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

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 pros…

Drought crisis loans, does regen farming stack up?, bluetongue vaccination, & China food security

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 …

£65m drought aid, autumn drilling, livestock forage, firefighting farmers & fundraising for mental health

In this episode, Defra unveils a £65m package to help drought-hit farmers – we examine how it could help your farm business. We also look at whether growers should start drilling winter crops into exceptionally dry soils – and assess the worsening forage situation for cattle and sheep. Elsewhere,…

Drought crisis, grain marketing, farm welfare grants, & 150 years of Aberdeen Angus cattle

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 …

Bluetongue surge, harvest yields explained, and wildlife-friendly farming

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 impa…

Angela Eagle returns to Defra, Welsh farm funding, sugar beet factory closure, David Barton tribute, & combine harvester fires

What does Dame Angela Eagle’s appointment as Defra secretary mean for UK agriculture? This week, we examine the new secretary of state’s priorities, political influence and ability to secure the long-term budgets farmers say they need. We also hear from NFU Sugar chairman Kit Papworth following B…

What to expect from Andy Burnham's government, no murder charge over farm shooting, & UK chickpea challenge

What does an Andy Burnham government mean for UK agriculture? This week, Westminster watcher Jeremy Moody examines the new prime minister’s farming credentials – and whether a land value tax could hit agricultural businesses. We also examine the law on defending yourself and your property after p…

Heatwave harvest grain-washing alert, Farming Roadmap 'waffle', Scottish agriculture, & Erling Haaland backs British farmers

A third summer heatwave is creating difficult harvesting conditions, with shrivelled grain, variable cereal yields and combines being forced to operate early in the morning or late at night. We examine warnings against “grain washing” - adding water to very dry harvested grain before it goes into …

Groundswell 2026: Private money for green farming, Wildfarmed, Kemi Badenoch & 10 years of regenerative agriculture

This week’s Farmers Weekly Podcast comes from the Groundswell show in Hertfordshire, where Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch tells farmers she wants their ideas for a new rural policy. Speaking to Farmers Weekly, Ms Badenoch says future policy should be shaped by farmers and land managers – not ju…

Flaming June, Farming Roadmap, bovine TB, farm machinery 10 years post- Brexit, and green award for farm estate

This week, we examine whether the government’s long-awaited 25-year Farming Roadmap will deliver the certainty, confidence and investment farmers need. NFU president Tom Bradshaw gives his reaction to Defra’s plan, while we discuss profitability, agri-environment funding, climate resilience and th…