The Farmers Weekly Podcast

In this episode, farmers in England are to receive advance support payments – as the government tries to each a cashflow crisis caused by soaring input costs.We speak to Defra farm minister Victoria Prentis – who explains why farmers will receive half their basic payment for 2022 six months early.We visit the water company which is paying farmers to look after our rivers – by reducing fertiliser applications and planting trees.Insect protein in animal diets – we discover how UK legislation is holding back what many people believe is the future for livestock feed.On the markets, will oilseed rape prices ever stop risingAnd we meet a first-time farmer from Huddersfield who is making a success of pasture-based poultry – rearing chickens on grass.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey Farmer Hugh Broom, with deputy livestock editor Charlotte Cunningham.

In this episode, as bird flu restrictions are finally lifted after six months, we examine the prospects for egg prices. Are producers getting a fair deal?As the 12th annual celebration that is British Beef Week draws to a close – we look at the future for UK suckler cow producers.We talk to NFU president Minette Batters as the union launches its agri-food export strategy – and we have all the latest market prices.With a week left to have your say on the future of the AHDB, we find out what happens after the Shape The Future vote ends at midday on 9 May.And we catch up with former NFU deputy president Stuart Roberts, who is helping to draft the Liberal Democrats manifesto for farming.We also reflect on the career of Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiston, who has resigned after watching pornography while in Parliament.Mr Parish was chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, which scrutinises the government's food and farming policies.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom. To contact us, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.

In this episode, as farm input costs soar, we ask: how can farmers mitigate the impact of ag-inflation on their businesses?Input costs have risen by a whopping 46% over the past 18 months, according to the AgInflation Index, published by the AF Group.We visit a group of farmers working to improve soil carbon – benefiting their businesses as well as helping to reach Net Zero targets.On the  markets, we're ringside with the latest beef and sheep update from Skipton mart.Find out how you can take part in Open Farm Sunday – and help spread the farming message.And we go inside the Health Hut – a mobile health centre which is making it easier for farmers to look after themselves in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk.

In this episode, industry leaders pay tribute to 'greatest ever' farming advocate Lord Henry Plumb, who has died aged 97.We look at the payment rates for the Sustainable Farming Incentive and ask: how can the government entice more farmers to take part?On the markets, we have the all latest commodity prices.Farm management company Velcourt acquires a 50% stake in the regenerative agriculture consultancy Oakbank Game & Conservation. How significant is it?The first UK plantations of carbon-capturing tree species Paulownia are due to be planted on a Suffolk estate – what income will they generate?And we meet the agricultural contractor who has traced one of his first tractors – 50 years after he last used it on the farm.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with FW arable correspondent Louise Impey.

In this episode – as frustration builds at the challenges faced by farmers, a new poll shows the UK government is falling out of favour with rural voters.We ask: Is the party over for the Conservatives in the countryside?There is an air of optimism at the DairyTech event – but what exactly are the prospects for milk production when input costs continue to climb?On the markets, we look at the latest grain prices.We find out how small farms are using ethical crowd-funding to start new enterprises and fund business expansion.And we meet meet the Londoner who turned his entire allotment into a wheat field so he could make a home-grown pizzaFull of news, views and analysis, this episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey Farmer Hugh Broom.To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk. 

In this episode,  the government confirms a reprieve for urea fertiliser – easing fears of an outright ban and delaying restrictions by at least a year.And long-awaited clarity on farming rules for water will make it simpler for farmers in England to apply manure and slurry this autumn.The concessions are included in a raft of measures to help farmers in England cope with a sharp rise in fertiliser prices, which have reached record levels.As Defra prepares to launch its retirement scheme for farmers, we ask: is it safe to be doing farm work full-time when you're nearly 90?We find out why organic farmers and growers think the government should be doing more to recognise the value of organic agriculture.And in an April Fools prank, we pay a visit to the regenerative farmers celebrating Min-Till Monday – is it really the sustainable answer to Plough Sunday?This, the 100th episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with Farmers Weekly arable correspondent Louise Impey.

In this episode, it's mainly all about the money.What does the UK government's latest spring budget statement mean for your farm business? Two experts give us their views.Rob Hitch from accountants Dodd & Co and Gary Markham from Land Family Business examine the likely impact on the livestock and arable sectors.How will the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board make up a £4m shortfall after being told it is no longer exempt from VAT rules?It's the latest in a series of challenges faced by AHDB chief executive Tim Rycroft who also addresses concerns about key employees leaving the levy board.On the markets, dairy giant Arla  says it wants to recruit more farmers as suppliers as it unveils a five-year plan to secure more value from milk.We find out how sheep producers are lambing without antibiotics – and look at new sheep movement rules.And we speak to the agricultural  contractor and farm safety campaigner who rebuilt his life after losing his left arm in a potato harvester accident.The video with James Bannister, chairman of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, can be found here.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with Farmers Weekly senior livestock reporter Michael Priestley.

In this episode – why isn't the UK government doing more to encourage food production?We examine concerns over rising input costs, food imports and the government's environmental policies for farmers.Fertiliser prices are high, availability is low – will it be worth growing wheat next year? Will digital grain passports really add value and make life easier for growers?On the markets, cull cow prices surge.Jeremy Clarkson joins farmers on the vegan menu picket line in Oxfordshire. Why doesn't  the local authority want to serve meat to councillors?And we look at opportunities for young farmers to get their businesses fit for the future – with help from the Allerton Project.The online Fit for Future Farm Business guide is available on the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs website.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom with senior livestock reporter Michael Priestley.Additional reporting by news editor Phil Case and news reporter Ed Henderson.

In this episode: is ramping up UK farm output the answer to food supply problems caused by conflict in Ukraine?Do government leaders and policy-makers need to rebalance the relationship between food production and  environmental schemes? We ask two farmers.On the markets, we look at fertiliser prices – and ask how high can they go?We get some important advice about tractor tyres as we join 350 farmers attending the UK's first regional farm safety day.And we hear from the farmer who welcomed a team of volunteers to plant 4km of new hedgerow – in just four weeks.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.

This episode examines the impact of the war in Ukraine – both on farmers caught up in the conflict and on farmers in the UK.We look at the effect that war is having on supplies and prices of grain and animal feed – as well as the cost and availability of farm inputs like fuel and fertiliser.The AHDB fertiliser calculator mentioned in this episode can help UK growers decide how much nitrogen it is worth applying to cereals and oilseeds.The UK farmers in this podcast who are organising aid to send to Ukraine can be contacted via Twitter at @ukrainefood.The  Polish Humanitarian Action fund, which is also mentioned in this podcast, is working to help Ukrainian refugees arriving in Poland.The following organisations and initiatives may also be useful for listeners wanting to donate to aid efforts to help Ukrainian refugees:Disasters Emergency Committee OxfamRed CrossSalvation ArmyUnicefThis episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom with Farmers Weekly arable correspondent Louise Impey.