The Farmers Weekly Podcast

In this episode, the Red Tractor assurance scheme responds to criticism by pledging to make farm audits easier for farmers.We speak to the Red Tractor interim chairman Alistair Mackintosh and operations director Philippa Wiltshire.Also in this episode – the government unveils long awaited plans to reduce pesticide usage by 10% within five years.We look at the likely impact on your farm business – and on food production.And a medical microbiologist says farmers need to remain vigilant after the first case of bird flu is confirmed in a sheep in Yorkshire.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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, farmers ramp up food production following the closure of the government's flagship environmental scheme.Arable growers who were preparing Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) applications are now drilling spring crops instead – with strong demand for spring seed and fertiliser.Natural England former head of agriculture Geoff Sansome says mistakes were made when drawing up the SFI – but the scheme should be refined rather than redesigned.Why Chancellor Rachel Reeves must avoid targeting red diesel when she unveils the government's Spring Statement.And how big food companies are investing in agriculture – and incentivising farmers to adopt more sustainable practices.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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just why did the government close its flagship agri-environment scheme without warning?We examine the options for farmers unable to join Defra's Sustainable Farming Incentive.A new study says the government must take food security and sustainable farming much more seriously.Published by the Food, Farming & Countryside Commission, the report is called Paying the Price: Cheap food, big business and the cost to farming and food security.And we ask: Is there really a future for lab grown meat?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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this emergency episode, we examine the implications of Defra's decision to stop accepting applications for its flagship agri-environment scheme.The shock announcement to draw a line under the Sustainable Farming Incentive was announced at 6pm Tuesday, 11 March.Defra gave farmers no notice of the decision, which came into effect with immediate effect, leaving would-be applicants high and dry.We look at the reasons for the announcement – and where it leaves farmers and farm businesses across England.With thanks to special guests:Martin Lines, chairman of the Nature Friendly Farming NetworkJamie Burrows, chairman of the NFU combinable crops boardEd Hutley, partner with farm business consultants Ceres RuralThis 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, a growing number of 'rebel' Labour MPs are supporting farmers against the government on inheritance tax.We have an exclusive interview with Henry Tufnell, Labour MP for Mid- and South Pembrokeshire, who is calling for a government amnesty on the issue.A warm start to spring sees UK temperatures warmer than Madrid and Barcelona – and it's only the beginning of March.We find out how farmers are adapting to climate change - and get the low-down on the farmland market.The AHDB has published a special Climate Change Adaptation report.And a livestock mart in south-west England hits out at keyboard warriors after its Monday sale is cancelled.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Additional reporting by Phil Case.Follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerFollow Louise (X): @louisearableFollow Hugh (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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we examine Defra's latest raft of new policies to boost farm profitability.Just exactly how new are they?We scrutinise the keynote speech delivered by Defra secretary Steve Reed at the NFU's annual conference in London.We preview the Pancake Day Rally against government plans to impose 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth more than £1 million.To register for the rally, click here.And we speak to the new group of succession planning experts who have formed the Succession Alliance to help farmers pass their farms on to the next generation.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerFollow Louise (X): @louisearableFollow Hugh (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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time Event at Plumpton College in East SussexRecorded in front of a live audience on Thursday, 20 February 2025, farmers and other conference delegates quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues.Our panel is: - James MacCleary, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes & Lib Dem Europe spokesperson - Flavian Obiero, the Kenyan Pig Farmer, of Tynefield Farm - Kelly Hewson-Fisher, head of rural research, Savills - Amy Jackson, agricultural communications specialist, Oxtale PR - Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, found and president, The Rural Policy GroupThis Farmers Weekly Question Time is sponsored by Savills and Lantra, the skills and training organisation for the land-based sector.Farmers Weekly Question Time is hosted by Farmers Weekly Podcast editor Johann Tasker. To attend future Farmers Weekly Question Time events, visit fwi.co.uk/questiontime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we discuss the possible outcomes after government finally agrees to talks with farm leaders on inheritance tax.Have things gone too far? Were farming protestors right to force Keir Starmer to cut short a prime ministerial visit to Milton Keynes?And should farming be higher or lower on the government's pecking order?We speak to Aberdeenshire farmer Andrew Connan – NFU Scotland's newly president – and ask him about his priorities.And Louise meets the aerospace engineer who finds out that farming is harder than rocket science.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerFollow Louise (X): @louisearableFollow Hugh (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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we look at the LEAF Marque - the farm assurance scheme that delivers benefits for consumers and the environment – as well as for farmers.We find out what makes it work, why it is becoming so popular – and why supermarkets are so keen to work alongside LEAF food producers.We speak to Oxbury Bank – the latest lender offering a special deal to farmers who want to farm more sustainably.We visit an upbeat DairyTech event at Stoneleigh – and talk to the winner of the NMR Gold Cup, presented by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.We've all the latest market prices – and we discover why it's so important to join this month's Big Farmland Bird Count.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerFollow Louise (X): @louisearableFollow Hugh (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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we look at government plans to reduce the area of UK farmland – and use it instead to restore nature and create wildlife habitats.The government's Land Use Framework for England – which is out for consultation – will earmark different areas of land for different uses.Objectives include food production, building 1.5 million homes this parliament, and helping to mitigate climate change.We examine what this means for key areas such as the Fens, with a visit to the Fenland Soil Conference in Ely, Cambridgeshire.With beef prices reaching record highs, we look at the prospects for the sector for farmers – and the price of steak for consumers.And as the battle over inheritance tax continues, we look at how banks say they are trying to support growers and livestock producers.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerFollow Louise (X): @louisearableFollow Hugh (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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.