The Farmers Weekly Podcast

This week, food and environmental groups call for a ban on pre-harvest glyphosate use. We look at the alternatives – and whether this could be the thin end of the wedge.
We also hear why farm leaders are pushing back against proposals to extend environmental permitting to beef and dairy farms.
Plus, has the beef bubble burst? AHDB analyst Hannah Clarke explains why cattle prices have eased – and Hugh Broom looks at what could happen next.
And finally, we visit Whins Farm in Cumbria, where the Addington Fund is offering a rare starter farm tenancy for a new entrant.
In this episode:
0:00 Pre-harvest glyphosate: should it be banned?
11:02 Environmental permitting for beef and dairy
20:23 Farm update, silage and maize drilling
22:51 Women in Agriculture Awards
24:08 Beef prices: has the market turned?
34:10 Markets with Hugh Broom
36:05 Starter farm tenancy at Whins Farm, Cumbria
This week’s guests:
Martin Lines, Nature Friendly Farming Network
Paul Tompkins, NFU deputy president
Hannah Clarke, AHDB lead analyst
Simon Mountjoy, Addington Fund
Useful links:
Women in Agriculture Network
Addington Fund Whins Farm tenancy details
GSC Grays tenancy application details
Farmers Weekly markets data
This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Abi Kay and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker.
Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/
Contact or follow Abi: linkedin.com/in/abi-kay-38927130/
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 [email protected].
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.

This week’s episode is brought to you with Bayer Crop Science.
As fertiliser prices rise and new-season supplies tighten, we ask when farmers should buy — and whether a little-and-often approach is the best way to manage risk.
We also look at a new 25-year regenerative farm business tenancy from the Duchy of Cornwall, and ask whether longer agreements could give tenants the confidence to invest for the future.
Plus, TikTok cow-hugging, seeds that can “hear” rain, Welsh election pledges, this week’s markets — and how artificial intelligence is being used to count birds on farm.
In this episode:
0:00 Fertiliser prices and supply concerns
12:38 Bayer Crop Science: Vivalis fungicide
15:40 Duchy of Cornwall launches 25-year regenerative FBT
26:20 Cow-hugging, rare breeds and seeds hearing rain
32:25 Welsh election pledges, milk production and lab-grown meat
35:50 Markets with Hugh Broom
38:40 AI bird counting and biodiversity monitoring
This week’s guests:
Michael Pater, Origin Soil Nutrition
Rachel Banks, Bayer Crop Science
Matthew Morris, Duchy of Cornwall
George Caterer, Wilder Sensing
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, sponsor or advertise on 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. We'd love to hear from you.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrity farmer Jeremy Clarkson speaks out as soaring fuel and fertiliser costs force arable growers to rethink autumn cropping plans.
MPs urge Kier Starmer to help reduce red diesel prices as they tell the prime minister the Iran war makes food security paramount.
We preview this summer’s Cereals event – to be held on 10-11 June at Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds.
And how a royal estate is working to improve safety on its tenant farms.
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, sponsor or advertise on 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. We'd love to hear from you.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Travellers set up an unauthorised encampment in Hertfordshire and new planning rules face their biggest test yet.
The situation has big implications for growers and livestock producers – as Louise finds out when she spoke to one local farmer affected by the development.
How cereal farmers could secure a fairer share from the grain market and help mitigate the impact of rising input costs, and we’ve the latest market prices
And we meet the dairy farmer raising money for the Sepsis trust – in memory of his father.
Milk producer Ross Edwards, who is running the London marathon, has set up a Just Giving page so well-wishers can make a donation to the Sepsis Trust.
Advice for farmers about how to reduce the risk of sepsis – and where to seek help – is available on the Sepsis Trust website.
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, sponsor or advertise on 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. We'd love to hear from you.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, farm charities offer a listening ear as inheritance tax rules come into effect – leaving farming families facing a hefty bill following the death of a loved one.
We’ve the latest on help for those who might be affected by the changes, including farmers who haven't yet taken advice.
The Farming Community Network helpline is 03000 111 999 (7am to 11pm daily) or via email at [email protected].
Electricity standing charges go up this month – we examine what it means for your farm business with some suggestions for what you can do.
What’s hot and what’s not: we look at the latest arable farm management software, including the options and prices thanks to Mike Abram.
And we catch up with the National Sheep Association about a new law on livestock worrying – which could help to reduce dog attacks on sheep this Easter Bank Holiday.
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, sponsor or advertise on 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. We'd love to hear from you.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.