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 package
01:52 – SFI flexibility in extreme drought
06:33 – What does the £65m package actually offer?
10:40 – Extra grazing for livestock farmers
13:07 – Can farmers rely on SFI long term?
15:51 – Farmers Weekly Harvest Update with KWS
18:04 – When should growers start autumn drilling?
23:17 – Blackgrass, herbicides and dry seedbeds
26:06 – Should growers risk drilling oilseed rape?
28:37 – Livestock forage crisis deepens
29:57 – Drought threatens fertility and production
32:18 – Sheep, forage and winter feed stocks
5:23 – Listener feedback and farming resilience
36:34 – Farmers battle South Wales wildfires
39:29 – Grain prices react to Black Sea attacks
40:26 – This week’s farmgate prices
42:56 – Three old men in boats
44:37 – 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/

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