The Farmers Weekly Podcast

This week, we speak to the victim of a £1m farm arson attack – after the teenage arsonist behind the blaze is told to pay just £61 by the court.Farm incomes will be hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis this year, says a report. We look the options for farmers.On the markets, we talk beef and lamb prices in the north and find out the winner of this week's Commodity Cashback competition.We've a special update on the government's animal health pathway – and get the latest on bovine tuberculosis.And two peas in a pod – we find out how pea growers are making the most of Valentine's Day.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.

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 Farmers Weekly Question Time event.We visit DairyTech, where we gauge industry reaction to rapidly changing sentiment in the milk market.We find out how a Lincolnshire farmer grew a world record crop of wheat.We've all the market prices and find out the winner of this week's Commodity Cashback competition.And with the second series of Clarkson's Farm about to hit our TV screens, we ask is Jeremy Clarkson still a good ambassador for farming?This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom. Additional reporting by Abi Kay and Louise Impey.To 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 88440. Texts are charged at your network provider's regular rate.

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 SpencerHarper Adams vice chancellor Michael LeeVicki Hird, head of farming at SustainMerseyside farmer and YouTube influencer Olly HarrisonQuestions include:What is the best way to encourage farmers to take part in Defra's Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme?How can the outcomes and value of ELM be measured without any baselining before the scheme starts?With land expensive and finance scarce, what is the best way for youngsters to get into farming?Will trade deals between the UK and other countries be good or bad for the sustainability of UK agriculture?Does the panel agree with the principle that consumers must pay the real cost of food?What should be done to secure UK food production from the loss of agricultural land for large-scale tree-planting projects, including the purchase of family farms for carbon offsetting by large corporations?Is Jeremy Clarkson still a good ambassador for UK agriculture? Or should he be cancelled?Sponsored by Lloyds Bank and AB Agri, this Question Time event was recorded on Thursday, 2 February 2023.Hosted by Farmers Weekly Podcast editor Johann Tasker.

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 Coffey.Meanwhile, the National Farmers Union unveils plans to restructure its regional operations in a bid to cut costs for its 50,000 members.We look at how farmers once blamed for polluting the River Wye in Herefordshire are playing a key role in cleaning it up.On the markets, we've all the latest prices – and we find out the winner of this week's Commodity Cashback competitionAnd we meet the author of a new cook book – No Fuss Meals for Busy Parents – using ingredients from British farmers.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker with Surrey farmer Hugh Broom. Additional reporting by Abi Kay, Louise Impey and Phil Case.To 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 88440. Texts are charged at your network provider's regular rate.

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 discover the winner of this week's Commodity Cashback competition.Grain storage co-ops join forces in a bid to combat high energy costs.And we look at work opportunities available for young Brits who want to travel, visit the USA, and get a job in farming abroad. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with additional reporting by FW deputy editor Abi Kay.To 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 88440. Texts are charged at your network provider's regular rate.

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 replace red diesel.We launch our Commodity Cashback competition – and your chance to win £50 by predicting next week's commodity prices.We meet the farm machinery enthusiasts who restored a vintage John Deere tractor.And we talk to the Northern Irish entrepreneur, inventor and winner of the Young Engineer of the Year Award.To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, text the word FARM followed by your message to 88440. Texts charged at your regular provider's rate.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.

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 of farmers is reaping the benefits after deciding to run their own environmental facilitation group.On the markets, we've all the latest commodity prices.And food and farming has been recognised in the New Year Honours  – with a special award for a farm safety campaigner.To contact us at the Farmers Weekly Podcast, text the word FARM  followed by your message to 88440 – or email podcast@fwi.co.uk.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom. Additional reporting by Phil Case.

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 a big challenge for growers and livestock producers agriculture in 2023.Farm business consultant Sebastian Graf Baker says soil health is arguably more important than ever when it comes to combinable crop margins. And dairy specialist Mike Horton says the red meat and milk sectors face some  mixed fortunes over the coming 12 months.For more information about the prospects for your farm sector, do look at your copy of Farmers Weekly dated December 30 2022.You can also visit the Farmers Weekly website at fwi.co.uk.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is hosted by Johann Tasker.

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 pricesWe run the rule over the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board's red meat strategy for the beef and lamb sectors.And we meet the Cornish landowner who has restored an old tin mine.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.Additional reporting by Phil Case, Judith Tooth and Charlotte Cunningham.

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 chairman Tony Juniper.On the markets, we've all the latest prices and take a special look at the recovery prospects for the UK pig sector.We give our verdict on the latest recommended cereal and oilseed rape varieties from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.And we pay tribute to farmer, rugby superstar and motor neurone disease campaigner Doddie Weir, who has died at the age of 52.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.Additional reporting by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Phil Case and Farmers Weekly arable correspondent Louise Impey.