How tractor scam cost farmer £8.5k, cold snap slows crop progress, pig prices, farm road safety warning, & school children make Countryside Code video

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 fatal accident.

And school children in the Lake District make a special film welcoming tourists and encouraging visitors to act responsibly in the countryside.

The NFU farm safety webinar mentioned in this episode can be seen in full here. The Tilly Pass farm safety check website is www.tillypass.co.uk.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with FW correspondent Debbie James.