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The inside track on the biggest stories affecting UK agriculture - with Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Every Friday.
116 Episodes
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UK cereal farmers earn less than the minimum wage, according to the latest government figures. Why environmental payments aren’t delivering for growers and livestock producers. And Reform leader Nigel Farage is under fire after saying we shouldn’t worry about cheap imports of chlorinated chicken. Farm business income figures for England are published by Defra based on information collected from farmers by the annual Farm Business Survey. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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. We'd love to hear from you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As war spreads across the Middle East, we look at the implications for UK farmers – including the impact on fertiliser, fuel and food security. In a volatile market, we examine the latest information on prices and availability – and what you can do to secure vital farm inputs. Supply chains both up and down from the farm gate have already been affected as the world gets to grips with a widening conflict at a key time of the farming year. We also examine the issue of UK food security with Professor Tim Lang. Part-recorded on location at Origin Soil Nutrition at Great Yarmouth in Norfolk; at farmer-owned buying group Fram Farmers in Framlingham; and on farm at Hoxne, Suffolk. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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. We'd love to hear from you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Just what is the government’s long-term plan for farm support? We’ve an exclusive interview with Defra farm minister Angela Eagle. We get to grips with the latest proposals for the revamped Sustainable Farming Incentive – how your business will be affected. A campaigning farmer hits out over lack of action on fly tipping – and takes Defra secretary Emma Reynolds to task over the issue And what next for the National Farmers Union following it’s latest leadership elections? A bumper episode for you this week – recorded as live at NFU’s annual conference at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on 24-25 January 2026. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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. We'd love to hear from you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, we discuss the reasons behind a big drop in farmland sales – and it isn't all to do with inheritance tax. We join dozens of farmers who’ve teamed up to create the UK’s biggest ever landscape recovery project – worth £100m We've the latest on the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme; and we've a chocolate spot disease warning for winter bean growers. And we speak to the farmer with eight reservoirs who has a special message about winter rainfall storage. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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. We'd love to hear from you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, as concern grows about funding for the government's flagship agri-environment scheme, we look at ways to farm profitably without subsidies. Farmers who are doing just that share their secrets at the Norfolk Farming Conference and the BASE UK conference in Huntingdon. They include Nottinghamshire farmer Joe Howard, of Howard Farms and Grassroots Farming; and Cotswolds farmer Henry Astor, of Bruern Farms, who is supplying Gails bakeries. We also talk to Cambridgeshire farmer David Wheatley, of Petite Peonies; and Lancashire farmer Martin Caunce, of Brow Farm. We also discuss the LinkedIn article about future funding for the Sustainable Farming Incentive by Geoff Sansome, former head of agriculture at Natural England. We find out how to add extreme value to farm output – and how to harness the power of social media as a valuable marketing tool to consumers. And we meet Sam Stables – the Herefordshire farmer who raised more than £40,000 for charity by walking 142 miles to London during Mind Your Head Week. If you wish to make a donation, you can do so via Sam's fundraising page. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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. We'd love to hear from you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As a wet winter sees leaves many fields under water, a special drainage scheme is delivering benefits for farmers and the environment. We pay a special visit to the Allerton Project at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust farm in Leicestershire. How a closer relationship with the EU could benefit UK growers and livestock producers – if we can get the balance right. Read the EFRA Committee report here. And we discover how encouraging team spirit on the farm can help improve your mental wellbeing during Mind Your Head week. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
Did the government break its own rules when it imposed inheritance tax on farmers? The High Court orders an urgent two-day judicial review of the Chancellor’s plans to hit family-owned businesses with death duties. Beef and dairy producers could have to pay a licence to farm – we find out what buying an environmental permit could mean for your farm business. And we meet the arable growers achieving amazing yields – and examine what the future holds for the Yield Enhancement Network. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time Event at the 2026 Association of Independent Crop Consultants Conference. Recorded in front of a live audience on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, farmers and other conference delegates quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: Baroness Minette Batters, author of the Farming Profitability Review Andrew Blazey, AICC chairman and partner at Prime Agriculture Jenny Brunton, senior European policy advisor at the British Agriculture Bureau, Brussels Yorkshire farmer Paul Temple, of the Global Farmer Network. Oli Fletcher, is a Leicestershire farmer, historian and Farming Explained YouTuber Farmers Weekly Question Time is hosted by Farmers Weekly Podcast editor Johann Tasker. To attend or sponsor future Farmers Weekly Question Time events, visit fwi.co.uk/questiontime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, failure to test illegal meat imports could leave livestock farmers exposed to animal disease, say food safety experts. Sheep producers face a government clampdown on tail docking and lamb castration – how you can have your say on animal welfare. And why farming needs better leaders: how a professional approach – and chartered status – could help recruit more people into agriculture. To have your say on lamb welfare, visit the Defra consultation on on proposed changes to castration and tail docking methods. The Society of Agriculture website is soc-ag.org. The white paper by Paul Harris about putting people first in farming can be downloaded from https://real-success.co.uk/white-paper-2/ (you will be asked to submit your email address). This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
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 prospects for the farmland market in 2026. A reminder that the deadline to enter the Women in Agriculture Awards is 30 January 2026. Join the Women in Agriculture Network by downloading the StayPost app for iOS or Android. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
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 Pembrokeshire- Kelly Hewson-Fisher, head of rural research, Savills- Peter Craven, head of agriculture, Natural England- Emma White, FairShare & The Felix Project This Farmers Weekly Question Time is sponsored by Savills. Farmers Weekly Question Time is hosted, edited and produced by Johann Tasker. To attend or sponsor future Farmers Weekly Question Time events, visit fwi.co.uk/questiontime. Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
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. We look at how the decision came about, what it means for family farms and where the sector goes from here. With special guests: NFU president Tom Bradshaw; Country Land & Business Association external affairs director Jonathan Roberts; and Sam Kirkham, partner at accountants Albert Goodman. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
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 carving a niche for himself by growing hazelnuts – and looking for other farmers to join him. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
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 plans to streamline assessments and ditch unnecessary farm inspections. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
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 and oilseeds. African swine fever reaches Spain: we examine the impact on UK pig producers. And should we be more optimistic about agriculture? We speak to former NFU president Sir Peter Kendall and "Cheerful" Charlie Ireland, star of Clarkson's Farm. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast was recorded live on Thursday 4 December 2025 at the Ceres Rural Agri-Strategy Conference in Cambridgeshire. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
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 the National Fruit show - where growers are determined to get more British apples and pears on more supermarket shelves. Neil MacLeod's Farmer Focus page is here. To donate to the Catherine MacLeod memorial fundraiser for Breast Cancer Now, please visit the Catherine MacLeod Justgiving page. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
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 inflation increases – but so too do farm input costs. And Tesco launches a £1.5m initiative to help 360 beef and sheep farmers baseline their environmental performance. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
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's Country Land and Business Association conference. We pay a visit to Agritechnica – Europe’s flagship farm machinery exhibition – to find out what's selling and what's not. And hundreds of well-wishers pay their respects at a memorial service for Norfolk farmer and commentator David Richardson. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
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 farmland. And a major food processor explains why it is working to reward growers for adopting more sustainable farming methods. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. 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 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.
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Moment of unfairness from FW abt family farms - many are innovative and profitable and may just not want to expand. Being bigger isn't a sign of a better business necessarily- especially if not addressing current crisis.