Soaring diesel prices are putting fresh pressure on farm businesses – and the outlook suggests volatility could continue well into 2027.

In this episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast, we examine what is driving the surge in fuel costs, whether farmers should buy now or wait, and how hedging and reducing diesel use could help manage the risk.

We also ask whether artificial intelligence could eventually replace your agronomist after Bedfordshire grower Andrew Robinson handed control of a winter wheat fungicide programme to AI.

Plus, we hear from some of the winners at the 2026 Farmers Weekly Awards, discuss the latest debate over rural Britain and farm policy, bring you our weekly market round-up, and unveil Farmers Weekly Live – a new farm business event coming to Stoneleigh Park in July 2027.

The episode also includes the Farmers Weekly Autumn Drilling Update, in association with Bayer Crop Science.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
00:53 – Why diesel prices are soaring
03:59 – Should farmers buy diesel now or wait?
06:33 – What expensive diesel means for farming
14:10 – Autumn Drilling Update
17:02 – Can AI replace your agronomist?
19:05 – How AI could change agronomy
24:36 – This week in farming
27:37 – Rural Britain and Westminster
31:17 – Farming and the UK’s relationship with Europe
34:05 – Markets
36:38 – Farmers Weekly Live launches
43:01 – Podcast close

Guests

Patrick Crean – fuel procurement manager, AF Group
Jenny Deakin – Bayer Crop Science
Andrew Robinson – Bedfordshire arable farmer
Andrew Meredith – editor, Farmers Weekly
Dan Smith – managing director, Farmers Weekly
Presented by: Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.

Useful links

Farmers Weekly Live – 6-7 July 2027, NAEC Stoneleigh
Details of the new event and registration of interest. 
⁠https://www.fwi.co.uk/sp/events/farmers-weekly-live

Red diesel price volatility hits autumn fieldwork
Farmers Weekly’s report on the sharp rise in fuel costs and the implications for autumn operations. 
⁠https://www.fwi.co.uk/business/red-diesel-price-volatility-hits-autumn-fieldwork

Farmers Weekly Awards 2026 winners
The full list of this year’s winners, including Farm Manager of the Year Will Jones and Environmental Champion Colin Chappell. 
⁠https://www.fwi.co.uk/sp/events/past-winners-2026

Alistair Leake – Lifetime Achievement Award
Farmers Weekly profile of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement winner. 
⁠https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/farmers-weekly-awards-2026-lifetime-achievement-winner

Bayer Crop Science – autumn grassweed management
Advice on blackgrass, Italian ryegrass and brome management in wheat. 
⁠https://cropscience.bayer.co.uk/insights/weed-management/weed-out-uncertainty

Alternator Met herbicide information
Bayer Crop Science information on autumn cereal weed control and application timings. 
⁠https://cropscience.bayer.co.uk/our-products/herbicides/alternator-met

Farmers Weekly – latest farming news, analysis and markets
⁠https://www.fwi.co.uk/

Contact the podcast: podcast@fwi.co.uk
UK listeners can text FARM followed by their message to 88440.