The Farmers Weekly Podcast

In this episode, we get to grips government grants to fund on-farm innovation and technology to improve productivity. With British Beef Week around the corner (23-30 April), we run the rule over the NFU's 10-year vision for the UK's beef industry. We look at why farm hedges could be the latest victim of the government's decision to close the Sustainable Farming Incentive to new applications. And we find out why singing sweary farmers are all the rage in Oxfordshire.

In this episode, the government appoints former NFU president Minette Batters to lead a Defra review to solve farming's 'profitability problem'. Her appointment – by Defra secretary Steve Reed – aims to help growers and livestock producers increase their profit and financial resilience. We ask three experts what Baroness Batters should really be looking at – and whether farmers should be encouraged to diversify. Emily Norton, from Farm Foresight [https://farmforesight.co.uk/]; Richard King, from Andersons [https://andersonsltd.me.uk/] farm business consultants; and Jonathan Armitage, from Strutt & Parker [https://rural.struttandparker.com/specialism/farming], share their thoughts. We get out in the field, where resistant wheat crops are showing signs of yellow rust - samples for analysis should be sent to the UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey [https://www.niab.com/research/agricultural-crop-research/research-projects-agriculture/uk-cereal-pathogen-virulence] (UKCPVS). We look ways farmers can supply more local food - according to the Local Food Plan [https://www.localfoodplan.org/]. And we try to track down a giant red fibre glass cow after it goes missing. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntasker [https://x.com/johanntasker] Contact or follow Louise (X): @louisearable [https://x.com/louisearable] Contact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarm [https://x.com/Sondesplacefarm] For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk [https://fwi.co.uk/] or follow @farmersweekly [https://twitter.com/farmersweekly] To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk [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, livestock industry leaders warn of a devastating animal disease outbreak unless the government tightens border controls. MPs quiz. Defra minister Daniel Zeichner as cereal growers 'go on strike' in protest at government policies affecting UK farming. Will there really be no hot cross buns at Easter? We've the latest on the Sustainable Farming Incentive and how the Rural Payments Agency continues to process a backlog of applications. And one year after he took up the role, we've a special interview with Graham Wilkinson, chief executive of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Plus all the latest commodity prices – and how Donald Trump's tariffs will affect UK agri-food products imported into the USA. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntasker [https://x.com/johanntasker] Contact or follow Louise (X): @louisearable [https://x.com/louisearable] Contact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarm [https://x.com/Sondesplacefarm] For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk [https://fwi.co.uk/] or follow @farmersweekly [https://twitter.com/farmersweekly] To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk [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, 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): @johanntasker [https://x.com/johanntasker] Contact or follow Louise (X): @louisearable [https://x.com/louisearable] Contact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarm [https://x.com/Sondesplacefarm] For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk [https://fwi.co.uk/] or follow @farmersweekly [https://twitter.com/farmersweekly] To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk [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 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): @johanntasker [https://x.com/johanntasker] Contact or follow Louise (X): @louisearable [https://x.com/louisearable] Contact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarm [https://x.com/Sondesplacefarm] For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk [https://fwi.co.uk/] or follow @farmersweekly [https://twitter.com/farmersweekly] To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk [podcast@fwi.co.uk]. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.