The Farmers Guardian Podcast

FG's Save Britain's Family Farms campaign aims to tell the stories of the farming industry in a bid to show the Government its plans for Inheritance Tax will decimate family farms and wider related businesses. Online editor Emily Ashworth looks back at the exclusive Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer gave FG in the run-up to the election and if he held those promises. You will also hear fro...

This week saw the announcement of the Welsh Budget, with the Scottish Budget announced last week. Farmers Guardian's news and business team take a look at what it means for farmers and the latest on the farmer pushback against Inheritance Tax changes Message us

Heather Whalley swapped the bright lights of London for the fields of Lancashire after making the decision to return home to Lancashire to farm with her father. Running a pedigree beef business alongside some sheep, Heather wanted to make sure the farm business was secure for the future, so worked alongside her dad to tweak the systems, look at the financials and put her passion for holistic manag...

Is the Government ready to concede it got it disastrously wrong on the Budget, and could it make an offer to farmers before Christmas?  Farmers Guardian editor Olivia Midgley caught up NFU deputy president David Exwood at at CropTec where he was making the keynote speech.  David, a mixed farmer from West Sussex, talks about the union's sit down with the Prime Minister this week and gives his...

With COP29 taking place this week, Alex Black spoke to Prof John Gilliland who was in attendance on behalf of AHDB. On his farm in Northern Ireland, Prof Gilliland has been part of ARCZero, with his farm not beyond net zero. He spoke about why knowledge is key for farmers looking to reach net zero, or beyond, and creating a whole-farm carbon balance sheet is a critical place to start.  Message us

Farmers Guardian were live at the farmer protests in London on November 19, reporting straight from the heart of the crowd. Online editor Emily Ashworth and head of livestock Katie Jones spoke to farmers - some from families who have hundreds of years of farming history behind them - attending the rally and about the impact the new Inheritance Tax rules could have. You can also hear speeches from...

Following Trump’s historic election win, Alex Black speaks to John Wilkes about what his presidency will mean for farming in the US, UK and all around the world Message us

Diversifying the core farm business takes ‘grit and determination’ but farmers should realise that they do not need to do everything themselves and have confidence to lean on others with specific expertise. But where do you start and how do you find the skills you need to make your new idea work? FG editor Olivia Midgley hosts a roundtable discussion with six farmers at the Farm Business Innovatio...

Welsh farmer and World War II Royal Airforce veteran Aneurin Owen will be 100 years old on November 30, 2024. Farmers Guardian online editor Emily Ashworth meets him to talk about a century in farming and in honour of Remembrance Day, his time in the RAF. Message us

Following the Chancellor's announcements on Inheritance Tax and Agricultural Property Relief in the 2024 Autumn Budget, Farmers Guardian's Alex Black, Rachael Brown and Jane Thynne dig into what the changes may mean for the farming industry. The news team take a look at the implications of all the announcements this week, from the agriculture budget to the minimum wage and changes to del...

For this special episode, we partner with our sister podcast (The Land, Leisure and Tourism Podcast) to bring you a discussion with Sykes Holiday Cottages and one of their latest customers.  We talk about the logistics and challenges of diversifying your farm into holiday letting, but also the positives that it can bring to you and your farming business For more information on the Farm Business In...

This week Farmers Guardian's online editor Emily Ashworth went to Charlotte Ashley's farm in Cumbria to talk to her and close friend and social media star Rebecca Wilson all about showcasing real-life farming on social platforms. They also highlight the importance of future-proofing the business and attracting new talent to farming. Message us

After 40 years, West Midlands dairy farmer and former NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes decided to quit milking, sold his 200 holstein dairy herd and started a new venture rearing 200 plus beef cattle on his Bournville Village Trust tenant farm on the southern outskirts of Birmingham. A decision which he described as ‘really tough' and initially something he was reluctant to share with anyo...

With the country now 100 days into the new Labour Government, Farmers Guardian has created a new manifesto on what farmers and rural businesses want from the Government. FG editor Olivia Midgley, Patrick Holden, chief executive of the Sustainable Farming Trust, National Pig Association chief executive Lizzie Wilson, Minette Batters, tenant farmer and former NFU President, farmer John McCulloch,  E...

Wool was, at one time, the jewel of fabrics. It was a well-respected product but, over the years its value has decreased. In this episode, we look at why. Is it a pricing issue? Is it a marketing issue? Emily Ashworth and Katie Fallon look back at the timeline to find out what changed. Message us

As the 2024 political party conferences wrap up, Farmers Guardian's news and business team discuss the goings on at the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative Party conferences and what each party has to offer for the farming sector.  Message us

This week's Farmers Guardian podcast is a little different. FG's online editor Emily Ashworth joins the machinery team, Toby Whatley and James Huyton, to delve into the world of machinery and talk about the opportunities in the sector, especially when it comes to careers. From technology talk to taking a first - and very slow - drive of the Claas combine on James' farm, this podcast...

On the pod this week, news reporter Chris Brayford visited students and staff at Barnsley College’s Wigfield Farm campus to discuss the importance of agricultural courses in educational settings. @WigfieldFarm // @barnsleycollege Should more schools be providing agricultural courses? Should agriculture be featured on the syllabus and curriculum from the moment a child starts school until they leav...

On the podcast this week, we are joined by Welsh farmer Clive Jones, Wales’ Rural Affairs Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies ( @huw4ogmore ) and Wales’ Wildlife and Rural Crime Coordinator Rob Taylor ( @rural_wales ), to discuss livestock worrying. @WGRural Livestock worrying, when a dog chases or attacks livestock on agricultural land can have costly consequences on the health, well-being and finances...

For siblings Anna and Sam Hallos, the future succession of their tenanted upland beef and sheep farm in West Yorkshire has been an ‘open and honest’ conversation around the farmhouse kitchen table for many years now. They have both been ‘heavily involved’ in the business from a young age, but now older, at 27 and 24 years old, Sam and Anna have started making decisions, which they both said is hel...

Our Yorkshire Farm, featuring the Owen family, was an immediate success with TV viewers. Looking into the Owen family's life with nine children on one of the most remote hill farms in the country enthralled the nation, and now, six years later, one member, Reuben Owen, is carving out his own path. His latest TV series, Life In The Dales, has been a hit, and he is making his own mark on the Yo...

On the podcast this week, we learn about the value of agritourism and diversification in Scotland with Dundee farmer Caroline Millar. Escaping from the world to a farm's tranquil surroundings in the Angus countryside could be the ideal answer for any couple seeking a romantic weekend getaway, with the diversification working hand-in-hand alongside the farm. The Hideaway Experience at Balkello...

Shepherdess Brittany Cole Bush talks to Farmers Guardian US Correspondent John Wilkes. California is experiencing some of the worst ever wildfires. By August 16, a total of 5,210 wildfires burned 332,606 ha (821,887 acres).   The Park Fire is the fourth largest in Californian history – approximately 14 times the size of San Francisco. Since late July it has destroyed 173,000 ha in Northern Califor...

Harvest 2024 has arrived and after suffering pests, persistent storms and setbacks, three farmers share their experience with Farmers Guardian. Message us

In a special one-off podcast, guest-hosted by FG columnist and farmer Amy Wilkinson, go behind-the-scenes at Farmers Guardian HQ to see how our epic digital campaign 24 Hours in Farming unfolds. Reaching millions of people, the campaign, aims to showcase the farming industry to wider society and this year we have 24 ambassadors to help us do just that. Amy visits one of this year's ambassador...