The Farmers Weekly Podcast

Red Tractor chairman Lucy Neville-Rolfe is out after she voted against measures to protect British farmers from substandard food imports.What next for the farm assurance scheme?Growers and livestock producers take to the streets over the government's refusal to ban food imports produced using methods that are illegal in the UK.One year after footage of his flood-hit farm was beamed around the world, Henry Ward  says he fears a repeat of the disaster that left his house reachable only by boat.Capital allowances for agriculture are changing - and we've all the latest commodity prices in our latest market round-up.And could turning insects into animal feed be the next big thing?This episode co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with Farmers Weekly deputy business editor Andrew Meredith.

Assured Food Standards chairman Lucy Neville-Rolfe faces calls to resign after she voted against measures to protect British farmers from cheap food imports.Baroness Neville-Rolfe voted against amendments to the government's Agriculture Bill – in a move farmers say undermines the credibility of the AFS Red Tractor assurance scheme.The amendments sought to ensure food imports to the UK meet the same high standards as those met by British growers and livestock producers.Also on this week's podcast, Back in the USA – British beef is being sold in America for the first time in 24 years. Could China could be next on the menu?As a big supermarket chain unveils plans to source food only from UK farms that are carbon neutral, we talk to a new group formed to promote regenerative agriculture.We've all the latest market news – with arable prices climbing upwards this week, how much should you be paying for straw supplies this coming winter?And we meet Britain's Fittest Farmers – after dozens of contestants tough it out to be crowned national winners.This episode co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with Farmers Weekly business editor Suzie Horne.

In this episode,  the National Farmers Union wins a victory against the BBC after complaining about the broadcaster's “meat is killing the planet” programme.Tory rebel MPs who voted against their own government say there is still hope for British farmers who want to keep substandard food imports out of the UK.The cost of farm fires reaches a five-year high – we examine innovative ways of reducing the risk of arson and electrical faults.We've all the latest market news – and we  pay a special visit to the sheep sales at Melton Mowbray mart in LeicestershireAs fatalities involving cattle hit the headlines, could landowners be allowed to divert footpaths to keep walkers safe when livestock are in the field?And it's not about the place, it's about the people. We meet the young farmers who set up a pop-up living room at Sedgemoor livestock market in Somerset.This episode co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom with Farmers Weekly deputy business editor Andrew Meredith.

In this episode, the government says it is unlikely to accept amendments to its Agriculture Bill – find out the implications for farm businesses.Arable farmer Olly Harrison says a lorry load of his wheat was unfairly rejected. What should you do when a buyer says your grain isn't up to scratch?Industry leaders publish a blueprint they say will enable farmers to deliver the government's new environmental land management scheme.We find out whether Defra secretary George Eustice agrees.Plans are hotting up for a new way to trace livestock movements. But will they come to fruition in a way that works for you?And we speak to the Irish dairy farmer behind the global phenomenon that is Ag Mental Health Week – helping to improve wellbeing on the farm.This episode co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom with Farmers Weekly deputy business editor Andrew Meredith.

In this episode, plans to impose a 'carbon tax' on farmers who finish prime beef cattle later than 27-months-old have split industry opinion.Some farmers have welcomed the idea – but others say it would favour intensive beef production and unfairly discriminate against traditional breeds reared on grass.Meanwhile, growers have triggered a ballot on the future of AHDB Horticulture – arguing that the levy board fails to deliver value for money.With the barn doors closing on this year's cereals harvest, we take a special look at grain prices in our latest market round-up.We pump some iron – or at least go for a run – as we join the hunt for Britain's Fittest Farmer.And we celebrate the best of British Food Fortnight – with the UK's national harvest festival. There's a special royal message – and a you can take part too.This episode co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with Farmers Weekly livestock editor Rhian Price and Farmers Weekly business editor Suzie Horne.

In this week's podcast: it's raining and storms are on their way – could we be looking at a repeat of last year's wet autumn?We look at the long-term weather forecast for the coming weeks – and how it could affect your cropping plans.Growers reveal their drilling intentions for winter wheat – who is going early and who is going late? And what's the risk?We've details of an interim post-Brexit support scheme for English farmers facing the abolition of direct payments – plus our latest market prices.With the US presidential election looming, we go stateside to examine whether American farmers could win Donald Trump a second term in office.And we get the lowdown on a robotic moisture meter that 'swims' through in-store grain to help check and maintain its quality.This episode is co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with Farmers Weekly deputy business editor Andrew Meredith and Farmers Weekly arable correspondent Louise Impey.

It's a year since the National Farmers Union unveiled ambitious plans for UK agriculture to be carbon neutral within two decades.We examine whether the NFU's Net Zero 2040 target is realistic and achievable – and ask whether it goes far enough.Ongoing uncertainty over post-Brexit border arrangements between the UK and Ireland could have a huge impact on trade in agri-food products.We look at the implications for farmers after Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that food producers could face swingeing tariffs.In other news, scientists at Lancaster University say the clock is ticking on the world's soils – are they really running out?And we visit Northumberland for a British lamb barbecue as LEAF gears up for an action-packed weekend of food and virtual farm tours to welcome British Food Fortnight.

The 2020 badger cull gets under way to combat bovine tuberculosis in cattle – we meet a farmer who says it is helping tackle the disease.As the Brexit rhetoric ramps up, so too are efforts to ensure British farmers aren't undermined by a flood of cheap food imports. Will they succeed?A top UK expert explains what is really happening in trade talks – and what it means for farmers and food producers.A deadline to get a fair deal for dairy farmers is about to expire. Have you had your say and could it mean a fair price for all?And the world's biggest monthly farm machinery auction makes a welcome return after a six-month lockdown due to coronavirus.This episode co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom with Farmers Weekly deputy business editor Andrew Meredith.

Farmers will have more say in the way their levy money is spent by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).In this exclusive interview, AHDB chairman Nicholas Saphir talks about the timetable for a ballot to be held after details are finalised with the government.The decision for "root and branch reform" follows a Defra call for views from levy payers on ways to improve the way the AHDB operates.The organisation will also improve the way it communicates with farmers – and be more transparent in the way it works, suggests Mr Saphir."When will they see change? Pretty much straight away," he says.Difficult choices lie ahead to ensure the levy board delivers for farmers, he adds.Other reforms include a review of the AHDB's board and committee structure, Mr Saphir tells Farmers Weekly Podcast co-host Hugh Broom.

Government ministers and MPs are being urged to Back British Farming ahead of a crucial four months of post-Brexit trade talks.It comes amid a stark warning from a top economist who says one in three family farms could go bankrupt in the event of a no-deal Brexit.It's a challenging harvest in Yorkshire – and many other places too – we've the latest prospects and prices in our regular market round-up.The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board pledges substantial changes – and says it will let farmers decide how their levy money is spent.And Britain's most expensive broadband – a Cumbrian farmer is told he must pay more than £104,000 to get a decent connection.This episode co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.