

The Farmers Weekly Podcast
Farmers Weekly
The inside track on the biggest stories affecting UK agriculture - with Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Every Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 12, 2025 • 47min
Stewardship cliff-edge, Back British Farming Day, Agroforestry Show & beef-calf strategy at Dairy Day
In this episode, thousands of farmers face a cliff-edge when their countryside stewardship agreements expire – with nothing to replace them.Those with mid-tier schemes running out at the end of this year – just three months away – are left facing a stark choice: maintain beneficial environmental features at their own expense, or destroy them up and plant them with crops to earn some much-needed income.The dilemma could be resolved by a Defra announcement – but departmental delays mean the clock is ticking and time is running out.It's Back British Farming Day - what better timing for Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds to deliver her first speech as minister to farmers?We visit the Agroforestry Show – and a new beef-calf strategy is launched for milk producers.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow Louise (X): @louisearableContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Sep 6, 2025 • 42min
New Defra secretary Emma Reynolds – what can we expect? Confusion over funding for Young Farmers, bovine TB, and school launches BTEC in agriculture
In this episode, we look at what farmers can expect from new Defra secretary Emma Reynolds - her policies and personality.To discuss that and more, we’re joined by Jonathan Reynolds, director of external affairs at the Country Land and Business Association.The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs says it has been told it will no longer receive a Defra grant – Defra says the suggestion is "false".Who is right?Shadow farm minister Robbie Moore gives us his thoughts.And sixth-formers at a Lincolnshire school can now study agriculture – we speak to their headteacher and find out all about the new course.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow Louise (X): @louisearableContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Aug 29, 2025 • 41min
Farmers help firefighters battle huge moorland blaze, hay and straw shortage, pig and poultry pollution, & warning over safe tractor driving
In this episode, farmers are helping firefighters battle a huge moorland blaze in Yorkshire.Farmers are using slurry tankers to deliver water to fire crews fighting flames which have engulfed thousands of acres of the Yorkshire Moors.Hot weather and lack of rain has seen hay and straw is imported into the UK from France to help drought-hit livestock farmers.Pollution from pig and poultry production is being targeted by wildlife campaigners – but do their claims add up?And we speak to the policeman who is reminding tractor drivers to stay safe on the road.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow Louise (X): @louisearableContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Aug 22, 2025 • 43min
Oilseed rape - surprise crop of the year? Sugar beet price, food price inflation, more on electronic tagging, and tributes to David Richardson
Harvest has been hugely variable this summer – with many growers in prime arable areas reporting terrible cereal yields.But has one crop bucked the trend?After years of decline and disappointment, oilseed rape is having a bit of a moment.Could it, perhaps, be crop of the year?Is £30/t an acceptable price for sugar beet? We find out.We’ve more on electronic tagging for cattle.Just what’s driving up food price inflation?And we pay tribute to farmer and veteran broadcaster David Richardson.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Aug 15, 2025 • 45min
AHDB harvest error, alternative inheritance tax plan, Vivergo bioethanol plant, drought, & electronic ID for cattle
A data error means the latest harvest progress report over-estimates yields – and triggers an investigation by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.Why wasn't the report right in the first place?Industry leaders give a mixed reaction to the latest inheritance tax proposals.And one of Britain's biggest livestock auctioneers voices concern at differences in electronic identification systems for cattle between England and Scotland.We also look at the latest drought situation and the impact of the government's refusal to bailout the UK's largest bioethanol plant.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Aug 8, 2025 • 45min
Kemi Badenoch hits out on inheritance tax, dairy farmer crowdfunds renewable energy project, harvest update & deep dive into autumn weed control
In this episode, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch visits an Essex farm – meeting farmers to talk about inheritance tax.We’ve an exclusive interview.We meet the Yorkshire dairy farmer who is starting a renewable energy company – and powering up the local community.And we take an in-depth look at autumn weed control.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow Louise (X): @louisearableContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Aug 1, 2025 • 46min
Donald Trump on farm inheritance tax, 4WD electric pickup 'gamechanger', Clarkson's Farm goes down with bovine TB, & farmer leaves £500k to charity
In this episode, Donald Trump leaves UK prime minister Keir Starmer in stony silence as he explains why American farmers don’t pay inheritance tax.But would British farmers really be better off if President Trump was in charge of UK agriculture?Is it time to get an electric farm pickup – we look at the latest fully electric truck as it goes on sale in the UK.Jeremy Clarkson’s farm goes down with bovine tuberculosis – and a Scottish beef producer leaves almost half a million pounds to a farming charity.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow Louise (X): @louisearableContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Jul 28, 2025 • 47min
'Godfather' of regenerative agriculture Gabe Brown on future of farming, support for nature-friendly food production, & plan to monetise farm data
In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the future of regenerative agriculture and examine whether it is right for your farm.We have a special interview with American farmer Gabe Brown, described as the 'god father' of regenerative agriculture, as he visits the UK.We discuss the role of government support when it comes to agro-ecology and nature-friendly farming practices.And we look at plans for a not-for-profit National Agency for Smart Data in Agriculture (NASDA) to help farmers monetise their farm data safely and confidentially.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow Louise (X): @louisearableContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Jul 18, 2025 • 54min
Former British Lion Tom Youngs talks rugby and farming, progress on national food strategy, Sustainable Farming Scheme for Wales, & variable catchy harvest
In this episode, former British Lion Tom Youngs shares his thoughts on farming and rugby.We run the rule on the government’s latest iteration of a national food strategy - and discuss the implications for farmers.NFU Cymru president Aled Jones voices concern about the newly announced Sustainable Farming Scheme for Wales.And we look at the ups and downs of harvest ahead of the market prices.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow Louise (X): @louisearableContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Jul 11, 2025 • 50min
Drought and wildfire warning, new Tesco boss backs farmers, parts suppliers frustration, growing olives in Lincolnshire
In this episode, as drought is declared in Yorkshire, we look at the impact of the dry weather across the country.Scotland faces a wildfire warning – following a 30,000 acre blaze which saw farmers and game-keepers come together to fight the flames.Tesco's new chief executive Ashwin Prasad gets out on farm – just a week into the job – saying he wants to work in partnership with farmers.Hugh has a problem getting replacement parts for his topper.And a Lincolnshire farmer establishes a 10ha olive grove near Spalding with big plans to produce high-quality virgin olive oil.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow Louise (X): @louisearableContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.