In this episode, is the government about to backtrack on plans to pay farmers for creating and improving wildlife habitats.

We report from the frontline on the battle to save biodiversity net gain.

A warning for arable growers looking to use two key fungicides together – how to avoid cross-resistance.

Lamb war with France – what it means for UK sheep producers.

And how Red Tractor plans to streamline assessments and ditch unnecessary farm inspections.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker.

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 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, is the government about to backtrack on plans to pay farmers for creating and improving wildlife habitats.
We report from the frontline on the battle to save biodiversity net gain.
A warning for arable growers looking to use two key fungicides together &ndash; how to avoid cross-resistance.
Lamb war with France &ndash; what it means for UK sheep producers.
And how Red Tractor plans to streamline assessments and ditch unnecessary farm inspections.
This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker.
Contact or follow Johann:&nbsp;<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 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.

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

Nightmare before Christmas: Battle to save biodiversity net gain, cross-resistance fungicide warning, UK-France lamb war, & Red Tractor reviews standards

Tenant farmers are being urged to seek rent reductions as difficult arable economics put pressure on farm businesses – but how far should landlords go to share the pain?

This week, we examine calls for rent cuts of up to 20% and ask whether landlords and tenants need a new approach to negotiating rents during difficult years.

We also investigate the secret workshops helping farmers protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated rural crime.

Security specialist Frank Cannon explains why some crime-prevention advice is deliberately kept behind closed doors.

Meanwhile, pig producers face a difficult autumn after processors served notice on supply contracts.

Thousands of pigs could be left without a contracted buyer each week, accelerating the decline of independent production.

And finally, we head to the cinema for Derek vs Derek, a feature-length documentary following two neighbouring Devon farmers with very different ideas about the countryside: dairy farmer Derek Banbury and rewilder Derek Gow.

Derek vs Derek is directed by James Dawson and follows Derek Banbury and Derek Gow over three years. Its UK cinema release begins on 2 October 2026.

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

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
00:59 – Should tenant farmers demand rent cuts?
09:41 – Who should carry the pain in a bad year?
13:27 – Autumn drilling update with Bayer Crop Science
15:23 – Secret workshops tackle rural crime
18:11 – How farmers can make themselves harder targets
25:10 – Farming politics on the road
27:35 – Back British Farming Day
29:06 – Pig producers face contract crisis
33:43 – Markets: livestock, grain and fuel
36:09 – Derek vs Derek: farming meets rewilding
38:38 – Food production or nature – must farmers choose?
47:23 – Podcast wrap-up

Guests and useful links:

Richard King – partner, Andersons farm business consultants
Jeremy Moody – secretary and adviser, Central Association of Agricultural Valuers
Frank Cannon – chartered security professional, Rural SafeGuard
Alistair Driver – editor, Pig World

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. 

Tenant farmers are being urged to seek rent reductions as difficult arable economics put pressure on farm businesses &ndash; but how far should landlords go to share the pain?
This week, we examine calls for rent cuts of up to 20% and ask whether landlords and tenants need a new approach to negotiating rents during difficult years.
We also investigate the secret workshops helping farmers protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated rural crime.
Security specialist Frank Cannon explains why some crime-prevention advice is deliberately kept behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, pig producers face a difficult autumn after processors served notice on supply contracts.
Thousands of pigs could be left without a contracted buyer each week, accelerating the decline of independent production.
And finally, we head to the cinema for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeZbO-t3rlA">Derek vs Derek,</a> a feature-length documentary following two neighbouring Devon farmers with very different ideas about the countryside: dairy farmer Derek Banbury and rewilder Derek Gow.
Derek vs Derek is directed by James Dawson and follows Derek Banbury and Derek Gow over three years. Its UK cinema release begins on 2 October 2026.
This episode is brought to you by&nbsp;Bayer Crop Science &ndash; weeding out uncertainty.
Chapters
00:00 &ndash; Introduction 00:59 &ndash; Should tenant farmers demand rent cuts? 09:41 &ndash; Who should carry the pain in a bad year? 13:27 &ndash; Autumn drilling update with Bayer Crop Science 15:23 &ndash; Secret workshops tackle rural crime 18:11 &ndash; How farmers can make themselves harder targets 25:10 &ndash; Farming politics on the road 27:35 &ndash; Back British Farming Day 29:06 &ndash; Pig producers face contract crisis 33:43 &ndash; Markets: livestock, grain and fuel 36:09 &ndash; Derek vs Derek: farming meets rewilding 38:38 &ndash; Food production or nature &ndash; must farmers choose? 47:23 &ndash; Podcast wrap-up
Guests and useful links:
Richard King &ndash; partner, <a href="https://theandersonscentre.co.uk/">Andersons farm business consultants</a> Jeremy Moody &ndash; secretary and adviser, <a href="https://www.caav.org.uk/">Central Association of Agricultural Valuers</a> Frank Cannon &ndash; chartered security professional, <a href="https://ruralsafeguard.com/">Rural SafeGuard</a> Alistair Driver &ndash; editor, <a href="https://www.pig-world.co.uk/">Pig World</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;

Farm rent cuts, secret rural crime workshops, pig sector crisis, & Derek vs Derek

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;

Nightmare before Christmas: Battle to save biodiversity net gain, cross-resistance fungicide warning, UK-France lamb war, & Red Tractor reviews standards

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