

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

Aug 22, 2025 • 45min
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 • 47min
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 • 46min
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 • 47min
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 • 49min
'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 • 53min
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 • 51min
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.

Jul 7, 2025 • 49min
Groundswell 2025: £150m in capital grants for farmers, former Defra adviser on farming future, how to unlock nature markets, big business invests in farming, AHDB chief exec plans for farm levies
In this episode, a former Defra adviser says the government must win back farmers' trust if it is serious about successful agriculture.The government unveils £150m in capital grants for farmers – we look at what the money is likely to fund and how it will work.We find out about new funding opportunities for farmers – thanks to private investment from big corporations.We spend two days at Groundswell 2025, the regenerative agriculture festival, and look at the options for growers and livestock producers.And we speak to Emily Norton – the new chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development board – about her plans for farm levies.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.

Jun 27, 2025 • 52min
Early start for harvest 2025, moisture meters, why it's gone quiet on inheritance tax, Fram Farmers trials day, & CowPie Country Show
In this episode, we preview the early start to harvest 2025 as the first combines roll into barley crops.One year after the Labour came to power, we ask why farm leaders have gone so quiet on government plans to impose inheritance on farmers.We visit a Fram Farmers trials day in Suffolk – and Hugh goes to his local Cowpie Country Fair.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.

Jun 21, 2025 • 43min
Red Tractor must avoid 'fudged' reform, bluetongue restriction havoc in Wales, Scottish beef at the Royal Highland Show, Farming Rules for Water, and more on skylarks at Cereals
Andrew Watts, a Hertfordshire grower and former NFU Combinable Crops chairman, shares his insights on vital reforms needed for the Red Tractor assurance scheme to restore farmer confidence. He discusses the challenges posed by bluetongue disease restrictions affecting livestock movement between England and Wales, highlighting the frustrations of farmers. Additionally, listeners get a peek into the Royal Highland Show, with important updates on competition and initiatives supporting young farmers, alongside the latest regulations on muck spreading and water management.


