Join Farmers Guardian Editor Ben Briggs, and Head of News and Business Olivia Midgley, for weekly thought provoking and lighthearted debate around the key issues affecting farming, food and the countryside right now. Listen and subscribe now on Spotify, Google or Apple. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Following another fantastic Royal Highland Show, Farmers Guardian takes a look at the highs, the topics of conversation and the challenges facing the farming industry in Scotland, with the First Minister committed to price caps on essential food items and fears over the future of the pig sector.Message us
In this special episode of the Farmers Guardian podcast, FG's news and business team discuss the Prime Minister's resignation, the impact on agriculture and the prospects of Andy Burnham as the next resident of Number 10.Message us
The FG team reflects on the main action from this year's event held at Diddly Squat including budget announcements, celebrity sightings and some encouraging slug statistics.Message us
With a cattle TB vaccine targeted by 2030 as the Government aims to eradicate bTB by 2038, Farmers Guardian livestock specialist Ellie Layton hosted a debate at the Royal Cornwall Show.Farmers and experts debated the next steps for bTB control in England. Guests included beef farmer Paul Westaway, who farms in a high-risk area in Gloucestershire and is a member of the Bovine TB Partnership; Alan Carter, Cornwall dairy farmer and Farmers Guardian columnist and Ed Simmons, veterinary surgeon, British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA). Message us
In this episode of the Farmers Guardian podcast, deputy editor Alex Black and head of news and business Jane Thynne discuss the return of Clarkson's Farm for its fifth series on Prime Video.The news and business team take a look at the key themes of the series, from Jeremy Clarkson's health to the changes to Inheritance Tax and the ups and downs of the farming year, and whether the popular series is still worth a watch.Message us
Farming accounts for around 20% of UK workplace deaths despite making up just 1% of the workforce. In the first episode of our FarmersAid series, in partnership with RABI, Professor Stuart Maitland-Knibb explains why the first few minutes after a serious farm accident are where survival is decided, why fear can stop people from acting, and how the new FarmersAid app is designed to change that.To learn more or download the app, visit www.farmersaid.org.ukMessage us
Jeff and Katie Aiken join Farmers Guardian's Ellie Layton and Tom Ryder for the latest episode of For Flock's Sake.Known throughout the sheep world for their success with the renowned Procters Texel flock, the Aiken family have experienced both the highs of pedigree sheep breeding and the challenge of starting again.In this episode, Jeff and Katie discuss growing up in livestock, life on the show circuit, the family dynamic behind their success and rebuilding at Ainstable Hall with the Coniston flock following the dispersal of Procters.For Flock's Sake is Farmers Guardian's monthly special podcast series shining a spotlight on young farmers, new entrants and showcasing real farming stories to inspire the next generation of British agriculture.Message us
For years, many growers questioned whether oilseed rape still had a future in UK arable rotations. Pressure from cabbage stem flea beetle, difficult establishment seasons and rising input costs pushed confidence in the crop to some of its lowest levels in decades.But after two stronger seasons, sentiment is beginning to shift.So why is oilseed rape making a comeback on some farms? What are successful growers doing differently? And can OSR once again become a reliable and profitable break crop in modern arable rotations?In this episode, we're joined by Nigel Padbury from Premium Crops and Dorset farm manager Tom Baker to discuss the latest thinking around OSR establishment, varietal choice, cabbage stem flea beetle management, crop nutrition and rotational strategy.Message us
The Farmers' Choir stormed through Britain's Got Talent semi-finals at weekend, soaring in to the final as possible winners.With the whole of the UK's farming community behind them, the choir hope to spotlight some of the main issues facing agriculture, such as mental health and isolation. The choir was originally set up by Jeremy Clarkson to promote his Hawkstone beer and cider business, but its members found it was a way to get people off the farm.In this special podcast, Katie Fallon speaks to Katryna and Ben from the choir to find out more.Message us
In the wake of the elections in Wales and Scotland, and the uncertainty over the future of Sir Keir Starmer, Alex Black and Jane Thynne discuss the latest changes in politics and what it means for the agriculture sector.Message us
What does a career in agriculture look like in 2026? On this episode of the Farmers Guardian podcast, students and staff from Myerscough College discuss modern farming careers, college life, the changes in the industry over the recent decades and the opportunities available across the agricultural sector.A massive thanks to David, Rachael, Molly and Josh for their time and to Myerscough College for hosting usTo learn more about the college, and the courses they offer, visit https://www.myerscough.ac.uk/Message us
Livestock auction marts are a vital cog in keeping the rural community turning, with around 130 active auction marts scattered across the UK. Nowhere is this more evident than in Northumberland, the least densely populated county in England. In this episode of For Flock's Sake, the Farmers Guardian podcast championing young voices in farming, hosts Ellie Layton and Tom Ryder sit down with auctioneers Drew Patrick and Harrison Collingwood from Hexham and Northern Marts in Northumberland. From breaking into the auctioneering world to building trust and transparency in the ring, Drew and Harrison share their journeys and insights into the job and discuss how marts are evolving, reinvesting, diversifying, and adapting to secure their future, much like the farming businesses they serve. Got a question, topic or guest suggestion? Get in touch at fgsocials@agriconnect.com Message us
Join us for our second arable special where Farmers Guardian head of arable, Ash Ellwood, visits Duchy of Cornwall's Focus Farmers, Heather and Paul Gorringe. Together, they explore the Gorringes' journey from a conventionally plough-based system to a biologically focused, regenerative system - and lessons they are learning along the way through the Focus Farmer programme. The Duchy of Cornwall's regenerative ambitions are brought to life through its seven ‘Focus Farms', each representing a different landscape and farming system across the estate. The initiative is designed to fast-track progress towards net zero while building a more nature-rich farming future, by trialling innovative practices and technologies. At Lower Blakemere Farm, the Gorringes are putting these ideas into action - experimenting with biological inputs, composting systems, nutrient-rich brews, and adapting small-scale regenerative principles for large-scale arable production. From Stabiliser cattle and mini trucks to bokashi composting, this episode is packed with practical insights and ideas for every kind of farmer. Find out more:https://www.lowerblakemerefarm.co.ukhttps://www.ukminitrucks.co.ukhttps://www.wigglywigglers.co.ukMessage us
In this week's Farmers Guardian podcast, we take a look at the wool industry, touching on its diversity and the problems faced within the industry. We are joined with Harriet Fletcher Gilhuys, textiles researcher at Fashion Roundtable who will talk about the Great British Wool Revival and its support for the farm to fabric journey. Message us
War in the Middle East is placing a heavy toll on UK farmers. Coverage in Farmers Guardian in recent weeks has revealed the extent and impact of skyrocketing prices to red diesel, heating oil and fertiliser since the Middle East crisis escalated on February 28. The crisis has placed an additional £25,000 on fuel bills for some farm businesses, and others have claimed the UK is lurching into a food security crisis if the Government does not act immediately to support domestic food production. In response to claims that the UK Government is preparing a ‘worst case scenario' for the possibility of food shortages, Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said it is ‘not a concern' for the UK economy at present. But if war in Iran continues beyond the summer, it could place even greater pressure on planting decisions, affordability and the availability of resources. Is the UK really prepared for food shortages? Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said de-escalating the crisis and reopening the Strait of Hormuz is the only way to stop the price volatility experienced by farmers. But as each day passes, and with no signs of a peace deal in sight, the question is how long can farmers withstand pressures on their businesses? And is protesting an appropriate form of action? Farmers For Action co-ordinator William Taylor joins us on the podcast to discuss the impact of the war on UK food producers, the impact of Inheritance Tax on farm profitability, if UK farmers will hold protests, the influence of the fuel strikes of 2000, and the importance of UK Government passing a Farm Welfare Bill to bring about fairness in the food supply chain.Message us
In partnership with the Cultivate ‘Leading Through Change' Conference, Farmers Guardian editorial director Olivia Midgley speaks to chair of Noble Foods, Sarah Dean and fifth generation cider-maker Eleanor Thatcher of Thatchers Cider, about what good leadership looks like in family businesses, the opportunities and threats on the horizon and why weight loss jabs and artificial intelligence should be embraced in food and farming. We also catch up with Andy Venable, CEO and founder of Hillsgreen, who started the Cultivate conference back in 2020Message us
As the first farmer to appear on The Great British Bake Off, Mike Greenwood-Wilkins managed to bring farming to the masses. In this special, Mike talks about his family arable farm and getting funding for a new farm shop which will be his legacy, Government support - or lack of - and, of course, shouting about farming on the nation's favourite baking programme.Message us
For Flock's Sake is Farmers Guardian's new podcast series giving young farmers a voice on the issues shaping the future of British agriculture. Hosted by Farmers Guardian's Ellie Layton and Tom Ryder, both young farmers themselves, the podcast explores the challenges, opportunities and realities facing the next generation, from policy and funding to food production and rural life. In this first episode, Ellie and Tom are joined by Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins to discuss Inheritance Tax, the future of farm support, animal welfare and whether the Conservatives can win back farmers ahead of the next election. Got a question, topic or guest suggestion? Get in touch at podcasts@agriconnect.comChapters: Welcome to "For Flock's Sake": The Young Farmer Podcast Launch (00:44)Introducing Shadow DEFRA Secretary Victoria Atkins: Personal Journey and DEFRA Ambition (01:24)The Capital Challenge for Young Farmers: A Stark Reality (05:22)Conservative Farming Policy: Axing Taxes, Reviewing Quangos & 'Made in UK' Standards (06:39)Critique of Current Government: The Failure to Listen to Farming Communities (10:13)The Impact of Inheritance Tax & Encouraging Succession Planning (12:48)Conservative Response to Political Opponents & Policy Depth (16:28)Commitment to Rural Communities & Reflecting on 14 Years in Power (20:37)Brexit's Legacy and Future EU Trade Relations for Agriculture (22:52)Animal Welfare Debates: Tail Docking, Bovine TB & Practical Farming Realities (26:24)The Vital Role of Young Farmers' Clubs & Restoring Funding (31:09)Addressing DEFRA's Disconnect: Staffing and Environment Agency Reform (36:09)Food Security as National Priority: Subsidies and Sustainable Production (40:47)Axing the Family Farm Tax: Conservative Pledges and Process (44:48)Engaging the Next Generation in Politics & Victoria Atkins' Enduring Commitment (47:19)Message us
With oil prices rising in response to US action in Iran, analyst Rupert Somerscales speaks to the Farmers Guardian team about the relationship with wheat and oilseed prices, and what the geopolitical situation means for agriculture, and farmers' grain marketing plans.Message us
Thousands of tonnes of perfectly good arable produce never leave the farm gate, due to spoilage, market gluts, or shifting contracts. But what actually happens to that surplus? In this episode, head of arable Ash Ellwood visits a re-distribution site in Merseyside to dig into the true scale of on-farm waste and follow the journey of surplus produce beyond the field.Discover how FareShare and The Felix Project are turning overlooked harvests into vital food supplies for nearly 8,000 charities and why understanding where your crop goes next could reshape how you see value, waste, and opportunity in your rotation.To get in touch with FareShare and The Felix Project, head to: https://thefelixproject.org/ or https://fareshare.org.uk/fareshareandfelix/Message us
Following last week's judicial review into the changes to Inheritance Tax, the Farmers Guardian news team discuss the case and what it means. We hear from Jane Thynne who was reporting in the court room, alongside claimant and farmer Tom Martin, Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins and businessman Steve Perez.Message us
The Farm Retail Association (FRA) conference focused on making the most of your diversified farm business, whilst focusing on the wider benefits to society - food miles, the economic contribution of farm shops and markets and the national health crisis. Emily Ashworth speaks to tv presenter Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall about farm-to-fork connection and if it really means something, and former FRA chair Emma Mosey, farmer and farm shop owner.Message us
As more deaths are reported on farm, reaching 30 for the year since April 2025, the Farmers Guardian team discuss reporting on these incidents and speak to Jill Hewitt from the NAAC about what the industry needs to change the safety culture.Message us
Farmers Guardian's news and business team reflect on the NFU Conference, from Emma Reynolds speech, more clarity on the Sustainable Farming Incentive Scheme, Tom Bradshaw's re-election to farmer views on the NFU and DefraMessage us
The Farmers Guardian team discuss the latest milk prices, when the market may see a turnaround and the health trends which could drive the milk price of the future.Message us
In the second of a two-part series, Farmers Guardian's Alex Black speaks to Sarah Aughwane from Withers to answer farmers' questions on wills and disputes in light of the upcoming changes to Inheritance TaxMessage us
Lambing is rarely perfect, even in the best-run flocks. In this episode, the Farmers Guardian podcast takes a practical look at navel health in lambs. Along with sheep vet Fiona Lovett and NoBACZ international business consultant, Dave Charles, we explore why problems like joint ill persist, where systems can break down under pressure, and how farmers can reduce risk through hygiene, colostrum management and consistent routines.Supported by NoBACZ HealthcareMessage us
In the first of a two-part series, Alex Black speaks to Carly Russell, partner at Collyer Bristow, about the upcoming changes to Inheritance Tax and what it means for those making succession plans and Mia Willemsen talks to Tom Martin about the granting of an urgent hearing for a judicial review into APR and BPR changes.Message us
Farmers Guardian's news and business team discuss the top news stories, including a look at the impact of Donald Trump's rhetoric on Greenland, protests at distribution centres by farmers and ask where the money is going as bread prices rise with grain in the doldrumsMessage us
Most of the Farmers Guardian team headed to LAMMA Show 2026 to host various panels, talk to manufacturers and discuss the issues that are impacting the industry most.This year saw LAMMA play host to two other major Agriconnect shows too - CropTec and Low Carbon Agriculture.FG's new Agriworks campaign, Future of Farming, also launched with multiple panels on topics such as profitability and succession.Listen to this week's special LAMMA podcast covering all of the above, plus the fight to get farming into schools, the machinery market outlook and how the arable sector is moving forwards in 2026.Message us
The Farmers Guardian news team reports from the Oxford and Oxford Real Farming Conferences and we hear from NFU president Tom Bradshaw as he reflects on the events of his two-year tenure.Message us
Tuesley Farm in Surrey welcomes more than 3,000 visitors each year on Open Farm Sunday. We meet managing director Jim Floor to find out why, in these uncertain times, such events bring some much-needed positivity.Message us
In what has been a turbulent year in agriculture, the FG team take a look back on the biggest events of the year. But, of course, it is the people that make agriculture, so who scoops this year's favourite feature? Message us
In this Christmas special, Emily Ashworth heads to Cannon Hall Farm to cook some festive recipes up with the Nicholson family. Sat around the farmhouse table, Rob, Dave, Richard and Roger talk about the farm, and memories of food growing up. Message us
In this Christmas in the Countryside special with Harriet Cowan, Emily Ashworth visits Clarkson's Farm star Harriet Cowan at her farm in Derbyshire, to find out about Harriet's farming life, her newfound stardom and what her farming future looks like. Message us
As 2025 draws to a close, Alex Black speaks to auctioneers Joe Bowman, Hywel Evans and LAA's Zanna Dennis about the trade over the past year, the impact of bluetongue on trade and expectations for 2026.Message us
In this regenerative farming special, Farmers Guardian regen blogger Silas Headley-Lawrence talks about farmers who have changed practices and seen the benefits in both their land and their financesMessage us
A one-off special episode brought to you by the Dairy Data Warehouse (DDW) explores how data, technology, and collaboration are reshaping the future of dairy farming. Fernando Mazeris, Managing Director of Dairy Data Warehouse, joins us to unpack what 12 years of working with one of the world's largest dairy datasets has revealed. We discuss how consistent data drives better decision-making, the shift from reactive to predictive herd management, and how breaking down industry silos can accelerate progress toward sustainability. Together, we examine what the next decade of artificial intelligence and data innovation means for farmers, consultants and the wider dairy value chain, and how smarter insights can help build a more resilient and sustainable industry.Message us
Following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget last week, Jane Thynne and Alex Black discuss what the change to spousal allowances means, speak to one of the farmers arrested at the Budget day protest and look at what happens next on Inheritance TaxMessage us
Olivia Midgley and Jane Thynne report live from London as farmers descended on the capital in tractors despite an eleventh hour announcement from the Metropolitan Police that vehicles including tractors would not be allowed. But, with the Chancellor only making a small concession on Inheritance Tax changes in the Autumn Budget, what is next for the countryside's biggest campaign?Message us
Following news that the University of Nottingham has suspended its agriculture courses, alongside a number of other degrees, Alex Black and Jane Thynne speak to students Herbert Pickford and Daisy Barrington-Phillips about what this means for students, the University and farming as a whole.Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/save-agriculture-at-the-university-of-nottingham?recruiter=1394467878&recruited_by_id=45aa1b10-bbeb-11f0-a6a7-553eee773799&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=starter_onboarding_share_personal&utm_medium=copylinkMessage us
In the global pantheon of industrial pioneers, few figures loom as large over British manufacturing as Lord Anthony Bamford. At 80, the chairman of JCB remains a titan of engineering ingenuity and a powerful advocate for British agriculture – particularly family farms. The Bamford story is one of relentless innovation and the family's investment in hydrogen combustion is testament to that. Machinery editor Toby Whatley speaks to Lord Bamford in this exclusive podcast.Message us
This weeks podcast is supported by Virbac, discussing all things bluetongue. Following the lift of bluetongue rules this week, we reflect with industry experts on the disease prevalence and look ahead to next year and rule changes that livestock farmers are wanting.Kate Ingram from Virbac joins up to discuss the role the vaccine plays in protecting livestock and what the uptake has been across the UK flock.Message us
Farmers Guardian's Alex Black and Jane Thynne are joined by farmer Ben Aveling to discuss the past 12 months, the impact of the reforms to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property relief on farm businesses and whether there is any prospect of changes being made.Message us
This week we meet Emily Norton, the new chair of AHDB. Emily discusses her career to date and how she intends to use her time at the levy board to rebuild farmer confidence.Message us
This week, to mark Wool Month, FG's Alex Black and Katie Fallon discuss the future fortunes of the British wool industryWe also have a short chat with Alice Lennox from the Rare Breeds Survival TrustMessage us
Farmers Guardian's news and business team discuss the Labour, Lib Dem, Conservative and Reform UK party conferences, what was being discussed about agriculture and farmers' messages to Sir Keir Starmer.Message us
Most of the country will know of Amanda Owen, the shepherdess who lives in the hills of the Yorkshire with nine children in tow, having watched them grow as a family over the years on popular TV programme, Our Yorkshire Farm. In this special episode, Amanda talks to Emily Ashworth, FG's digital editor, about the future of hill farming, family life and the importance of farming education in schools. Message us
Farmers Guardian's news and business team discuss the best diversification projects they have reported on, a look at the current landscape for new farm enterprises and Bidwells' Chris Thyer discusses the opportunities and challenges for solar and wind on-farmMessage us
This week the FG team discuss the pros and cons of regenerative farming and whether it can boost the bottom line. We also chat to Kayleigh Robb a first gen farmer who has taken on a 10-year regen tenancy.Message us
Following the reshuffle which saw Emma Reynolds take the reins at Defra, Farmers Guardian's news team discuss the new team, what it means for farming and what we learned from the Reform UK conference.Message us
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