The Farmers Weekly Podcast

In this episode, we run the rule over Defra's new food security index – will it really mean a better deal for British farmers?We get the lowdown on Rishi Sunak's second Farm to Fork Summit – and ask whether the Prime Minister's garden party for food producers will achieve anything?Is it positive for pigs? An upbeat Pig and Poultry Fair suggests the sector is on the road to recovery. But is it enough to see off shadows on the horizon?How technology is helping to optimise farm margins in a challenging year for arable growers and livestock farmers.The two pieces of technology mentioned in this item are the free Ruumi grazing app and Yagro's crop tracker software.We’ve got our regular market roundup and the latest commodity prices.And we meet the female farmer who hopes to shear more than 400 sheep in 24 hours for charity – despite having had 11 knee operations.To go along and support Rosie Hazlewood during her sheep shearing challenge – or simply to make a donation, please visit her Facebook page.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and  Scottish farmer Sandy Kirkpatrick with additional reporting by Phil Case.You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this episode, Defra secretary Steve Barclay promises more support for farmers following a challenging wet winter and spring.Mr Barclay made the pledge in a keynote speech at the Farmers Weekly Transition Live event in Cambridgeshire on Thursday, 9 May 2024.This episode of the Farmers Weeky Podcast was recorded on location at the event – held at Cambridge University's Park Farm, Madingley.More than 400 visitors attended Transition Live, aimed at helping secure a profitable and sustainable future for farm businesses.Co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Farmers Weekly arable correspondent Louise Impey, with additional reporting by Abi Kay and Charlie Reeve.You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

 In this episode, industry leaders voice concern after the Health and Safety Executive says it will no longer take a pro-active approach to farm safety.It's been a sticky few year's for farming’s levy board. So what's next?We meet Graham Wilkinson, the new chief executive at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.Milk prices keep climbing – but what about the different dairy sectors?We’ve our regular market roundup and a look at all the latest commoditiesAnd we find out how farmers are encouraging a worm charming revival.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Sandy Kirkpatrick, with additional reporting by Charlie Reeve.You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this episode, well-wishers raise more than £30,000 for a farmer who sustained life-changing injuries in an workplace accident.It comes amid pleas for growers and livestock producers to take extra care as they try to catch up on fieldwork delayed by the wet spring.If you would like to help out after hearing Tim Parton's story, you can do so by making a donation to the Tim Parton Rehabilitation Fund.Bosses at the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme face calls for a vote of no confidence in their management. What happens next?We've the latest market prices – and we visit Scotland to look at livestock marts, where we get the low-down on trade.We look at the future for beef production – and discover the opportunities to be had from using software to measure performance.And we learn about trailer safety, with a little help help from a simple but effective gadget: the Agrikel towing eye gauge.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Sandy Kirkpatrick, with additional reporting by Philip Case, Abi Kay, Charlie Reeve and Michael Priestley.You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this episode, we dicuss what viewers can expect from the new series of the hit TV show Clarkson's Farm.With fuel prices set to rise, we examine the prospects for red diesel.Herbal leys – are they really the simple option for livestock producers wanting easy money from the Sustainable Farming Incentive?How space food from a vertical farm in orbit could benefit farmers back on Earth.And we pull on our sports gear and go for a jog with the farming charity runners taking part in this year's London Marathon*.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Sandy Kirkpatrick with additional reporting by Michael Priestley, Charlie Reeve and Matilda Bovingdon. You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.* If you would like to make a donation, London Marathon runners and their chosen charities include:Edd Mowbray, ABC Communications, Headway, the brain injury associationPhilip Case, Farmers Weekly, Farming Community NetworkEmma Crosby, Jen Cox and Lizzy Milne, NFU, Farm AfricaFlora Archer, NFU, East Anglian Air Ambulance

In this episode, the government relaxes flood compensation rules after one of the UK's worst flood-hit farmers found himself ineligible for payment.Tenant farmers call for talks with landowners who want  to take back farmland so they can claim inheritance tax relief.We've all the latest market prices – and take a special look at the record-breaking trade in spring lamb this year.Plans for a huge solar farm covering 800ha (2000 acres) has divided farmers and rural communities in Wiltshire.And we go for a ride with a 60-year-old farm machinery enthusiast on a 60-year-old vintage tractor – all for a good cause.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Sandy Kirkpatrick with additional reporting by Philip Case, Matilda Bovingdon, Charlie Reeve and Georgie Green.You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this episode, beef farmers fear they could be driven out of business by government plans to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.A police investigation continues – one year after Farmers Weekly blew the whistle on a food safety scandal involving illegal meat.We’ve our regular market roundup and all the latest commodity prices.And we visit the farmers who are sharing a sauna to improve their mental wellbeing.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Farmers Weekly deputy editor Abi Kay.You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this episode, farmers drive dozens of tractors through central London and call for a better deal from the Westminster government.Why won’t Defra do more to keep illegal meat imports out of the country?We’ve more on the government's decision to limit the amount of land entered into its Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme.And #AreEWEok? We speak to the Scottish young farmers highlighting the importance of mental wellbeing at lambing time.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Scottish farmer Sandy Kirkpatrick.Additional reporting by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Phil Case and Pig World editor Alistair Driver.You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this emergency podcast, we get to grips with Defra's announcement placing restrictions on land going into the Sustainable Farming Incentive.Under the changes, SFI applicants will only be able to put 25% of their land into six SFI actions that take land out of direct food production.The announcement was made by Defra on Monday 25 March 2024 – and applies to new applications to the flagship agri-environment scheme.Joining podcast host Johann Tasker to make sense of the Defra announcement and what the restrictions mean for farmers are:Farmers Weekly arable correspondent Louise ImpeyAgronomist Andrew Wells of the Arable Alliance and Association of Independent Crop ConsultantsFarm business consultant and independent agronomist George Catchpole of Ceres RuralThe full Defra announcement can be seen here.Do catch up with our regular Farmers Weekly Podcast every Friday with Johann Tasker and Scottish farmer Sandy Kirkpatrick,To contact Johann and Sandy, email podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this episode, Red Tractor Assurance abandons plans for farmers to carbon footprint their businesses under its Greener Farms Commitment.We find out what growers are doing while waiting to see if the weather will dry up in time to plant spring cereal crops.Are agronomists about to become obsolete? We discover how artificial intelligence promises to benefit your farm business.And a mass choir of Scottish farmers sings their heart out at Perth Concert Hall - and raises £46,000 for charity.You can find out more about the Farmers Choir on their Facebook page.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Scottish farmer Sandy Kirkpatrick.Additional reporting by Farmers Weekly editor Andrew Meredith, Farmers Weekly arable correspondent Louise Impey, and agricultural journalist Mike Abram.You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.