The Farmers Weekly Podcast

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 the value of farming to the wider economy. We debate the impact of hot weather and this month's record-breaking temperatures on farm enterprises. We also examine Defra’s refreshed bovine TB strategy, including new testing approaches and the prospect of cattle vaccination by 2030. With the UK marking 10 years since the Brexit referendum, Cheffins chairman Bill King explains how leaving the EU has changed the trade in second-hand farm machinery. And we visit Courteenhall Estate in Northamptonshire, winner of a King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. This episode is brought to you in partnership with crop protection specialists Certis Belchim. Guest speakers * Tom Bradshaw, president, NFU* Paul Tompkins, deputy president, NFU* Josh Swain, farm animal vet, Synergy Animal Health* Bill King, chairman, Cheffins* Dr Johnny Wake, managing partner, Courteenhall Estate Chapters 00:00 Intro and headlines01:13 Defra unveils 25-year farming roadmap01:45 Tom Bradshaw on whether the roadmap goes far enough05:42 Louise and Hugh analyse the plan12:09 Certis Belchim partner message: managing take-all risk13:48 Defra refreshes bovine TB eradication strategy14:59 Josh Swain explains new TB testing technology16:30 Hugh and Louise discuss TB testing, vaccination and farm impact24:24 Hot weather, harvest prospects and climate adaptation26:30 Brexit: 10 years on for farm machinery trade27:04 Bill King on export friction after Brexit31:25 Hugh and Louise assess Brexit’s farming legacy36:45 This week’s commodity prices38:31 Courteenhall Estate wins King’s Award for sustainability42:41 Looking ahead to Groundswell Useful links * Defra farming roadmap* Defra bovine TB strategy update* Cheffins farm machinery auctions* Courteenhall Estate* King’s Awards for Enterprise* Groundswell This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. We love to hear from you: - 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, as concern grows about funding for the government's flagship agri-environment scheme, we look at ways to farm profitably without subsidies. Farmers who are doing just that share their secrets at the Norfolk Farming Conference and the BASE UK conference in Huntingdon. They include Nottinghamshire farmer Joe Howard, of Howard Farms and Grassroots Farming; and Cotswolds farmer Henry Astor, of Bruern Farms, who is supplying Gails bakeries. We also talk to Cambridgeshire farmer David Wheatley, of Petite Peonies; and Lancashire farmer Martin Caunce, of Brow Farm. We also discuss the LinkedIn article about future funding for the Sustainable Farming Incentive by Geoff Sansome, former head of agriculture at Natural England. We find out how to add extreme value to farm output – and how to harness the power of social media as a valuable marketing tool to consumers. And we meet Sam Stables – the Herefordshire farmer who raised more than £40,000 for charity by walking 142 miles to London during Mind Your Head Week. If you wish to make a donation, you can do so via Sam's fundraising page. 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. We'd love to hear from you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did the government break its own rules when it imposed inheritance tax on farmers? The High Court orders an urgent two-day judicial review of the Chancellor’s plans to hit family-owned businesses with death duties. Beef and dairy producers could have to pay a licence to farm – we find out what buying an environmental permit could mean for your farm business. And we meet the arable growers achieving amazing yields – and examine what the future holds for the Yield Enhancement Network. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, failure to test illegal meat imports could leave livestock farmers exposed to animal disease, say food safety experts. Sheep producers face a government clampdown on tail docking and lamb castration – how you can have your say on animal welfare. And why farming needs better leaders: how a professional approach – and chartered status – could help recruit more people into agriculture. To have your say on lamb welfare, visit the Defra consultation on on proposed changes to castration and tail docking methods. The Society of Agriculture website is soc-ag.org. The white paper by Paul Harris about putting people first in farming can be downloaded from https://real-success.co.uk/white-paper-2/ (you will be asked to submit your email address). 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time Event at the 2026 Oxford Farming Conference. Recorded in front of a live audience on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, farmers and other conference delegates quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is:- Tom Bradshaw, NFU president- Henry Tufnell, Labour MP for Mid- and South Pembrokeshire- Kelly Hewson-Fisher, head of rural research, Savills- Peter Craven, head of agriculture, Natural England- Emma White, FairShare & The Felix Project This Farmers Weekly Question Time is sponsored by Savills. Farmers Weekly Question Time is hosted, edited and produced by Johann Tasker. To attend or sponsor future Farmers Weekly Question Time events, visit fwi.co.uk/questiontime. Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.