Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time Event at the 2026 Association of Independent Crop Consultants Conference.

Recorded in front of a live audience on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, farmers and other conference delegates quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues.

Our panel is:
Baroness Minette Batters, author of the Farming Profitability Review
Andrew Blazey, AICC chairman and partner at Prime Agriculture
Jenny Brunton, senior European policy advisor at the British Agriculture Bureau, Brussels
Yorkshire farmer Paul Temple, of the Global Farmer Network.
Oli Fletcher, is a Leicestershire farmer, historian and Farming Explained YouTuber

Farmers Weekly Question Time is hosted by Farmers Weekly Podcast editor Johann Tasker. To attend or sponsor future Farmers Weekly Question Time events, visit fwi.co.uk/questiontime.

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast &ndash; the Farmers Weekly Question Time Event at the 2026 Association of Independent Crop Consultants Conference.
Recorded in front of a live audience on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, farmers and other conference delegates quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues.
Our panel is:
<ul>
<li>Baroness Minette Batters,&nbsp;author of the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/farming-profitability-review-2025-an-independent-review">Farming Profitability Review</a></li>
<li>Andrew Blazey, <a href="https://aicc.org.uk/">AICC</a> chairman and partner at <a href="https://primeag.co.uk/">Prime Agriculture</a></li>
<li>Jenny Brunton, senior European policy advisor at the <a href="https://www.britishagriculturebureau.co.uk/">British Agriculture Bureau</a>, Brussels</li>
<li>Yorkshire farmer Paul Temple, of the <a href="https://globalfarmernetwork.org/">Global Farmer Network</a>.</li>
<li>Oli Fletcher, is a Leicestershire farmer, historian and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@farmingexplained">Farming Explained</a> YouTuber</li>
</ul>
Farmers Weekly Question Time is hosted by Farmers Weekly Podcast editor Johann Tasker. To attend or sponsor future Farmers Weekly Question Time events, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fwi.co.uk/sp/questiontime/question-time">fwi.co.uk/questiontime</a>.

The inside track on the biggest stories affecting UK agriculture - with Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Every Friday.

The inside track on the biggest stories affecting UK agriculture - with Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Every Friday.

The Farmers Weekly Podcast

Farmers Weekly Question Time: AICC Agronomy Conference 2026

In this episode, we examine new farm-level evidence suggesting phosphorus is coming into balance on farms in the River Wye catchment – and ask what it means for water pollution.

We visit a field trial where precision breeding could make UK-grown soya commercially possible.

We examine the continuing decline in cattle and sheep numbers, and run the rule over the latest livestock and arable markets.

And we discover why some of Britain’s biggest music names are heading to Suffolk for a harvest festival with a difference.

This episode is brought to you by Bayer Crop Science – weeding out uncertainty.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
00:51 – River Wye: are farmers turning the tide on pollution?
10:18 – Bayer autumn drilling update: tackling weeds field by field
12:20 – Could gene-edited soya become a UK break crop?
21:51 – Farming news: El Niño, Asian hornets and SFI26
26:07 – Why are Britain’s beef and sheep herds shrinking?
32:21 – Markets: beef firms as grain prices rise
34:59 – A Great British Harvest Festival with a difference
42:13 – That’s all for this week

Guests
Dan Smith – farm facilitator, Herefordshire Rural Hub
Rachel Banks – technical manager, Bayer Crop Science
Dr Frank Röber – Europe Breeding Alliances lead, Corteva Agriscience
Philip Case – Farmers Weekly
Prys Morgan – beef and lamb sector director, AHDB
Andrew Sunnucks – farmer and music producer

Useful links

River Wye nutrient balance project
River Wye water quality – Environment Agency
SFI26 Window 2
AHDB Beef & Lamb
Bayer Crop Science
Great British Harvest Festival

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. 

In this episode, we examine new farm-level evidence suggesting phosphorus is coming into balance on farms in the River Wye catchment &ndash; and ask what it means for water pollution.
We visit a field trial where precision breeding could make UK-grown soya commercially possible.
We examine the continuing decline in cattle and sheep numbers, and run the rule over the latest livestock and arable markets.
And we discover why some of Britain&rsquo;s biggest music names are heading to Suffolk for a harvest festival with a difference.
This episode is brought to you by Bayer Crop Science &ndash; weeding out uncertainty.
Chapters
00:00 &ndash; Introduction 00:51 &ndash; River Wye: are farmers turning the tide on pollution? 10:18 &ndash; Bayer autumn drilling update: tackling weeds field by field 12:20 &ndash; Could gene-edited soya become a UK break crop? 21:51 &ndash; Farming news: El Ni&ntilde;o, Asian hornets and SFI26 26:07 &ndash; Why are Britain&rsquo;s beef and sheep herds shrinking? 32:21 &ndash; Markets: beef firms as grain prices rise 34:59 &ndash; A <a href="https://gbhf.co.uk/">Great British Harvest Festival</a> with a difference 42:13 &ndash; That&rsquo;s all for this week
Guests
<ul>
<li>Dan Smith &ndash; farm facilitator, Herefordshire Rural Hub</li>
<li>Rachel Banks &ndash; technical manager, Bayer Crop Science</li>
<li>Dr Frank R&ouml;ber &ndash; Europe Breeding Alliances lead, Corteva Agriscience</li>
<li>Philip Case &ndash; Farmers Weekly</li>
<li>Prys Morgan &ndash; beef and lamb sector director, AHDB</li>
<li>Andrew Sunnucks &ndash; farmer and music producer</li>
</ul>
Useful links
<a href="https://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=9353">River Wye nutrient balance project</a> <a href="https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/river-wye-water-quality">River Wye water quality &ndash; Environment Agency</a> <a href="https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2026/08/29/sfi26-update-window-1-now-closed/">SFI26 Window 2</a> <a href="https://ahdb.org.uk/beef-lamb">AHDB Beef &amp; Lamb</a> <a href="https://cropscience.bayer.co.uk/">Bayer Crop Science</a> <a href="https://gbhf.co.uk/">Great British Harvest Festival</a>
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: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/">linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/</a>
Contact or follow Louise: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/">linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/</a>
Contact or follow Hugh: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/">linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/</a>
For Farmers Weekly, visit <a href="https://fwi.co.uk/">fwi.co.uk</a> or follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly">linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly</a>
To contact, sponsor or advertise on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email <a href="mailto:podcast@fwi.co.uk">podcast@fwi.co.uk</a>. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.&nbsp;

River Wye pollution progress, gene-edited soya, falling livestock numbers & Great British Harvest Festival

In this episode, how much rain is enough to start drilling after one of the driest summers in recent memory?

We look at autumn crop establishment as growers weigh up whether to put oilseed rape and other crops into exceptionally dry soils – or wait for more meaningful rainfall.

We assess the prospects for the coming sugar beet harvest after drought, heat and pest pressure take their toll on crops.

And farm leaders call for tougher controls on Brazilian beef and imported eggs as questions mount over whether food coming into Britain meets the same standards expected of UK producers.

Meanwhile, fertiliser suppliers urge growers to start talking about next season’s requirements as geopolitical disruption threatens to disrupt another buying season.

And finally, a police watchdog says firearms licensing in England and Wales is “not fit for purpose”.

What would a new national licensing authority mean for the thousands of farmers and other rural businesses that rely on shotguns and firearms for their work?

This episode is brought to you by KWS – seeding the future since 1856.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
00:53 – How much rain is enough to drill oilseed rape?
02:24 – How late is too late for oilseed rape?
03:21 – Drilling into exceptionally dry seed-beds
04:01 – Should growers increase seed rates?
05:07 – Has this week’s rain changed anything?
07:14 – Grass, cover crops and an exceptionally early maize harvest
08:21 – What happened to cabbage stem flea beetle?
09:24 – Farmers Weekly Harvest Update with KWS
11:45 – How badly has drought hit sugar beet?
14:02 – Beet armyworm adds to pest pressure
15:01 – Building more resilient sugar beet crops
16:05 – Can plant breeding deliver drought tolerance?
16:52 – What are growers expecting from harvest?
19:29 – A difficult lifting campaign ahead?
20:49 – Calls to stop Brazilian beef imports
21:11 – Imported eggs and the salmonella outbreak
22:53 – Farmers urged to plan fertiliser requirements early
24:17 – Geopolitics puts fertiliser supply chains under pressure
25:01 – But what about farm cash flow?
26:17 – Can the supply chain cope with another late rush?
28:59 – Markets update
29:20 – Firearms licensing ‘not fit for purpose’
30:25 – Farmers’ experience of firearms licensing
31:26 – Would a national firearms authority work better?
32:18 – Closing remarks

Guests
Jock Willmott – partner and agronomist, Ceres Rural
Matt Bull – product manager, KWS
Dr Georgina Barratt – head of crop production, British Beet Research Organisation
Harriet Trewin – head of fertiliser, Agricultural Industries Confederation
Lee Freeman – HM inspector of constabulary

Useful links

⁠Ceres Rural
⁠British Beet Research Organisation
⁠Agricultural Industries Confederation
Latest UKHSA salmonella outbreak update
Government firearms licensing guidance

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. 

In this episode, how much rain is enough to start drilling after one of the driest summers in recent memory?
We look at autumn crop establishment as growers weigh up whether to put oilseed rape and other crops into exceptionally dry soils &ndash; or wait for more meaningful rainfall.
We assess the prospects for the coming sugar beet harvest after drought, heat and pest pressure take their toll on crops.
And farm leaders call for tougher controls on Brazilian beef and imported eggs as questions mount over whether food coming into Britain meets the same standards expected of UK producers.
Meanwhile, fertiliser suppliers urge growers to start talking about next season&rsquo;s requirements as geopolitical disruption threatens to disrupt another buying season.
And finally, a police watchdog says firearms licensing in England and Wales is &ldquo;not fit for purpose&rdquo;.
What would a new national licensing authority mean for the thousands of farmers and other rural businesses that rely on shotguns and firearms for their work?
This episode is brought to you by <a href="https://www.kws.com/gb/en/">KWS &ndash; seeding the future since 1856</a>.
Chapters
00:00 &ndash; Introduction 00:53 &ndash; How much rain is enough to drill oilseed rape? 02:24 &ndash; How late is too late for oilseed rape? 03:21 &ndash; Drilling into exceptionally dry seed-beds 04:01 &ndash; Should growers increase seed rates? 05:07 &ndash; Has this week&rsquo;s rain changed anything? 07:14 &ndash; Grass, cover crops and an exceptionally early maize harvest 08:21 &ndash; What happened to cabbage stem flea beetle? 09:24 &ndash; Farmers Weekly Harvest Update with KWS 11:45 &ndash; How badly has drought hit sugar beet? 14:02 &ndash; Beet armyworm adds to pest pressure 15:01 &ndash; Building more resilient sugar beet crops 16:05 &ndash; Can plant breeding deliver drought tolerance? 16:52 &ndash; What are growers expecting from harvest? 19:29 &ndash; A difficult lifting campaign ahead? 20:49 &ndash; Calls to stop Brazilian beef imports 21:11 &ndash; Imported eggs and the salmonella outbreak 22:53 &ndash; Farmers urged to plan fertiliser requirements early 24:17 &ndash; Geopolitics puts fertiliser supply chains under pressure 25:01 &ndash; But what about farm cash flow? 26:17 &ndash; Can the supply chain cope with another late rush? 28:59 &ndash; Markets update 29:20 &ndash; Firearms licensing &lsquo;not fit for purpose&rsquo; 30:25 &ndash; Farmers&rsquo; experience of firearms licensing 31:26 &ndash; Would a national firearms authority work better? 32:18 &ndash; Closing remarks
Guests
<ul>
<li>Jock Willmott &ndash; partner and agronomist, Ceres Rural</li>
<li>Matt Bull &ndash; product manager, KWS</li>
<li>Dr Georgina Barratt &ndash; head of crop production, British Beet Research Organisation</li>
<li>Harriet Trewin &ndash; head of fertiliser, Agricultural Industries Confederation</li>
<li>Lee Freeman &ndash; HM inspector of constabulary</li>
</ul>
Useful links
⁠<a href="https://ceresrural.co.uk/meet-the-team/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Ceres Rural</a> ⁠<a href="https://www.bbro.co.uk/resources/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">British Beet Research Organisation</a> ⁠<a href="https://www.agindustries.org.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Agricultural Industries Confederation</a><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/salmonella-outbreak-update?utm_source=chatgpt.com"> Latest UKHSA salmonella outbreak update</a> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/firearms-licensing-police-guidance?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Government firearms licensing guidance</a>
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: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/">linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/</a>
Contact or follow Louise: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/">linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/</a>
Contact or follow Hugh: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/">linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/</a>
For Farmers Weekly, visit <a href="https://fwi.co.uk/">fwi.co.uk</a> or follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly">linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly</a>
To contact, sponsor or advertise on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email <a href="mailto:podcast@fwi.co.uk">podcast@fwi.co.uk</a>. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.&nbsp;

Autumn drilling gamble, fertiliser warning, sugar beet drought, Brazilian beef imports, and firearms licensing

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/

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. 

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 &ndash; 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&rsquo;s drive for greater food self-sufficiency and what it could mean for global agricultural markets.
And a new report called <a href="From%20Risk%20to%20Reward">From Risk to Reward</a>&nbsp;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 <a href="https://cropscience.bayer.co.uk/weed-management">Bayer CropScience</a> - weeding out uncertainty.
Chapters
00:00 &ndash; Introduction 01:02 &ndash; Could crisis loans keep farmers farming? 04:30 &ndash; Would the loans make a difference? 09:46 &ndash; Autumn Drilling Update with Bayer Cropscience 11:44 &ndash; Bluetongue spreads further across Britain 17:05 &ndash; Is it too late to vaccinate? 17:57 &ndash; Preparing for bluetongue in 2027 23:34 &ndash; Harvest, autumn cultivations and SFI 27:07 &ndash; China targets greater food self-sufficiency 30:06 &ndash; Markets 33:16 &ndash; Who pays for regenerative farming? 39:02 &ndash; Should food companies share the risk?
Guests
Alex Godfrey &ndash; Lincolnshire farmer and chairman, GB Potatoes Rachel Banks &ndash; technical manager, Bayer Cropscience Claire Wise &ndash; acting national livestock chair, NFU Mandy Nevel &ndash; head of animal health, AHDB Joe Stanley &ndash; head of sustainable farming, Allerton Project
Useful Links
<a href="https://www.nfuonline.com/news/nfu-convenes-farming-roundtable-as-farmers-reach-crisis-point/">Keep Britain Growing Loan</a> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue-latest-situation">Bluetongue &ndash; latest situation</a> <a href="https://cropscience.bayer.co.uk/weed-management">Bayer weed management advice</a> <a href="https://www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/sustainability/regenerative-agriculture">Regenerative agriculture and Nestl&eacute;</a> <a href="https://www.allertontrust.org.uk/">Allerton Project</a> <a href="https://www.allertontrust.org.uk/projects/nestle/">From Risk to Reward</a>
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: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/">linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/</a>
Contact or follow Louise: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/">linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/</a>
Contact or follow Hugh: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/">linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/</a>
For Farmers Weekly, visit <a href="https://fwi.co.uk/">fwi.co.uk</a> or follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly">linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly</a>
To contact, sponsor or advertise on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email <a href="mailto:podcast@fwi.co.uk">podcast@fwi.co.uk</a>. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.&nbsp;

Farmers Weekly Question Time: AICC Agronomy Conference 2026

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