The Farmers Weekly Podcast

In this week's podcast, MPs and fire chiefs side with farmers who want people banned from releasing sky lanterns as a show of support for the NHS during the coronavirus crisis.We talk to Hampshire fire chief Neil Odin, who says the emergency services have enough to deal with without having to fight fires caused by the lanterns.Meanwhile long-awaited government report is set to see changes for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, says former AHDB chairman Sir Peter Kendall.The yet-to-be published document follows a review of the AHDB's role and activities – which has so far been more than 18 months in the making.In our markets round-up, it's a tale of up horn but down corn this week, with wheat prices easing but lamb showing signs of a slight recovery.On a global level, we take a trip across the Atlantic to see how coronavirus is affecting agriculture in the USA, particularly farmers in Minnesota.And with British Beef Week celebrating its 10th anniversary this month, we have a special interview with Jilly Greed, co-founder of Ladies in Beef.Co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with Farmers Weekly business editor Suzie Horne.

Turmoil in the dairy supply chain due to Covid-19 is forcing UK farmers to throw away thousands of litres of milk. We speak to Staffordshire dairy farmer Peter Pratt and NFY Cymru dairy board chair Abi Reader.Agrovista agronomist Linda Sheppard has a special look at all things arable – and Jeff Fieldsend of FMC Agro explains how a new mutation of yellow rust disease is threatening winter wheat crops across the country.Beef farmers are up in arms about shipments of cheap mince arriving in the UK from Poland. Neil Shand of the National Beef Association says it is unacceptable for British producers to take more pain.And Jill Hewitt of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors explains how an online match-making service is hooking up sheep shearers looking for work with farmers who have flocks in need of a trim.Finally, we look at Lockdown Learning – a new initiative giving children stuck at home because of coronavirus a taste of the countryside. Simon Haley of EatFarmNow and Anna Jones of Just Farmers are two of the people involved.Co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom – with Farmers Weekly deputy business editor Andrew Meredith.

What is the risk of catching coronavirus from walkers using footpaths across farmland? We find out by talking to Professor Mark Fielder, of Kingston University London, president of the Society of Microbiology.We also look at spring cropping progress with Yorkshire agronomist Patrick Stephenson; discuss the latest dairy market news with Farmers Weekly business editor Suzie Horne; and examine the impact of chip shop closures on potato growers with Cambridgeshire farmer Tom Clarke.The challenges facing the beef and lamb sectors - and livestock markets - are scrutinised with NFU chief livestock adviser John Royle, auctioneer Richard Evans (Welshpool mart) and Andrew Loftus of SellMyLivestock.Finally, young farmers explain how they are delivering food and essential to elderly and vulnerable people in countryside communities - with Sam Oates (Probus YFC); Georgia Betts & Holly White (Workshop YFC).This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.