Best Johann Tasker Podcasts (2025)

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Should we be more upbeat about farming? New Landscape Recovery scheme, risk v reward – latest wheat varieties, rebel Labour MP suspended over IHT, and African swine fever hits Spanish pig exports 48:56

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4d ago48:56

48:56

In this episode, experts voice concern at a get-out clause in government plans for a £500m Landscape Recovery scheme for farmers. We look at the opportunities for growers and livestock producers from Defra's Environmental Improvement Plan – and ask: is it fatally flawed? How much risk should you accept when chasing high yields? We get to grips with…

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Police face questions over banned London tractor protest, inheritance tax & what Budget means for your farm business, and National Fruit Show celebration 48:19

13d ago48:19

48:19

In this episode, Metropolitan Police chiefs face questions after banning protesting farmers from bringing tractors to London. As the government makes a small concession on plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers, we examine what the Budget means for your farm business. Budget analysis by: Stuart Maggs, Howes Percival Sam Kirkham,. Albert Goodman…

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Update on Sustainable Farming Incentive, new campaign against inheritance tax, food inflation, CLA conference, and Tesco launches environmental baselining 46:56

20d ago46:56

46:56

In this episode, Defra secretary Emma Reynolds reveals the government's latest thinking on relaunching the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Ms Reynolds was speaking during a Q&A session at the Country Land and Business Association annual conference in London. Farmers return to Westminster to protest against inheritance tax. Can we really expect any c…

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Torturous wait for Defra's vision for farming, crowds flock to Agritechnica, herbicide ban threat, & hundreds pay tribute to David Richardson 45:10

27d ago45:10

45:10

Just why is it taking so long for the UK government to set out its vision for farming? As Defra secretary Emma Reynolds prepares to give her first major speech to farmers, vital reports and strategies remain unpublished. The government says some will be published before Christmas - others later. We ask incoming CLA president Gavin Lane what Emma Re…

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Farm Profitability Review - Minette Batters makes 57 recommendations, MPs call for farm productivity boost, & how growers are being rewarding for regenerative farming 51:42

1M ago51:42

51:42

In this episode, Defra is considering 57 recommendations after Minette Batters submits her long-awaited Farm Profitability Review. We take a look at some of main themes – including better collaboration between farmers and a closer relationship between industry and government. A cross-party group of MPs say urgent action is needed to improve agricul…

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Supermarkets refuse to engage with farm assurance review, gene-editing and classical swine fever, & why the world needs more red meat 47:29

1M ago47:29

47:29

In this week’s podcast, some of Britain’s biggest supermarkets are refusing to engage with a review of UK farm assurance schemes. A progress report on improving schemes like Red Tractor has struggled to gather input from Britain's big retail chains. Just three supermarkets have responded on an individual basis with the British Retail Consortium (BR…

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Six minutes of slaughter: The Kassel Mission 50:29

2M ago50:29

50:29

The Kassel mission of 27 September 1944 was one of the most devastating raids of the war – not because of the bombs dropped but because of the aircrew and planes lost. Some 35 B-24 Liberators from the 445th Bomb Group took from Tibenham airfield in Norfolk to bomb the Henschel tank works in the German city of Kassel. But only four of those planes r…

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Legal advice over backdated milk price cuts, Scottish farming future funding, & encouraging the next generation into agriculture 43:09

2M ago43:09

43:09

In this week’s podcast, dairy farmers could launch legal action over back-dated milk price cuts. Can a partnership approach between industry leaders and the Scottish government aims to deliver a better future for farming? And we discover that urban youngsters often know much more about farming than we think they do. This episode of the Farmers Week…

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Banned Red Tractor advert - what can we learn? Farm management company serves notice on 8,000ha, future for contract farming, & stewardship extension 53:48

2M ago53:48

53:48

In this episode, we examine the lessons to be learned after the UK advertising watchdog bans a TV ad for Red Tractor farm assurance. We look at the future for arable farming following Velcourt's decision to serve notice on 8,000ha of contract farming agreements. Are family farms better placed to ride out tough times? And is a last-minute extension …

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Government could ease inheritance tax pain, British Food Fortnight - should Defra do more?, fertiliser market, & bursary pays farm student fees 40:08

2M ago40:08

40:08

Government ministers are said to be looking at easing plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers. Civil servants are reportedly looking again at increasing the proposed threshold which would exempt more farming families from the tax. Could the government be working harder to put more British food on British plates? Yes, says Alexia Robinson, the fo…

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Big delay to flagship green scheme, milk market tumble, bluetongue latest, farm protest at Labour conference, & Farmers Weekly Awards 43:09

2M ago43:09

43:09

Farmers in England face significant cashflow shortfalls following further delays to the government's Sustainable Farming Incentive. The flagship scheme is not expected to reopen for applications until April 2026 at the earliest due to budget constraints and IT issues. Protesting farmers vent their frustration at the government's farming policies at…

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Special czar to oversee tenant farming, AI(Live): how artificial intelligence is boosting livestock productivity, & Future of Food exhibition at the Science Museum 42:47

3M ago42:47

42:47

In this week’s podcast, we have a special interview with tenant farming commissioner Alan Laidlaw following his appointment. What does his new role mean for landlords and tenants? And how does he see a code of practice for the tenanted sector working in England? How artificial intelligence is helping livestock farmers increase productivity in a way…

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Growers rip up autumn cropping plans, rebel MPs battle inheritance tax, farmers told to repay environmental funding, & AgriFuture Forum welcomes new entrants 47:02

3M ago47:02

47:02

As growers rip up autumn cropping plans following another challenging season, we look at ways to get the best for your farm business. A new group of rural Labour MPs says it is backing British food producers – and launches its own action plan for the countryside. Will it make a difference? We look at the fallout after the Rural Payments Agency trie…

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Stewardship cliff-edge, Back British Farming Day, Agroforestry Show & beef-calf strategy at Dairy Day 46:39

3M ago46:39

46:39

In this episode, thousands of farmers face a cliff-edge when their countryside stewardship agreements expire – with nothing to replace them. Those with mid-tier schemes running out at the end of this year – just three months away – are left facing a stark choice: maintain beneficial environmental features at their own expense, or destroy them up an…

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Silver Wings: 80th anniversary of the end of WWII 41:06

3M ago41:06

41:06

A special episode previewing Silver Wings – a new project honouring the influence of the United States Eighth Army Air Force during World War Two – and its impact on communities in the East of England. Presented by The Forum in partnership with the American Memorial Library in Norwich (UK), Silver Wings shines a spotlight on the stories of American…

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New Defra secretary Emma Reynolds – what can we expect? Confusion over funding for Young Farmers, bovine TB, and school launches BTEC in agriculture 40:41

3M ago40:41

40:41

In this episode, we look at what farmers can expect from new Defra secretary Emma Reynolds - her policies and personality. To discuss that and more, we’re joined by Jonathan Reynolds, director of external affairs at the Country Land and Business Association. The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs says it has been told it will no longer rec…

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Farmers help firefighters battle huge moorland blaze, hay and straw shortage, pig and poultry pollution, & warning over safe tractor driving 40:15

3M ago40:15

40:15

In this episode, farmers are helping firefighters battle a huge moorland blaze in Yorkshire. Farmers are using slurry tankers to deliver water to fire crews fighting flames which have engulfed thousands of acres of the Yorkshire Moors. Hot weather and lack of rain has seen hay and straw is imported into the UK from France to help drought-hit livest…

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Oilseed rape - surprise crop of the year? Sugar beet price, food price inflation, more on electronic tagging, and tributes to David Richardson 42:16

4M ago42:16

42:16

Harvest has been hugely variable this summer – with many growers in prime arable areas reporting terrible cereal yields. But has one crop bucked the trend? After years of decline and disappointment, oilseed rape is having a bit of a moment. Could it, perhaps, be crop of the year? Is £30/t an acceptable price for sugar beet? We find out. We’ve more …

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AHDB harvest error, alternative inheritance tax plan, Vivergo bioethanol plant, drought, & electronic ID for cattle 44:08

4M ago44:08

44:08

A data error means the latest harvest progress report over-estimates yields – and triggers an investigation by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Why wasn't the report right in the first place? Industry leaders give a mixed reaction to the latest inheritance tax proposals. And one of Britain's biggest livestock auctioneers voices c…

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Kemi Badenoch hits out on inheritance tax, dairy farmer crowdfunds renewable energy project, harvest update & deep dive into autumn weed control 43:42

4M ago43:42

43:42

In this episode, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch visits an Essex farm – meeting farmers to talk about inheritance tax. We’ve an exclusive interview. We meet the Yorkshire dairy farmer who is starting a renewable energy company – and powering up the local community. And we take an in-depth look at autumn weed control. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Po…

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Donald Trump on farm inheritance tax, 4WD electric pickup 'gamechanger', Clarkson's Farm goes down with bovine TB, & farmer leaves £500k to charity 44:42

4M ago44:42

44:42

In this episode, Donald Trump leaves UK prime minister Keir Starmer in stony silence as he explains why American farmers don’t pay inheritance tax. But would British farmers really be better off if President Trump was in charge of UK agriculture? Is it time to get an electric farm pickup – we look at the latest fully electric truck as it goes on sa…

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'Godfather' of regenerative agriculture Gabe Brown on future of farming, support for nature-friendly food production, & plan to monetise farm data 46:08

5M ago46:08

46:08

In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the future of regenerative agriculture and examine whether it is right for your farm. We have a special interview with American farmer Gabe Brown, described as the 'god father' of regenerative agriculture, as he visits the UK. We discuss the role of government support when it comes to agro-ecology and na…

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Former British Lion Tom Youngs talks rugby and farming, progress on national food strategy, Sustainable Farming Scheme for Wales, & variable catchy harvest 50:48

5M ago50:48

50:48

In this episode, former British Lion Tom Youngs shares his thoughts on farming and rugby. We run the rule on the government’s latest iteration of a national food strategy - and discuss the implications for farmers. NFU Cymru president Aled Jones voices concern about the newly announced Sustainable Farming Scheme for Wales. And we look at the ups an…

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Eagle Squadrons: American Pilots in Britain’s War 55:44

5M ago55:44

55:44

Meet the American pilots who defied their country's neutrality to fly for the RAF in WW2. In this Wings of Defiance episode, we tell the story of the Eagle Squadrons – American volunteer pilots who joined the Royal Air Force before the USA joined the war. We explain how pilots were recruited and how what they did was technically illegal because the…

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Drought and wildfire warning, new Tesco boss backs farmers, parts suppliers frustration, growing olives in Lincolnshire 48:30

5M ago48:30

48:30

In this episode, as drought is declared in Yorkshire, we look at the impact of the dry weather across the country. Scotland faces a wildfire warning – following a 30,000 acre blaze which saw farmers and game-keepers come together to fight the flames. Tesco's new chief executive Ashwin Prasad gets out on farm – just a week into the job – saying he w…

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Groundswell 2025: £150m in capital grants for farmers, former Defra adviser on farming future, how to unlock nature markets, big business invests in farming, AHDB chief exec plans for farm levies 47:11

5M ago47:11

47:11

In this episode, a former Defra adviser says the government must win back farmers' trust if it is serious about successful agriculture. The government unveils £150m in capital grants for farmers – we look at what the money is likely to fund and how it will work. We find out about new funding opportunities for farmers – thanks to private investment …

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Early start for harvest 2025, moisture meters, why it's gone quiet on inheritance tax, Fram Farmers trials day, & CowPie Country Show 49:29

6M ago49:29

49:29

In this episode, we preview the early start to harvest 2025 as the first combines roll into barley crops. One year after the Labour came to power, we ask why farm leaders have gone so quiet on government plans to impose inheritance on farmers. We visit a Fram Farmers trials day in Suffolk – and Hugh goes to his local Cowpie Country Fair. This episo…

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Red Tractor must avoid 'fudged' reform, bluetongue restriction havoc in Wales, Scottish beef at the Royal Highland Show, Farming Rules for Water, and more on skylarks at Cereals 40:14

6M ago40:14

40:14

In this episode, a former NFU combinable crops chairman sats the pace of change at Red Tractor is too slow to win back farmers' confidence. Cross-border bluetongue restrictions on livestock brought from England into Wales threaten to cause havoc, say farm leaders. We've the latest on muck spreading and Defra's Farming Rules For Water. And we visit …

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Verdict on government spending review, outrage at imported supermarket beef, bumper Cereals event, & top accolade for 21-year-old oat variety 40:36

6M ago40:36

40:36

In this episode, UK farm leaders voice dismay after three major British supermarkets start selling beef from Australia, Uruguay and New Zealand. Is the government's spending review really better than expected when it comes to farming and the environment? We discuss the implications of departmental cuts at Defra – and the impact for growers and live…

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Spending review - likely impact on farming, Cereals event preview, and getting the message across on Open Farm Sunday 41:21

6M ago41:21

41:21

In this episode, we look at the likely impact of the government's spending review on UK farming and the environment. We have a sneak preview of this month’s Cereals event – and why reducing carbon emissions isn't as easy as people might think. And why it is so important to get the farming message across on Open Farm Sunday. This episode of the Farm…

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Farmers quit UK to farm in France, nature-friendly farm support concerns, North Sheep, Red Tractor latest, yellow rust gene failure confirmed, & Madam Tussauds celebrates national sausage roll day 40:40

7M ago40:40

40:40

In this episode, a UK farming couple quit the UK to go farming in France, saying they feel more valued by the French government. Defra declines to comment on reports that the government's Spending Review will slash the budget for nature friendly farming. We've the latest on high-profile movers and shakers in the farming sector, as Assured Food Stan…

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Janet Hughes 'hard act to follow at Defra', new AHDB chair, Green Farm Collective, regenerative wheat & wool, UK-EU veterinary deal, & beef under the climate cosh 48:23

7M ago48:23

48:23

In this episode, as senior civil servant Janet Hughes decides to leave Defra, we look at what it means for the Sustainable Farming Incentive. It's a revolving door at the AHDB, with the appointment of a new chair – and the announcement that chief executive Graham Wilkinson is moving on. Scottish livestock leaders say a climate committee report call…

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US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins talks trade deals in London; delay inheritance tax plan, MPs tell government; SFI reopens for 3000 farmers; & Defra's food strategy 48:21

7M ago48:21

48:21

In this episode, MPs say the government should delay plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers – and revise its controversial policy. Defra announces a partial reopening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive for growers and livestock producers in England. US agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins tells Farmers Weekly that poultry and pork are "on the…

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What next for the Sustainable Farming Incentive? Impact of US-UK trade deal on farming, small abattoirs, & silage trailer safety 44:00

7M ago44:00

44:00

In this episode we look at the future of the Sustainable Farming Incentive agri-environment scheme. Natural England head of agriculture Peter Craven tells us the scheme will return – and be better for farming and the environment, albeit with a likely smaller budget. We assess the impact of the UK-US trade deal on the beef and arable sectors – and a…

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Hottest May Day – crops swelter as temperatures soar, ground-breaking farm tenancies, Rothamsted redundancies, & food security – could rationing return? 45:56

7M ago45:56

45:56

Record-breaking temperatures see crops sweltering in the spring sunshine. A worry or just another challenge for arable growers? UK former home secretary James Cleverly and Save British Farming campaigners say the government must take food security more seriously. As the UK commemorates the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and the end of World …

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Farmers Weekly Question Time: Tenant Farmers Conference 2025 - Farmers Weekly Question Time 59:40

7M ago59:40

59:40

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Question Time Podcast examines a ground-breaking new farm tenancy agreement. Developed by the Crown Estate and the Tenant Farmers Association, the agreements are called Environmental Farm Business Tenancies (eFBTs). EFBTs are 15-year-long tenancy agreements which encourage tenant farmers to diversify in a way whic…

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Will your children sink the family farm? Inheritance tax and succession planning, dairy farms dump milk after processing breakdown, & why climate-friendly farmers are turned off by Net Zero 46:06

8M ago46:06

46:06

In this episode, one in three farmers fear their children will sink the farm business when it's handed on to the next generation. Why farming families are walking a tightrope between succession and inheritance tax. Dairy producers are forced to dump thousands of litres of milk after a breakdown at a key processing plant in Lancashire. We've all the…

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Endangered hedges, bonanza beef vision, grant fund to ADOPT innovation, foot-and-mouth meat and dairy import ban, & sweary singing farmers 47:46

8M ago47:46

47:46

In this episode, we get to grips government grants to fund on-farm innovation and technology to improve productivity. With British Beef Week around the corner (23-30 April), we run the rule over the NFU's 10-year vision for the UK's beef industry. We look at why farm hedges could be the latest victim of the government's decision to close the Sustai…

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Minette's farm profitability review, should farmers really diversify? Resistant wheat shows signs of yellow rust, local food plan report, & auctioneer's giant red fibre glass cow goes missing 53:01

8M ago53:01

53:01

In this episode, the government appoints former NFU president Minette Batters to lead a Defra review to solve farming's 'profitability problem'. Her appointment – by Defra secretary Steve Reed – aims to help growers and livestock producers increase their profit and financial resilience. We ask three experts what Baroness Batters should really be lo…

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Bread strike & hot cross buns, Trump & tariffs, animal disease & border controls, AHDB levy board future, & Sustainable Farming Incentive latest 50:23

8M ago50:23

50:23

In this episode, livestock industry leaders warn of a devastating animal disease outbreak unless the government tightens border controls. MPs quiz. Defra minister Daniel Zeichner as cereal growers 'go on strike' in protest at government policies affecting UK farming. Will there really be no hot cross buns at Easter? We've the latest on the Sustaina…

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Red Tractor pledges smarter farm audits, action plan to reduce pesticide usage, & vigilance needed after bird flu confirmed in sheep 50:46

9M ago50:46

50:46

In this episode, the Red Tractor assurance scheme responds to criticism by pledging to make farm audits easier for farmers. We speak to the Red Tractor interim chairman Alistair Mackintosh and operations director Philippa Wiltshire. Also in this episode – the government unveils long awaited plans to reduce pesticide usage by 10% within five years. …

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How to rescue the Sustainable Farming Incentive, farmers ramp up food production, pressure on spring seed and fertiliser, red diesel rumours, & why big business wants to invest in your farm 50:19

9M ago50:19

50:19

In this episode, farmers ramp up food production following the closure of the government's flagship environmental scheme. Arable growers who were preparing Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) applications are now drilling spring crops instead – with strong demand for spring seed and fertiliser. Natural England former head of agriculture Geoff Sanso…

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Options for farmers locked out of Sustainable Farming Incentive, food security report, & is there a future for lab-grown meat? 48:10

9M ago48:10

48:10

Just why did the government close its flagship agri-environment scheme without warning? We examine the options for farmers unable to join Defra's Sustainable Farming Incentive. A new study says the government must take food security and sustainable farming much more seriously. Published by the Food, Farming & Countryside Commission, the report is c…

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Emergency Podcast: Defra pulls plug on Sustainable Farming Incentive 26:32

9M ago26:32

26:32

In this emergency episode, we examine the implications of Defra's decision to stop accepting applications for its flagship agri-environment scheme. The shock announcement to draw a line under the Sustainable Farming Incentive was announced at 6pm Tuesday, 11 March. Defra gave farmers no notice of the decision, which came into effect with immediate …

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Rebel Labour MPs back farmers on inheritance tax, Pancake Day Rally, livestock mart hits out at 'keyboard warriors', climate change adaptation, & 'green' farmland market 44:48

9M ago44:48

44:48

In this episode, a growing number of 'rebel' Labour MPs are supporting farmers against the government on inheritance tax. We have an exclusive interview with Henry Tufnell, Labour MP for Mid- and South Pembrokeshire, who is calling for a government amnesty on the issue. A warm start to spring sees UK temperatures warmer than Madrid and Barcelona – …

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Defra's not-so-new farm policies, Pancake Day Rally against inheritance tax, NFU conference 2025 special, & how to succeed at succession planning 51:19

10M ago51:19

51:19

In this episode, we examine Defra's latest raft of new policies to boost farm profitability. Just exactly how new are they? We scrutinise the keynote speech delivered by Defra secretary Steve Reed at the NFU's annual conference in London. We preview the Pancake Day Rally against government plans to impose 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth mo…

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Farmers Weekly Question Time: Plumpton College - Farmers Weekly Question Time 1:17:36

10M ago1:17:36

1:17:36

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time Event at Plumpton College in East Sussex Recorded in front of a live audience on Thursday, 20 February 2025, farmers and other conference delegates quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: - James MacCleary, Liberal Democrat M…

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Operation Tidal Wave: Bombing Hitler's oil supply 47:54

10M ago47:54

47:54

It was one of the most audacious air attacks of World War II – a low-level raid designed to cut off Hitler's fuel supply by bombing the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania. Taking place on Sunday, August 1, 1943, Operation Tidal Wave saw five B-24 Liberator bomb groups take off from Libya and fly in complete radio silence across the Mediterranean tow…

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Chink of light on inheritance tax, farming's 'pecking order', Scotland's new farm leader, oilseed rape challenges, & why farming is harder than rocket science 45:08

10M ago45:08

45:08

In this episode, we discuss the possible outcomes after government finally agrees to talks with farm leaders on inheritance tax. Have things gone too far? Were farming protestors right to force Keir Starmer to cut short a prime ministerial visit to Milton Keynes? And should farming be higher or lower on the government's pecking order? We speak to A…

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How to improve farm assurance, LEAF conference, colder weather on the way, upbeat DairyTech event, & Big Farmland Bird Count 44:32

10M ago44:32

44:32

In this episode, we look at the LEAF Marque - the farm assurance scheme that delivers benefits for consumers and the environment – as well as for farmers. We find out what makes it work, why it is becoming so popular – and why supermarkets are so keen to work alongside LEAF food producers. We speak to Oxbury Bank – the latest lender offering a spec…