The Farmers Weekly Podcast

In this episode, questions are raised over agriculture's Net Zero ambition after the NFU makes two climate change experts redundant. With cereal margins under pressure, can independent agronomists help make arable farming profitable again? Farm leader Tom Bradshaw faces a leadership challenge from NFU deputy president David Exwood: we preview next month's union elections. And we examine the prospe...

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time Event at the 2026 Oxford Farming Conference. Recorded in front of a live audience on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, farmers and other conference delegates quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: - Tom Bradshaw, NFU president - Henry Tufnell , Labour MP for Mid- and South P...

Can the government really win back farmers' trust in 2026? Or is it a bridge too far? Defra secretary Emma Reynolds uses the Oxford Farming Conference to set out her vision for the relaunched Sustainable Farming Incentive. After the Treasury's partial climbdown on inheritance tax, should we continue campaigning for further concessions? And we take a look at the New Year Honours for farming. This e...

In this special episode, we examine what the government's partial U-turn on inheritance tax means for your farm business. It follows the Treasury decision to water down plans to impose 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth more than £1m. In a major concession the government has announced that it is increasing the threshold for inheritance tax on farm assets from £1m to £2.5m....

In this episode, we get to grips with the long-awaited Farming Profitability Review and its 57 recommendations for government. Will it really make a difference? We've a special interview with review author Minette Batters. How you can forge a better future for your farm business – we preview the 2026  Oxford Farming Conference . And we meet Suffolk farmer Tom McVeigh , who is carvi...

In this episode, is the government about to backtrack on plans to pay farmers for creating and improving wildlife habitats. We report from the frontline on the battle to save biodiversity net gain. A warning for arable growers looking to use two key fungicides together – how to avoid cross-resistance. Lamb war with France – what it means for UK sheep producers. And how Red Tractor plan...

In this episode, experts voice concern at a get-out clause in government plans for a £500m Landscape Recovery scheme for farmers. We look at the opportunities for growers and livestock producers from Defra's Environmental Improvement Plan – and ask: is it fatally flawed? How much risk should you accept when chasing high yields? We get to grips with the new recommended list for cereals...

In this episode, Metropolitan Police chiefs face questions after banning protesting farmers from bringing tractors to London. As the government makes a small concession on plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers, we examine what the Budget means for your farm business. Budget analysis by: Stuart Maggs, Howes Percival Sam Kirkham,. Albert Goodman Simon Gooderham, Cheffins And we pay a visit to t...

In this episode, Defra secretary Emma Reynolds reveals the government's latest thinking on relaunching the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Ms Reynolds was speaking during a Q&A session at the Country Land and Business Association annual conference in London. Farmers return to Westminster to protest against inheritance tax. Can we really expect any changes in this month's Budget? Food price infl...

Just why is it taking so long for the UK government to set out its vision for farming? As Defra secretary Emma Reynolds prepares to give her first major speech to farmers, vital reports and strategies remain unpublished. The government says some will be published before Christmas - others later. We ask incoming CLA president Gavin Lane what Emma Reynolds needs to say when she addresses this month'...

In this episode, Defra is considering 57 recommendations after Minette Batters submits her long-awaited Farm Profitability Review. We take a look at some of main themes – including better collaboration between farmers and a closer relationship between industry and government. A cross-party group of MPs say urgent action is needed to improve agricultural productivity and avert the loss of UK...

In this week’s podcast, some of Britain’s biggest supermarkets are refusing to engage with a review of UK farm assurance schemes. A progress report on improving schemes like Red Tractor has struggled to gather input from Britain's big retail chains. Just three supermarkets have responded on an individual basis with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) refusing to participate. Could a br...

In this week’s podcast, dairy farmers could launch legal action over back-dated milk price cuts. Can a partnership approach between industry leaders and the Scottish government aims to deliver a better future for farming? And we discover that urban youngsters often know much more about farming than we think they do. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise I...

In this episode, we examine the lessons to be learned after the UK advertising watchdog bans a TV ad for Red Tractor farm assurance. We look at the future for arable farming following Velcourt's decision to serve notice on 8,000ha of contract farming agreements. Are family farms better placed to ride out tough times? And is a last-minute extension for Mid Tier Countryside Stewardship a sticking pl...

Government ministers are said to be looking at easing plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers. Civil servants are reportedly looking again at increasing the proposed threshold which would exempt more farming families from the tax. Could the government be working harder to put more British food on British plates? Yes, says Alexia Robinson, the food campaigner behind British Food Fortnight . We t...

Farmers in England face significant cashflow shortfalls following further delays to the government's Sustainable Farming Incentive. The flagship scheme is not expected to reopen for applications until April 2026 at the earliest due to budget constraints and IT issues. Protesting farmers vent their frustration at the government's farming policies at the Labour party conference in Liverpool. We've a...

In this week’s podcast, we have a special interview with tenant farming commissioner Alan Laidlaw following his appointment. What does his new role mean for landlords and tenants? And how does he see a code of practice for the tenanted sector working in England? How artificial intelligence is helping livestock farmers increase productivity in a way that boosts income while benefiting the environme...

As growers rip up autumn cropping plans following another challenging season, we look at ways to get the best for your farm business. A new group of rural Labour MPs says it is backing British food producers – and launches its own action plan for the countryside. Will it make a difference? We look at the fallout after the Rural Payments Agency tries to reclaim Sustainable Farming Incentive funding...

In this episode, thousands of farmers face a cliff-edge when their countryside stewardship agreements expire – with nothing to replace them. Those with mid-tier schemes running out at the end of this year – just three months away – are left facing a stark choice: maintain beneficial environmental features at their own expense, or destroy them up and plant them with crops to earn some much-needed i...

In this episode, we look at what farmers can expect from new Defra secretary Emma Reynolds - her policies and personality. To discuss that and more, we’re joined by Jonathan Reynolds, director of external affairs at the Country Land and Business Association. The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs says it has been told it will no longer receive a Defra grant – Defra says the suggestion is...

In this episode, farmers are helping firefighters battle a huge moorland blaze in Yorkshire. Farmers are using slurry tankers to deliver water to fire crews fighting flames which have engulfed thousands of acres of the Yorkshire Moors. Hot weather and lack of rain has seen hay and straw is imported into the UK from France to help drought-hit livestock farmers. Pollution from pig and poultry produc...

Harvest has been hugely variable this summer – with many growers in prime arable areas reporting terrible cereal yields. But has one crop bucked the trend? After years of decline and disappointment, oilseed rape is having a bit of a moment. Could it, perhaps, be crop of the year? Is £30/t an acceptable price for sugar beet? We find out. We’ve more on electronic tagging for cattle. Just what’s driv...

A data error means the latest harvest progress report over-estimates yields – and triggers an investigation by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Why wasn't the report right in the first place? Industry leaders give a mixed reaction to the latest inheritance tax proposals. And one of Britain's biggest livestock auctioneers voices concern at differences in electronic identification...

In this episode, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch visits an Essex farm – meeting farmers to talk about inheritance tax. We’ve an exclusive interview. We meet the Yorkshire dairy farmer who is starting a renewable energy company – and powering up the local community. And we take an in-depth look at autumn weed control. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey...

In this episode, Donald Trump leaves UK prime minister Keir Starmer in stony silence as he explains why American farmers don’t pay inheritance tax. But would British farmers really be better off if President Trump was in charge of UK agriculture? Is it time to get an electric farm pickup – we look at the latest fully electric truck as it goes on sale in the UK. Jeremy Clarkson’s farm goes down wit...