AHDB Food & Farming

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521

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Our Food & Farming podcast is for levy payers and those in the food supply chain – bringing together key players in the agriculture industry to talk about the things which really matter. You’ll hear from farmers, special guests and AHDB specialists sharing their experiences and opinions. Join our conversations about technical information, data, market intelligence, exports and updates on our multimillion consumer marketing campaigns and of course, the latest news on farming issues that impact your business. The AHDB Food & Farming podcast – worth a listen.

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60 recent

September 2, 202639 min

Love Lamb Week: Bake Off star Mike Wilkins on farming, TV and British lamb

Autumn's arrived, and to mark Love Lamb Week we're catching up with a familiar face from The Great British Bake Off who's flying the flag for British lamb. Mike Wilkins is a sheep farmer with first-hand experience of what TV can do for farming's image. He explains why shows like Bake Off can help tell farming's story to a much wider audience, and why he's backing the long-running Make It Lamb campaign. He also lets us in on a behind-the-scenes Bake Off secret, revealing who he couldn't resist sharing details of his TV appearances with while filming. And let's just say, it wasn't limited to the immediate family. SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND) Make it Lamb | AHDB Search Resources Only - Food A Fact Of Life Let's Eat Balanced | AHDB GET IN TOUCH Charlotte, Hannah, Phil and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at agshow@ahdb.org.uk . Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can: Easily update your preferences and contact information Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more Receive important updates such as disease alerts

August 26, 202641 min

'A hot coal burning inside my hip' - arthritis and farming

Angela's 43 and farms beef, dairy and arable crops, but years of physical graft are already taking their toll. Living with arthritis, she says she's feeling "pretty worn and torn" and worries about what the future might hold. The AG Show catches up with her to hear how she manages the day-to-day realities of farming with the condition. It comes as researchers at the University of Worcester look into the impact arthritis is having across the farming industry. Their study hopes to build a clearer picture of the challenges farmers face and identify practical ways to help, from lifestyle and diet changes to simple adaptations on farm. Also on this week's show, we bring you the latest on bluetongue, the Sustainable Farming Incentive and a newly launched BYDV tool designed to help growers manage risk. And away from the day job, find out which member of the team has taken a plunge into open water swimming, and who's set themselves the challenge of eating their way around Britain's bakeries. SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND) Arthritis + Farmers Bluetongue virus latest news | AHDB Heatwaves, drought and dairy resilience: How farmers are coping in 2026 Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26): scheme information - GOV.UK SFI cost benefit tool | AHDB Tools BYDV tool GET IN TOUCH Charlotte, Hannah, Phil and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at agshow@ahdb.org.uk . Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can: Easily update your preferences and contact information Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more Receive important updates such as disease alerts

August 19, 202641 min

Heatwaves, drought and dairy resilience: How farmers are coping in 2026

This summer’s definitely been one to remember, with heatwaves rolling through and barely a drop of rain in sight for some. On this week’s AG Show, we catch up with Norfolk pig farmer Rob McGregor to hear how he’s been keeping his animals cool and reducing heat stress during some seriously hot conditions. We also hear from a dairy, beef and arable farmer who believes drought-resistant crops and smarter water management will be key if farms are going to cope with more summers like this in the future. And we check back in with our friends at Drumgoon Dairy in the US to find out how farmers reacted to their five non-negotiables for building a resilient dairy business during a recent UK roadshow. SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND) Avoiding heat stress in pigs | AHDB North Farm Livestock Hot weather and heat extremes | AHDB Dry weather and drought | AHDB US dairy farmers bring practical resilience roadshow to Britain | AHDB GET IN TOUCH Charlotte, Hannah, Phil and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at agshow@ahdb.org.uk . Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can: Easily update your preferences and contact information Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more Receive important updates such as disease alerts

August 12, 202639 min

Bluetongue vaccine update and heatwave impact on UK dairy farms

With bluetongue cases continuing to rise this season, The AG Show team's focus is on South West England, one of the hardest-hit parts of the country, to find out what it's really like on the ground. We catch up with a Cornish beef, sheep and arable farmer whose livestock have been affected, and hear from a Devon-based vet about just how busy things have been, plus the latest on vaccination efforts. The message is clear: don't wait until bluetongue is on your doorstep before taking action. Support and advice are available through the AHDB Bluetongue Virus Hotline on 024 7771 0386 . Plus, we look at how this summer's heatwaves have added to the challenges facing UK dairy farmers and what it could mean for the months ahead. SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND) Bluetongue virus latest news | AHDB Bluetongue virus update - 5 August 2026 | AHDB Webinar How have the recent heatwaves impacted GB milk production? | AHDB Hot weather and heat extremes | AHDB Dry weather and drought | AHDB Support for farmers | AHDB GET IN TOUCH Charlotte, Hannah, Phil and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at agshow@ahdb.org.uk . Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can: Easily update your preferences and contact information Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more Receive important updates such as disease alerts

August 5, 202642 min

From first-generation dairy farmer to Dorset tenant, plus BYDV and bluetongue

This week on The AG Show, we're catching up with a first-generation dairy farmer to hear how a programme built to support ambitious entrepreneurs helped them secure a farm tenancy in Dorset and take the next step in their farming journey. We'll also get the inside track on a brand-new tool set to help cereal growers tackle Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, plus the latest on the bluetongue situation (which is a good opportunity to plug AHDB's bluetongue virus hotline: 024 7771 0386). And that's not all. We catch up with AHDB's new Beef and Lamb Director, Prys Morgan, and round things off by digging into the world of lamb grading and why it matters. SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND) Dairy Entrepreneurs | RABDF Training Programme Cereal growers asked to help develop a new BYDV management tool | AHDB Bluetongue Virus Hub - Ruminant Health & Welfare Support for farmers | AHDB Prys Morgan appointed as new Beef & Lamb Sector Director | AHDB Understanding lambs and carcases | AHDB GET IN TOUCH Charlotte, Hannah, Phil and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at agshow@ahdb.org.uk . Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can: Easily update your preferences and contact information Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more Receive important updates such as disease alerts

July 30, 202641 min

Farm24 special: 24 hours in farming and the real stories behind British agriculture

The AG Show is going all-in on #Farm24 - the 24-hour online celebration of British farming. We’ve even shifted our release date so we can be part of the action! In this episode, we catch up with organisers Farmers Guardian, campaign ambassador Rebecca Wilson and sponsor RABI FarmersAid to find out what’s planned, why it matters and how you can get involved. Plus, the hotly contested debate over what to call AG Show listeners shows no sign of ending any time soon... SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND) Farmers Guardian | Farming News | Farm24 | 24 Hours In Farming Wilson and Ashley - YouTube RABI - the Farmers Charity EU restrictions on Brazilian beef exports: what could it mean for the UK market? | AHDB GET IN TOUCH Charlotte, Hannah, Phil and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at agshow@ahdb.org.uk . Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can: Easily update your preferences and contact information Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more Receive important updates such as disease alerts

July 22, 202643 min

'I landed on the floor minus my left arm' - Farm Safety Week

This week on The AG Show, farmer Jim Chapman joins the team to share his powerful story of losing an arm in a PTO shaft accident, and how that life-changing moment continues to shape his day-to-day life. With agriculture still one of the UK's most dangerous industries, we're proudly backing Farm Safety Week and helping shine a light on the risks farmers face every day. We'll also be hearing from a former farmer turned firefighter about the real fire risks that come with the recent spell of hot, dry weather, and what farmers can do to stay safe during harvest and beyond. Plus, we take a look at Open Your Gate, a joint campaign from AHDB and LEAF that's encouraging farmers to welcome more young people onto farms, with an ambitious goal of delivering one million on-farm experiences by 2031. It's a packed episode full of honest conversations, practical advice and plenty of reasons to get involved. SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND) The Impact – safety in numbers - YellowWellies.org Support for farmers | AHDB Dry weather and drought – fire prevention | AHDB How have the recent heatwaves impacted GB milk production? | AHDB RABDF launches dairy entrepreneurs club | AHDB AHDB and LEAF launch drive to inspire the next generation through on-farm experiences | AHDB Home Page | LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) GET IN TOUCH Charlotte, Hannah, Phil and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at agshow@ahdb.org.uk . Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can: Easily update your preferences and contact information Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more Receive important updates such as disease alerts

July 15, 202644 min

GB Calf Week, bovine TB and the farmer who ran the length of the UK

It's a packed episode of The AG Show this week. We're giving a shout-out to GB Calf Week, the industry-wide campaign shining a spotlight on the latest thinking and fresh ideas in youngstock care. We'll also be tackling one of farming's biggest talking points right now - bovine TB. It's back in the spotlight following the latest series of Clarkson's Farm, so we'll dig into what's being said and what it means for the industry. Elsewhere, we explore why sustainability sits at the heart of the newly launched Beef and Lamb Environmental Roadmap and hear why rehydrating grain before it leaves the farm might not be the best move. And finally, we catch up with young farmer Will Sercombe, fresh from the incredible challenge of running the length of the UK in less than three weeks. Plenty to get stuck into, so what are you waiting for? Go and press play.... SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND) GB Calf Week | AHDB The Beef and Lamb Environmental Roadmap | AHDB Length of the UK run Bovine tuberculosis | AHDB Support for farmers | AHDB GET IN TOUCH Charlotte, Hannah, Phil and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at agshow@ahdb.org.uk . Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can: Easily update your preferences and contact information Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more Receive important updates such as disease alerts

July 8, 202635 min

Groundswell 2026: What's Next for Farming?

The AG Show heads to Groundswell as the regenerative farming festival marks its 10th birthday, to find out what's getting farmers talking. First, we catch up with Groundswell co-founder John Cherry to look back at how the event has grown over the past decade and hear what he's learned from a mob grazing project he's been involved in. If you're a wheat grower looking to boost margins, don't miss our chat with a farmer who's transformed his business by turning his grain into flour and selling direct to bakeries. Plus, Charlotte puts her emergency first aid skills to the test in a farm accident scenario, and we get some practical tips on how to better understand what's going on beneath your feet by taking a closer look at your soil. SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND) Groundswell Festival 2027 Agrileader Circle at Groundswell Milling at Bruern – Bruern Farms Farmers Aid – from RABI The soil health scorecard | AHDB GET IN TOUCH Charlotte, Hannah, Phil and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at agshow@ahdb.org.uk . Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can: Easily update your preferences and contact information Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more Receive important updates such as disease alerts

July 1, 202641 min

Can your farm handle the heat? Climate resilience guide

After that record-breaking June heatwave, The AG Show is diving into what it really means for farming. We’re joined by Tom from the Met Office to break down what’s going on with our weather - and why extreme events are becoming more of the norm. We also catch up with AHDB’s climate resilience lead, Alice, to talk through how you can actually protect your farm, using the Climate Resilience Action Planner. Plus, there's details of the Farming Roadmap 2050, we hear how one farmer’s giving his hedgerows some extra attention and Stasha’s back with more Dad jokes… brace yourselves. SOME USEFUL BITS (FROM AHDB & BEYOND) Climate resilience on-farm action planner | AHDB Weather and climate change - Met Office Farming Roadmap 2050: Growing England’s Future (accessible version) - GOV.UK GET IN TOUCH Charlotte, Hannah, Phil and Producer Martin would love to hear what you think! Got feedback, stories, or ideas for future episodes? Drop them a message at agshow@ahdb.org.uk . Sign up to the AHDB Preference Centre so that you can: Easily update your preferences and contact information Get information on the latest AHDB events, webinars, market insights and more Receive important updates such as disease alerts