Sheep farmers are being urged to consider vaccination as a surge in bluetongue cases causes serious losses across south-west England.

We have the latest on the worsening outbreak, the risks associated with livestock movements and whether vaccination makes financial sense.

We also examine the impact of extreme heat and drought on this year’s harvest.

Soil scientist Danni Robb explains why high temperatures can damage grain yields, how warmer nights affect crops and what growers can do to improve resilience.

Plus, we discuss forage shortages, chickpea prices, straw and wool insulation, and the latest farm commodity prices.

And Louise visits the winner of the 2026 Silver Lapwing Award – and sees how farming goes hand-in-hand with outstanding environmental management in Gloucestershire.

This episode is brought to you by crop protection specialists Certis Belchim.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
00:57 – Surge in bluetongue cases hits sheep farms
01:19 – Philippa Page and Phil Stocker assess the outbreak
03:03 – Should farmers vaccinate before tupping?
04:55 – Hugh Broom on sheep losses in south-west England
07:48 – Certis Belchim message: managing take-all in cereal crops
09:29 – Heat, drought and poor harvest yields
11:06 – How warm nights affect wheat yields
12:16 – Which crops have performed better?
13:28 – Varieties, soil health and climate resilience
24:11 – Podcast updates and listener feedback
25:40 – Chickpea prices and imported competition
27:03 – Warning over adding moisture to stored grain
27:38 – The environmental impact of free-range eggs
31:09 – Hugh tries British wool insulation
33:06 – This week’s farm commodity prices
35:24 – Frampton Court Estate wins the Silver Lapwing Award
36:05 – Peter Clifford on agroforestry and farm partnerships
37:35 – Funding environmental work in the future
42:07 – Closing remarks

Guests

* Philippa Page, president, Sheep Veterinary Society
* Phil Stocker, chief executive, National Sheep Association
* Dani Robb, soil scientist, Ceres Research
* Peter Clifford, Frampton Court Estate

Useful links

* Bluetongue guidance
* Bluetongue vaccination guidance
* National Sheep Association
* Sheep Veterinary Society
* British Society of Soil Science
* Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
* Silver Lapwing Award
* Frampton Court Estate

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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