The Farmers Weekly Podcast

Farmers Weekly
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The Farmers Weekly Podcast

The inside track on the biggest stories affecting UK agriculture - with Johann Tasker and Louise Impey. Every Friday.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Red Tractor pledges smarter farm audits, action plan to reduce pesticide usage, & vigilance needed after bird flu confirmed in sheep

    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 Contact or follow Louise (X): @louisearable Contact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarm For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweekly To 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.

    53 min

  2. 21 MAR

    How to rescue the Sustainable Farming Incentive, farmers ramp up food production, pressure on spring seed and fertiliser, red diesel rumours, & why big business wants to invest in your farm

    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 Contact or follow Louise (X): @louisearable Contact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarm For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweekly To 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.

    52 min

  3. 14 MAR

    Options for farmers locked out of Sustainable Farming Incentive, food security report, & is there a future for lab-grown meat?

    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): @johanntasker Contact or follow Louise (X): @louisearable Contact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarm For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweekly To 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.

    50 min

  4. 11 MAR

    Emergency Podcast: Defra pulls plug on Sustainable Farming Incentive

    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 Rural This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntasker Contact or follow Louise (X): @louisearable Contact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarm For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweekly To 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.

    28 min

  5. 7 MAR

    Rebel Labour MPs back farmers on inheritance tax, Pancake Day Rally, livestock mart hits out at 'keyboard warriors', climate change adaptation, & 'green' farmland market

    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): @johanntasker Follow Louise (X): @louisearable Follow Hugh (X): @sondesplacefarm For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweekly To 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.

    47 min

  6. 28 FEB

    Defra's not-so-new farm policies, Pancake Day Rally against inheritance tax, NFU conference 2025 special, & how to succeed at succession planning

    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): @johanntasker Follow Louise (X): @louisearable Follow Hugh (X): @sondesplacefarm For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweekly To 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.

    53 min
  7. Farmers Weekly Question Time: Plumpton College - Farmers Weekly Question Time

    21 FEB · BONUS

    Farmers Weekly Question Time: Plumpton College - Farmers Weekly Question Time

    Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time Event at Plumpton College in East Sussex Recorded 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 Group This 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.

    1h 17m

  8. 14 FEB

    Chink of light on inheritance tax, farming's 'pecking order', Scotland's new farm leader, oilseed rape challenges, & why farming is harder than rocket science

    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): @johanntasker Follow Louise (X): @louisearable Follow Hugh (X): @sondesplacefarm For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweekly To 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.

    47 min
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    4.8
    out of 5
    183 Ratings

    About

    The inside track on the biggest stories affecting UK agriculture - with Johann Tasker and Louise Impey. Every Friday.

    Information

    • Creator
      Farmers Weekly
    • Years Active
      2020 - 2025
    • Episodes
      267
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © 2024 The Farmers Weekly Podcast
    • Show Website
      The Farmers Weekly Podcast

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