Could government-backed crisis loans help cash-strapped farmers recover from drought and keep Britain producing food?

This week, we examine industry proposals for a Keep Britain Growing Loan – an interest-free, government-backed scheme planned for farmers.

With the bluetongue outbreak continuing to spread northwards, we hear why livestock producers are being urged to vaccinate susceptible cattle and sheep as soon as possible.

We look at China’s drive for greater food self-sufficiency and what it could mean for global agricultural markets.

And a new report called From Risk to Reward examines the financial cost of switching to regenerative farming.

If farmers lose money during the transition, should food companies and the wider supply chain shoulder more of the risk?

This episode is brought to you by Bayer CropScience - weeding out uncertainty.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
01:02 – Could crisis loans keep farmers farming?
04:30 – Would the loans make a difference?
09:46 – Autumn Drilling Update with Bayer Cropscience
11:44 – Bluetongue spreads further across Britain
17:05 – Is it too late to vaccinate?
17:57 – Preparing for bluetongue in 2027
23:34 – Harvest, autumn cultivations and SFI
27:07 – China targets greater food self-sufficiency
30:06 – Markets
33:16 – Who pays for regenerative farming?
39:02 – Should food companies share the risk?

Guests

Alex Godfrey – Lincolnshire farmer and chairman, GB Potatoes
Rachel Banks – technical manager, Bayer Cropscience
Claire Wise – acting national livestock chair, NFU
Mandy Nevel – head of animal health, AHDB
Joe Stanley – head of sustainable farming, Allerton Project

Useful Links

Keep Britain Growing Loan
Bluetongue – latest situation
Bayer weed management advice
Regenerative agriculture and Nestlé
Allerton Project
From Risk to Reward

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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