Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at Newcastle University.

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

Our panel is:

Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board chairman Nicholas Saphir

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Julia Aglionby

Northumberland & LEAF demonstration farmer John Renner

Newcastle University Farms director James Standen

Food Newcastle partnership coordinator Ellen Holmes

Sponsored by The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture and Lightsource BP, this Question Time event was recorded on Thursday, 19 October 2023.

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

This week, the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme is embroiled in controversy after asking farmers to measure their carbon footprint.

Farmers say the scheme's plan for a 'greener farm commitment' means more expense and red tape – and the only real winners will be supermarkets.

Red Tractor bosses say the alternative is even greater costs as supply chains are told to demonstrate their environmental credentials.

But the National Farmers Union says farmers should have been properly consulted on the proposal, which will mean higher costs.

Who is right?

As a devastating bluetongue outbreak engulfs almost 2000 sheep farms in the Netherlands, we ask: how long before it reaches the UK?

What would a Labour government mean for British farmers? We find out by visiting the party's  annual conference in Liverpool.

On the markets, we've all the latest commodity prices.

And we find out how youngsters from London are leaving the big smoke to study agriculture – thanks to a city farms charity.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer , with additional reporting by Abi Kay.

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

This week, former government minister Jacob Rees-Mogg outrages British farmers by saying he would allow hormone-treated Australian beef into the UK.

We visit the Conservative Party conference in Manchester and scrutinise the government's policies for agriculture and UK farming.

As farmers face a huge huge in levy rates paid to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, we ask: can any increase really be justified?

On the markets, we've all the latest commodity prices.

How much land do we need for farming? Is it really possible to look after nature and produce enough food.

And we get in the boat with two farmers preparing to row across the Atlantic this winter for charity – see thebrightsidesrow.com.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with additional reporting by Philip Clarke.

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

This week, the Liberal Democrats are making some bold pledges – including an extra £1bn for farmers – if they form the next UK government.

We find out what it could mean for your farm business – and find out whether the Lib Dems stand a chance of winning the next general election.

With livestock farmers battling to keep a lid on costs, we meet the north-east beef producer who has cut inputs by 40%.

As Russia's illegal war continues, a Scottish charity founded by farmers delivers its 200th pickup truck full of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

To contact Pickups4Peace, visit www.facebook.com/pickupsforpeace or email [email protected].

On the markets, we've all the of this week's commodity prices. And what the latest sugar beet price means for growers.

And we meet the UK's first carbon farmer of the year,

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, with additional reporting by Phil Case, Michael Priestley and Louise Impey.

To contact Johann and Hugh, please email [email protected]. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

Maize seed success! Fears for next year's UK maize crop disaster averted as the government agrees to new seed dressing licenses.

Are your cows ready to go digital? Are you ready to take up your passports? Defra launches the Digital Cattle Movement System consultation.

Just how do one bank’s farming customers feel at the moment with sky-high inputs and farm policy confusion?

Top US cattleman tells us why US beef numbers are still going down.

We meet Britain’s Fittest Farmers fighting it out at the final to take the UK title.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Abi Kay and Hugh Broom.
 
 You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing [email protected]. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

 In this episode, we examine the benefits of Back British Farming Day – and ask what impact does it really have on politicians ?
 
 We meet the new shadow Defra secretary. How would he make farmers lives better if Labour won the next election?
 
We investigate the impact of the cost of living crisis on retail milk sales.
 
As a topsy turvy season continues for grassland farmers, we look at the prospects for winter forage supplies.
 
 And we meet the Essex couple growing Frankenstein-shaped pumpkins for Halloween. 

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Abi Kay and Hugh Broom, with additional reporting by Johann Tasker.
 
 You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing [email protected]. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

This week, Rishi Sunak made a  host of promises to farm leaders at a Downing Street summit held in back in May.

But industry representatives have voiced frustration at what they say is a lack of progress when it comes to delivering the Prime Minister's pledges.

We ask: what is going on?
 
It's deadlock when it comes to sugar beet price talks between the NFU and processing giant British Sugar. Can a price deal be struck?
 
We preview this year's Great British Calf Week.
 
And will you still be ploughing in your 90s? We speak to the man still trying to impress the judges at 94.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Hugh Broom and Farmers Weekly deputy editor Abi Kay, with additional reporting by Johann Tasker.
 
 You can contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast by emailing [email protected]. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.

This week, farmers are set to lose access to a market worth millions after the government scrapped water pollution rules for housing developers.

What are the implications for growers and livestock producers? And how will they make up the unexpected shortfall?

Farmers in Cornwall start to sell up and quit the industry after more than 3,000ha of Lands End is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

An American commentator voices concern that Europe's push towards organic farming could threaten food security.

On the markets, beef values are on the rise – and we've all the latest commodity  prices, from arable to livestock.

And we go silaging with the farmers who are using a fleet of classic farm machinery to run a successful contracting business.

A video of the American motorist driving along with a huge African bull riding shotgun in the car can be viewed here.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Farmers Weekly deputy editor Abi Kay, with additional reporting by Phi Case.

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

In this episode, the Environment Agency is under fire after accusing farmers of breaching rules to protect water quality.

Defra blames technical issues as it delays the opening of its flagship Sustainable Farming Incentive to applications.

On the markets, we've all the regular commodity prices.

We talk to the MP who says it should be easier for online shoppers to buy British food and drink, which he argues should be more clearly labelled.

And we go for a ride with the eight-year-old farmers' son who spent his summer holiday riding his bike 100 miles to raise money for charity.

Listeners can donate to young farmer William Pearson's Peddling for Pounds charity bike ride, by visiting JustGiving.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and Farmers Weekly deputy editor Abi Kay, with additional reporting by Phi Case.

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

In this episode, we take a special look at farming in Canada – visiting family farms in the western prairie province of Alberta.

We look at the vast scale of prairie agriculture, meeting producers, processors and politicians with farming interests.

We discover how Canadian farmers are adding value to commodities like malting barley and discuss the future for Alberta beef production.

We meet the fire-fighting farmer who has been flying helicopters over Alberta  in the battle to stop wildfires from destroying  homes and businesses.

And we visit the agricultural college that has its own microbrewery – brewing beer for students as well as local bars.

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker and special guest Canadian agricultural journalist Owen Roberts.

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

Recorded on location in Alberta, Canada, with thanks to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, and the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists.