK fertiliser – and impact the livestock sector. How a new buying group – started by a Darlington livestock farmer – could help your business beat farm input inflation and raise money for charity. On the markets, we have a harvest round-up, including all the …

In this episode, will the UK's next Prime Minister be good for farming? Conservative Party leadership candidate Rishi Sunak holds a live Q&A in person and online at the National Farmers Union headquarters at Stoneleigh. Farm leaders say the government must do more to ease the labour shortage and drought pressures on growers and livestock producers.…

As drought is declared across eastern, central and southern England, we assess the impact on the livestock and arable sectors. We look at the prospects for grazing, winter forage and animal health – and examine the best time to drill oilseed rape. And we speak to the onion grower who is giving away his crop after hot, dry weather meant it failed to…

In this episode, we examine why criminals are returning to the countryside – sparking a 40% increase in rural theft – and what farmers can do about it. Are you ready for Rishi? Or do you want Liz for leader – we ask growers and livestock producers who should be the UK's next Prime Minister? On the markets... we head to one of the season's first she…

In this episode, lack of detail about government plans for agriculture is denting farmer confidence to invest in their businesses. Defra farm minister Victoria Prentis says farmers must learn to live with uncertainty – despite calls for clarity on farm policy. We examine the UK's first post-Brexit trade agreement – why isn't the Australia-UK trade …

In this episode, the hottest harvest ever – how was it for you? We have a full report, including field fires, overheating grain and an interview with the farmer where the UK temperature reached a record-breaking 40.3 degrees. As MPs launch an inquiry into the government's Environmental Land Management scheme (ELM) for England, we ask: is it deliver…

In this episode, with the UK heatwave set to see temperatures climb towards a record-breaking 40ºC, we ask could it simply become too hot to harvest? As the latest farm fatality figures are released, we look ahead to Farm Safety Week – and the 10th anniversary of the Farm Safety Foundation. On the markets, we examine why commodity prices have eased…

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – brought to you in association with plant breeders Limagrain UK. Rising input costs, market volatility and climate change all mean more robust wheat varieties are increasingly sought after. Better genetics mean better performance – agronomically as well as financially – both in the fiel…

In this episode, hot weather has prompted heat stress warnings for UK crops and livestock – we look at the options for farmers. Young farmers join forces to combat rural crime in Cumbria – how a new initiative to reduce farm theft could be rolled out across the country. On the markets, as the UK cereal harvest continues, we've all the latest commod…