As drought conditions worsen across England, MPs demand urgent government action to safeguard water supplies for food production.

South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough says farmers need more flexible abstraction licences, simpler rules for building reservoirs and adequate support.

We examine Defra’s new £1.5m Farmer Welfare Grant and ask whether improving personal resilience can help farmers navigate increasingly volatile weather, markets and government policy.

Meanwhile, grain marketing consultant Richard Whitlock warns growers to carry out due diligence when selling grain as profitability among merchants comes under pressure.

And we celebrate 150 volumes of the Aberdeen Angus Herd Book – and ask how genetics and data could shape the breed’s next 150 years.

Guests

* Ben Goldsborough – Labour MP for South Norfolk
* Samantha “Sammy” Seaman – farm leadership, mindset and resilience coach
* Richard Whitlock – grain marketing consultant
* Robert Gilchrist – chief executive, Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society

Chapters

00:55 – Farmers demand their fair share of water
01:25 – Ben Goldsborough: “Drier than Jerusalem”
02:28 – Abstraction licences and regulation
03:16 – Food security versus data centres
03:48 – What farmers can do
05:35 – Is Defra listening?
08:17 – What help do drought-hit farms need?
10:57 – A climate “doom loop”?
14:37 – Bayer Autumn Drilling Update
16:55 – £1.5m Farmer Welfare Grant
17:20 – Samantha Seaman on handling pressure
20:01 – Building resilient farm businesses
23:25 – Can farmers bounce back?
26:31 – Bluetongue situation worsens
30:57 – Sustainable Farming Incentive update
32:27 – Harvest quality surprises
34:47 – Be careful who buys your grain
36:47 – Checking your grain buyer
38:30 – Commodity markets
41:27 – Aberdeen Angus at 150
42:29 – Why Aberdeen Angus endures
43:17 – Genetics, DNA and lower emissions
49:30 – Closing remarks

Useful links

- Rural Payments Agency extreme weather guidance
- Defra Farmer Welfare Grant
- Samantha Seaman Coaching
- Richard Whitlock – grain merchant analysis
- Bayer Crop Science weed management
- Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society

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/

For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly

To contact, sponsor or advertise on 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.