In this episode, we look at government plans to reduce the area of UK farmland – and use it instead to restore nature and create wildlife habitats.

The government's Land Use Framework for England – which is out for consultation – will earmark different areas of land for different uses.

Objectives include food production, building 1.5 million homes this parliament, and helping to mitigate climate change.

We examine what this means for key areas such as the Fens, with a visit to the Fenland Soil Conference in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

With beef prices reaching record highs, we look at the prospects for the sector for farmers – and the price of steak for consumers.

And as the battle over inheritance tax continues, we look at how banks say they are trying to support growers and livestock producers.

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

Follow Johann (X): @johanntasker

Follow Louise (X): @louisearable

Follow Hugh (X): @sondesplacefarm

For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweekly

To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email [email protected]. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this episode, we look at how a group of 'Pulse Pioneers' are sowing the seeds for a revival of Britain's pea and bean crops.

Pulse crops have many benefits. They include better soil health, less reliance on chemical fertilisers and lower dependency on pesticides.

But inconsistent performance can make them difficult to grow profitably. We look at possible answers – and the bigger picture.

For more information about the pea and bean project, visit the Pulse Pioneers and the Nitrogen Smart Climate initiative website.

The long-awaited farm assurance review says there needs to be a change in leadership culture at Red Tractor. Can it really happen?

We've a look at the market for spring fertiliser – and the latest on the inheritance tax battle, including the Farming Day of Unity.

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

Follow Johann (X): @johanntasker

Follow Louise (X): @louisearable

Follow Hugh (X): @sondesplacefarm

For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweekly

To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email [email protected]. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this episode, we discover how machinery manufacturers are making it easier for farmers to get their hands on the latest kit and technology.

We visit the 2025 LAMMA farm machinery show – the two-day extravaganza bringing 40,000 visitors to the Birmingham NEC.

We speak to farmers, machinery manufacturers and auctioneers – and get the lowdown on the prospects for the sector for the year ahead.

As Morrisons backs farmers against the government on inheritance tax, we look at plans for further farm protests.

And we find out how shadow Defra secretary Victoria Atkins is tackling government ministers on behalf of family farmers.

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

Follow Johann (X): @johanntasker

Follow Louise (X): @louisearable

Follow Hugh (X): @sondesplacefarm

For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweekly

To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email [email protected]. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this episode, UK environment secretary Steve Reed pledges a better future for Britain's farmers. Is it a New Deal? Or is it a raw deal?

Mr Reed's speech to this year's Oxford Farming Conference made much mention of food security and the need to increase agricultural productivity and profitability.

Meanwhile, farmers say they will ramp up protest against government plans to impose 20% inheritance tax on farm asset worth more than £1 million.

As the UK's first case of glyphosate-resistant weeds are confirmed on a farm in Kent, we look at the implications for growers – especially regenerative farmers.

This episode is co-hosted by Farmers Weekly podcast editor Johann Tasker, arable specialist Louise Impey and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.

To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, please email [email protected]. In England, you can also message us by texting the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time Event at the 2025 Oxford Farming Conference.

Recorded in front of a live audience on Wednesday the 8th of January 2025, farmers and other conference delegates quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues.

Our panel is:

- Minette Batters, cross-bench peer & immediate past president, NFU

- Graham Wilkinson, chief executive, Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board

- Alice Groom, head of sustainable land management, RSPB

- Matt Lobley, professor of rural resource management, Exeter University

- Oli Fletcher, farmer, rural historian & Farming Explained YouTube channel host

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

In this episode, we look at the prospects for farming in 2025 – and discuss the opportunities for growers and livestock producers.

We examine the outlook for profitable UK food production, ways to generate income from the farmed environment and the likely direction for government policy.

First, though, we preview the Oxford Farming Conference (8-10 January) – which has a reputation for setting the political agenda for the farming year.

This year's conference will see a keynote speech by Defra secretary Steve Reed following a series of controversial policy announcements.

Does the (still) fledgling Labour government really understand farming? And, if so, why has it imposed inheritance tax on farm assets worth more than £1 million?

Contributors include:

• Oxford Farming Conference chairman Geoff Sansome
• Policy analyst Emily Norton, Farm Foresight
• Graham Redman, The Andersons Centre
• Tim Isaac, Ceres Rural

Listeners in England can obtain free farm support advice until March 2025 under Defra's Farm Resilience Fund – subject to eligibility criteria.

This episode is hosted by Johann Tasker.

To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, please email [email protected]. In England, you can also message us by texting the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this episode, we visit the AgriTechE REAP conference – the annual showcase for the latest innovations in agriculture.

We find out how simple innovations can make farming more profitable – enabling farmers to work smarter rather than harder.

From completing Sustainable Farming Incentive applications at the push of a button to using semen analysis to breed better livestock.

We talk to start-up agri-tech entrepreneurs and some of the biggest global names in farming who are embracing big ideas to boost productivity.

We get together with the Silicon Valley expert who explains how artificial intelligence is available now – and how farmers can get involved.

And we meet the co-founder of a fledgling business on a quest to brew the perfect cup of coffee from UK-grown ingredients.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker

To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email [email protected]. In the UK, you can also message us by texting the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Hundreds of tractors descend on central London as farmers ramp up protests against the government's autumn Budget.

As 500 tractors park outside Downing Street, we speak to farmers and protest organisers – and scrutinise the latest government announcement.

Farmer and agricultural historian Oli Fletcher, from the Farming Explained YouTube channel, puts the protests in their wider context.

We also analyse claims by Defra that it has injected £350m into farming to boost the UK's food security.

Other government policies mentioned in this episode include:

• Mirror agreements for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier
• Agreement extensions for Higher Level Stewardship
• Capital grants: guidance for applicants and agreement holders

Further protests are being planned – including a rally of opposition politicians, farmers, other business owners at the London Palladium.

Farmers fear they will have to sell-up after the government decided to end inheritance tax exemptions for farming families.

We examine the knock-on effects of changes on the wider rural economy – and look at what might happen next.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and specialist arable reporter Louise Impey.

To contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email [email protected].

In the UK, you can also message us by texting the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

In this episode, could ban on autumn manure-spreading applications be the next body blow to hit Britain’s farmers?

Well, quite possibly, as industry representatives are summoned to meet Defra officials following two legal challenges over the issue.

We delve into the controversy over the decision by dairy processor Arla to use a new feed additive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cows.

With campaigners calling for a milk and dairy boycott – we ask whether their concerns are justified – or just a load of hot air? 

Fear and loathing in the countryside – we examine Defra’s abrupt halt to capital grants for agri-environment work.

We’ve the pick of the bunch of the latest combinable crop recommended list varieties – freshly unveiled for your drilling delight.

And farmers prepare to ramp up protests against the government's inheritance tax decision – by driving hundreds of tractors into central London.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and specialist arable farming journalist Louise Impey.

To contact us, email [email protected]. In the UK, you can also message us by texting the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

For the latest news, views and market prices for UK agriculture, visit fwi.co.uk.

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at Harper Adams University in Shropshire.

Recorded in front of a live studio audience, farmers, students and other guests quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues.

This episode focuses on the impact of the autumn 2024 Budget decision to impose 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth more than £1m.

Our panel is:

- Julia Buckley, Labour MP for Shrewsbury

- Jeremy Moody, secretary to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers

- Clive Bailye, farmer and founder of The Farming Forum

- Kelly Seaton, dairy farmer and AHDB knowledge exchange manager

- Professor Karl Behrendt, of the Global Institute for Agri-Tech Economics

Sponsored by Lantra, this Farmers Weekly Question Time event was recorded in front of a live studio audience on Thursday, 14 November, 2024.

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

Thousands of farmers gather in London to lobby MPs and protest against changes to inheritance tax rules.

From April 2026, agricultural assets worth more than £1m will be liable for 20% inheritance tax – leaving many farmers fearing for their livelihoods.

Some 15,000 farmers descended on Westminster to oppose the changes, worried that the autumn Budget decision will force them to leave the land.

Join us as we report live from the event - speaking to protest organisers, politicians and farmers on the streets around parliament.

Could a compromise be possible – allowing the government to achieve its goal while enabling farmers to continue farming?

Or are both sides digging in for the long haul?

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and specialist arable farming journalist Louise Impey.

To contact us, email [email protected]. In the UK, you can also message us by texting the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.