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.

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.

In this episode, Jeremy Clarkson is set to join thousands of farmers protesting against the government’s decision to impose inheritance tax on farmland.

The TV celebrity and star of Clarkson's Farm is expected to address farmers as they gather in London on Tuesday 19 November.

Farm business consultants are continuing to wade through the government’s budget documents - looking at ways to mitigate their worst effects.

We've a special interview with Richard Means, managing partner of Ceres Rural.

And NFU president Tom Bradshaw says he understands farmers' anger at the Treasury for ignoring the "human cost" of the Budget.

In this episode, industry leaders urge farmers not to take direct action following the government’s decision to impose inheritance tax on farmland.

Thousands of farmers are expected to descend on London after the Budget announcement sent shockwaves through the industry.

The protest will coincide with what the NFU is describing as a ‘mass lobbying’ of MPs to get the government decision reversed.

The inheritance tax facing farmers following the Budget has understandably grabbed all the headlines.

But the Chancellor also unveiled many more measures affecting agriculture.

They included company car tax on farm pick-ups, an increase in employers national insurance – and the faster phase out of direct payments.

Life insurance could be one way of mitigating the impact of inheritance tax on farmland.

But farmers are urged to take advice rather than making rash decisions.

A special episode after an autumn Budget which promises huge changes to farm businesses – and indeed for farming families.

The Budget saw Chancellor Rachel Reeves announce major changes to agricultural property relief and inheritance tax rules relating to farming.

From April 2026, farmers will be subject to 20% inheritance tax on agricultural and business assets worth more than £1 million pounds.

In this episode, four experts discuss ways farmers can reduce their liability.

Our experts are:

• Amy Cowdell, from solicitors Shakespeare Martineau
• Robert Sullivan, from chartered surveyors GSC Grays
• Jason Beedell, from farm business consultants Strutt & Parker
• Sam Kirkham, from accountants Albert Goodman

Topics discussed include gifting land and assets to family members; business structures, including limited companies; moving assets into a trust; succession planning; and life insurance.

Thank you for listening to the Farmers Weekly Podcast. This episode was conceived, written, edited and produced by Johann Tasker.

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.

In this episode, as the government's Budget looms we ask three experts what farmers should expect in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.

We find out why the Sustainable Farming Incentive is fuelling interest in hedgerow management in England – and how farmers can obtain payments.

We visit the Lake District, where upland farmers fear they are being left behind by the government's flagship environmental schemes.

And we go under the North Sea where a carbon-friendly fertiliser is being mined to replenish sulphur levels on UK farms.

Thank you for listening to the Farmers Weekly Podcast. This episode is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and 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.

UK agriculture faces a huge skills gap – with lots of opportunities for people wanting to work in the sector or start their own agri-business.

In this episode, we find out how UK farming is encouraging new entrants into the industry – and how to carve a career in agriculture.

We visit the New Scientist Live festival of ideas at London's ExCel centre, where food and farming innovation is centre stage in front of 25,000 visitors.

Agriculture is very much a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) sector keen to attract more urban youngsters.

We look at opportunities around industry apprenticeships in agricultural engineering, plant science and livestock technology.

For more information about the career opportunities mentioned in this episode, please explore the links below:

• The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture
• Lantra 
• John Deere Apprentice Programme
• KWS careers
• Rothamsted Research
• LEAF (Linking Environment & Farming)
• We Are Land Based Engineering
• London City Farms & Community Gardens Association

To make a donation to Vauxhall City Farm 50th anniversary appeal, please visit https://vauxhallcityfarm.org/50th-anniversary-appeal/

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast was conceived, written, produced and hosted by Johann Tasker.

Additional reporting by Philip Case, Charlie Reeve and 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, as the wet autumn continues, we look at flood management – and payments for farmers to protect communities by storing flood water.

We have the latest on the NFU's campaign for a fair Autumn Budget for farming – and what is needed to deliver UK food security.

We've an update on the phase-out of the Basic Payment Scheme in England – and take a look at Scotland's fledgling farm support system.

And we talk to the two farming friends behind the Rural Communities Mental Health Foundation – promoting better wellbing in agriculture.

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.