The Farmers Weekly Podcast

Farmers Weekly
  • 4.3 (7)
  • Business News
  • Updated Semiweekly

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

  1. 1d ago

    SFI scramble, sugar beet arbitration, maize quality, & Daniel Zeichner on life inside Defra

    Farmers face a race to secure funding when the Sustainable Farming Incentive reopens – with warnings that the available money could be allocated within just 24 hours. We look at how to prepare an SFI26 application, why growers should resist simply chasing grant money and what could happen to farmers whose existing agreements prevent them joining this time around. Sugar beet growers face another period of uncertainty after price negotiations between NFU Sugar and British Sugar break down. With the 2027/28 contract heading to arbitration, we ask whether the crop can continue to earn its place in the rotation. After one of the earliest maize harvests on record, we examine maize quality, forage shortages and why regular silage analysis could prove particularly important this winter. And former farm minister Daniel Zeichner gives an extraordinary account of life inside Defra – including his claim that he knew nothing about the government’s inheritance tax changes until after they were announced in the 2024 Budget. This episode is brought to you by Bayer Crop Science – weeding out uncertainty. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction01:09 – SFI26: will the money run out in 24 hours?08:01 – SFI: preparing for the scramble14:21 – Autumn drilling update: managing dry seedbeds16:56 – Sugar beet price talks head to arbitration20:50 – Does sugar beet have a future?25:39 – Around the farming world30:01 – Maize harvest: quantity versus quality34:25 – Markets: livestock up, grain down and diesel jumps36:46 – Daniel Zeichner: what really happened inside Defra?44:20 – Abi Kay on an extraordinary interview Special Guests Chloe Timberlake – farm business adviser, Ceres RuralNick Scantlebury – senior farms manager, Elveden EstateNeil Groom – maize specialist, GrainseedDaniel Zeichner MP – former Defra farm ministerAbi Kay – Farmers Weekly chief reporter Useful links Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026SFI26 Window 2 updateSugar beet price arbitrationBritish Sugar’s Cantley plansBovine TB transmission researchDaniel Zeichner interview This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. To get in touch with the Farmers Weekly Podcast: - Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ Contact or follow Louise: linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/ Contact or follow Hugh: linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/ For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly To contact, sponsor or advertise on 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.

  2. 2d ago

    Abi Kay's Big Questions: Former minister Daniel Zeichner lifts the lid on life inside Defra.

    In an exclusive interview with Farmers Weekly's Abi Kay, former farm minister Daniel Zeichner gives an extraordinary account of life inside Defra.  Revelations include Mr Zeichner's claim that as a minister he knew nothing about government plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers until after they were announced in the 2024 Budget. He says he was then “dutifully dispatched to defend” the policy to furious farmers. Mr Zeichner also admits that Labour was not sufficiently prepared for government when it was elected in July 2024. He says he was unable to tell farmers the “full story” about problems with the government's flagship Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which ran out of money in March 2025. He also describes feeling “man-marked” by Treasury officials he had never met – and says the government should have foreseen the trouble its inheritance tax plans caused. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. To get in touch with the Farmers Weekly Podcast: - Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ Contact or follow Abi: uk.linkedin.com/in/abi-kay-38927130 For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly To contact, sponsor or advertise on 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.

    Abi Kay's Big Questions: Former minister Daniel Zeichner lifts the lid on life inside Defra.

  3. 4d ago

    Farm rent cuts, secret rural crime workshops, pig sector crisis, & Derek vs Derek

    Tenant farmers are being urged to seek rent reductions as difficult arable economics put pressure on farm businesses – but how far should landlords go to share the pain? This week, we examine calls for rent cuts of up to 20% and ask whether landlords and tenants need a new approach to negotiating rents during difficult years. We also investigate the secret workshops helping farmers protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated rural crime. Security specialist Frank Cannon explains why some crime-prevention advice is deliberately kept behind closed doors. Meanwhile, pig producers face a difficult autumn after processors served notice on supply contracts. Thousands of pigs could be left without a contracted buyer each week, accelerating the decline of independent production. And finally, we head to the cinema for Derek vs Derek, a feature-length documentary following two neighbouring Devon farmers with very different ideas about the countryside: dairy farmer Derek Banbury and rewilder Derek Gow. Derek vs Derek is directed by James Dawson and follows Derek Banbury and Derek Gow over three years. Its UK cinema release begins on 2 October 2026. This episode is brought to you by Bayer Crop Science – weeding out uncertainty. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction00:59 – Should tenant farmers demand rent cuts?09:41 – Who should carry the pain in a bad year?13:27 – Autumn drilling update with Bayer Crop Science15:23 – Secret workshops tackle rural crime18:11 – How farmers can make themselves harder targets25:10 – Farming politics on the road27:35 – Back British Farming Day29:06 – Pig producers face contract crisis33:43 – Markets: livestock, grain and fuel36:09 – Derek vs Derek: farming meets rewilding38:38 – Food production or nature – must farmers choose?47:23 – Podcast wrap-up Guests and useful links: Richard King – partner, Andersons farm business consultantsJeremy Moody – secretary and adviser, Central Association of Agricultural ValuersFrank Cannon – chartered security professional, Rural SafeGuardAlistair Driver – editor, Pig World This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. To get in touch with the Farmers Weekly Podcast: - Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ Contact or follow Louise: linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/ Contact or follow Hugh: linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/ For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly To contact, sponsor or advertise on 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.

  4. Sep 4

    River Wye pollution progress, gene-edited soya, falling livestock numbers & Great British Harvest Festival

    In this episode, we examine new farm-level evidence suggesting phosphorus is coming into balance on farms in the River Wye catchment – and ask what it means for water pollution. We visit a field trial where precision breeding could make UK-grown soya commercially possible. We examine the continuing decline in cattle and sheep numbers, and run the rule over the latest livestock and arable markets. And we discover why some of Britain’s biggest music names are heading to Suffolk for a harvest festival with a difference. This episode is brought to you by Bayer Crop Science – weeding out uncertainty. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction00:51 – River Wye: are farmers turning the tide on pollution?10:18 – Bayer autumn drilling update: tackling weeds field by field12:20 – Could gene-edited soya become a UK break crop?21:51 – Farming news: El Niño, Asian hornets and SFI2626:07 – Why are Britain’s beef and sheep herds shrinking?32:21 – Markets: beef firms as grain prices rise34:59 – A Great British Harvest Festival with a difference42:13 – That’s all for this week Guests Dan Smith – farm facilitator, Herefordshire Rural Hub Rachel Banks – technical manager, Bayer Crop Science Dr Frank Röber – Europe Breeding Alliances lead, Corteva Agriscience Philip Case – Farmers Weekly Prys Morgan – beef and lamb sector director, AHDB Andrew Sunnucks – farmer and music producer Useful links River Wye nutrient balance projectRiver Wye water quality – Environment AgencySFI26 Window 2AHDB Beef & LambBayer Crop ScienceGreat British Harvest Festival This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. To get in touch with the Farmers Weekly Podcast: - Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ Contact or follow Louise: linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/ Contact or follow Hugh: linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/ For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly To contact, sponsor or advertise on 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.

  5. Aug 28

    Autumn drilling gamble, fertiliser warning, sugar beet drought, Brazilian beef imports, and firearms licensing

    In this episode, how much rain is enough to start drilling after one of the driest summers in recent memory? We look at autumn crop establishment as growers weigh up whether to put oilseed rape and other crops into exceptionally dry soils – or wait for more meaningful rainfall. We assess the prospects for the coming sugar beet harvest after drought, heat and pest pressure take their toll on crops. And farm leaders call for tougher controls on Brazilian beef and imported eggs as questions mount over whether food coming into Britain meets the same standards expected of UK producers. Meanwhile, fertiliser suppliers urge growers to start talking about next season’s requirements as geopolitical disruption threatens to disrupt another buying season. And finally, a police watchdog says firearms licensing in England and Wales is “not fit for purpose”. What would a new national licensing authority mean for the thousands of farmers and other rural businesses that rely on shotguns and firearms for their work? This episode is brought to you by KWS – seeding the future since 1856. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction00:53 – How much rain is enough to drill oilseed rape?02:24 – How late is too late for oilseed rape?03:21 – Drilling into exceptionally dry seed-beds04:01 – Should growers increase seed rates?05:07 – Has this week’s rain changed anything?07:14 – Grass, cover crops and an exceptionally early maize harvest08:21 – What happened to cabbage stem flea beetle?09:24 – Farmers Weekly Harvest Update with KWS11:45 – How badly has drought hit sugar beet?14:02 – Beet armyworm adds to pest pressure15:01 – Building more resilient sugar beet crops16:05 – Can plant breeding deliver drought tolerance?16:52 – What are growers expecting from harvest?19:29 – A difficult lifting campaign ahead?20:49 – Calls to stop Brazilian beef imports21:11 – Imported eggs and the salmonella outbreak22:53 – Farmers urged to plan fertiliser requirements early24:17 – Geopolitics puts fertiliser supply chains under pressure25:01 – But what about farm cash flow?26:17 – Can the supply chain cope with another late rush?28:59 – Markets update29:20 – Firearms licensing ‘not fit for purpose’30:25 – Farmers’ experience of firearms licensing31:26 – Would a national firearms authority work better?32:18 – Closing remarks Guests Jock Willmott – partner and agronomist, Ceres Rural Matt Bull – product manager, KWS Dr Georgina Barratt – head of crop production, British Beet Research Organisation Harriet Trewin – head of fertiliser, Agricultural Industries Confederation Lee Freeman – HM inspector of constabulary Useful links ⁠Ceres Rural⁠British Beet Research Organisation⁠Agricultural Industries ConfederationLatest UKHSA salmonella outbreak updateGovernment firearms licensing guidance This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. To get in touch with the Farmers Weekly Podcast: - Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ Contact or follow Louise: linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/ Contact or follow Hugh: linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/ For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly To contact, sponsor or advertise on 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.

  6. Aug 21

    Drought crisis loans, does regen farming stack up?, bluetongue vaccination, & China food security

    Could government-backed crisis loans help cash-strapped farmers recover from drought and keep Britain producing food? This week, we examine industry proposals for a Keep Britain Growing Loan – an interest-free, government-backed scheme planned for farmers. With the bluetongue outbreak continuing to spread northwards, we hear why livestock producers are being urged to vaccinate susceptible cattle and sheep as soon as possible. We look at China’s drive for greater food self-sufficiency and what it could mean for global agricultural markets. And a new report called From Risk to Reward examines the financial cost of switching to regenerative farming. If farmers lose money during the transition, should food companies and the wider supply chain shoulder more of the risk? This episode is brought to you by Bayer CropScience - weeding out uncertainty. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction01:02 – Could crisis loans keep farmers farming?04:30 – Would the loans make a difference?09:46 – Autumn Drilling Update with Bayer Cropscience11:44 – Bluetongue spreads further across Britain17:05 – Is it too late to vaccinate?17:57 – Preparing for bluetongue in 202723:34 – Harvest, autumn cultivations and SFI27:07 – China targets greater food self-sufficiency30:06 – Markets33:16 – Who pays for regenerative farming?39:02 – Should food companies share the risk? Guests Alex Godfrey – Lincolnshire farmer and chairman, GB PotatoesRachel Banks – technical manager, Bayer CropscienceClaire Wise – acting national livestock chair, NFUMandy Nevel – head of animal health, AHDBJoe Stanley – head of sustainable farming, Allerton Project Useful Links Keep Britain Growing LoanBluetongue – latest situationBayer weed management adviceRegenerative agriculture and NestléAllerton ProjectFrom Risk to Reward This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. To get in touch with the Farmers Weekly Podcast: - Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ Contact or follow Louise: linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/ Contact or follow Hugh: linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/ For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly To contact, sponsor or advertise on 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.

  7. Aug 15

    £65m drought aid, autumn drilling, livestock forage, firefighting farmers & fundraising for mental health

    In this episode, Defra unveils a £65m package to help drought-hit farmers – we examine how it could help your farm business. We also look at whether growers should start drilling winter crops into exceptionally dry soils – and assess the worsening forage situation for cattle and sheep. Elsewhere, farmers in South Wales help firefighters tackle wildfires, grain markets respond to renewed turmoil in the Black Sea, And three veteran kayakers take to the rivers of East Anglia to raise money for rural mental health charity YANA (You Are Not Alone). This episode is brought to you by plant breeder KWS. Guests Ian Gould – Independent farm adviser John Cousins – Weed scientist, ADAS Andrew Jones – Independent dairy and beef nutritionist Brian Bowen – South Wales farmer Henry Kilvert – Norfolk farmer and YANA supporter Chapters 00:00 – Defra unveils £65m drought package01:52 – SFI flexibility in extreme drought06:33 – What does the £65m package actually offer?10:40 – Extra grazing for livestock farmers13:07 – Can farmers rely on SFI long term?15:51 – Farmers Weekly Harvest Update with KWS18:04 – When should growers start autumn drilling?23:17 – Blackgrass, herbicides and dry seedbeds26:06 – Should growers risk drilling oilseed rape?28:37 – Livestock forage crisis deepens29:57 – Drought threatens fertility and production32:18 – Sheep, forage and winter feed stocks5:23 – Listener feedback and farming resilience36:34 – Farmers battle South Wales wildfires39:29 – Grain prices react to Black Sea attacks40:26 – This week’s farmgate prices42:56 – Three old men in boats44:37 – Tackling loneliness in farming Usel links Government £65m drought support announcement: Sustainable Farming Incentive: Environment Agency drought and water resources information AHDB harvest progress AHDB drought, feed and fodder advice ADAS YANA – rural mental health support This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. To get in touch with the Farmers Weekly Podcast: - Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ Contact or follow Louise: linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/ Contact or follow Hugh: linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/ For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly To contact, sponsor or advertise on 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.

    £65m drought aid, autumn drilling, livestock forage, firefighting farmers & fundraising for mental health

  8. Aug 7

    Drought crisis, grain marketing, farm welfare grants, & 150 years of Aberdeen Angus cattle

    As drought conditions worsen across England, MPs demand urgent government action to safeguard water supplies for food production. South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough says farmers need more flexible abstraction licences, simpler rules for building reservoirs and adequate support. We examine Defra’s new £1.5m Farmer Welfare Grant and ask whether improving personal resilience can help farmers navigate increasingly volatile weather, markets and government policy. Meanwhile, grain marketing consultant Richard Whitlock warns growers to carry out due diligence when selling grain as profitability among merchants comes under pressure. And we celebrate 150 volumes of the Aberdeen Angus Herd Book – and ask how genetics and data could shape the breed’s next 150 years. Guests * Ben Goldsborough – Labour MP for South Norfolk* Samantha “Sammy” Seaman – farm leadership, mindset and resilience coach* Richard Whitlock – grain marketing consultant* Robert Gilchrist – chief executive, Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Chapters 00:55 – Farmers demand their fair share of water01:25 – Ben Goldsborough: “Drier than Jerusalem”02:28 – Abstraction licences and regulation03:16 – Food security versus data centres03:48 – What farmers can do05:35 – Is Defra listening?08:17 – What help do drought-hit farms need?10:57 – A climate “doom loop”?14:37 – Bayer Autumn Drilling Update16:55 – £1.5m Farmer Welfare Grant17:20 – Samantha Seaman on handling pressure20:01 – Building resilient farm businesses23:25 – Can farmers bounce back?26:31 – Bluetongue situation worsens30:57 – Sustainable Farming Incentive update32:27 – Harvest quality surprises34:47 – Be careful who buys your grain36:47 – Checking your grain buyer38:30 – Commodity markets41:27 – Aberdeen Angus at 15042:29 – Why Aberdeen Angus endures43:17 – Genetics, DNA and lower emissions49:30 – Closing remarks Useful links - Rural Payments Agency extreme weather guidance- Defra Farmer Welfare Grant- Samantha Seaman Coaching- Richard Whitlock – grain merchant analysis- Bayer Crop Science weed management- Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. To get in touch with the Farmers Weekly Podcast: - Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ Contact or follow Louise: linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/ Contact or follow Hugh: linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/ For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly To contact, sponsor or advertise on 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.

    Drought crisis, grain marketing, farm welfare grants, & 150 years of Aberdeen Angus cattle
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4.3
out of 5
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Farmers Weekly
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2026 © The Farmers Weekly Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Farmers Weekly Podcast

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