Countryside stewardship uplift, hare-coursing clampdown, Asda ditches beef import pledge, Ed Sheeran and rewilding, & young farmers collect Christmas trees for charity.

In this episode, Defra announces a 30% increase in Countryside Stewardship payments  in England– but does it stack up?

The government unveils crackdown against the crime of hare-coursing . Will it really help stop the illegal activity.

Livestock farmers vent their frustration after Asda decides to source beef from Ireland, rather than buying British.

Pop star Ed Sheeran says he wants to buy as much land as possible – and rewild the UK. Is he just another mis-guided celebrity?

On the markets – the latest arable prices into the New Year

And we meet the young farmers raising money for charity by collecting and recycling Christmas trees.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.