Farmers Weekly Podcast Episode 45: Rebel levy payers and Mind Your Head

In this episode, we examine the implications for farmers after growers vote to end the compulsory levy they pay to AHDB Horticulture.

As a terrible sugar beet season nears an end, we ask whether a support package from British Sugar is enough for farmers to keep growing the crop.

On the markets, it’s all about lamb prices – where will they go next?

See also: ‘I had to leave farming for the sake of my mental health’

The chairman of the Red Tractor cereals board seeks to reassure growers that assurance scheme standards aren’t out of control.

It’s Mind Your Head week and we visit an East Yorkshire microbrewery which has launched a brand new beer to help raise money for a farm charity.

And we look at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on mental health among farmers – and how more people are talking about the challenges they face.

The following charities and organisations are among those offering support for farmers, including help with mental health and wellbeing:

• Farming Community Network
• Royal Agricultural Benevolent Association
• RSABI
• Addington Fund
• You Are Not Alone (YANA)

Guests on this week’s episode include flower grower Simon Redden (Redford Flowers), carrot grower Rodger Hobson (British Carrot Growers Association),  tomato grower Philip Pearson (APS Produce), sugar beet grower Stafford Proctor (Proctor Bros), NFU sugar chairman Michael Sly, auctioneer Ted Ogden (CCM Auctions, Skipton), Essex farmer Guy Smith (Red Tractor cereals), James Hodgson (Great Newsome Brewery), Dr David Rose (Reading University) and Stephanie Berkeley (Yellow Wellies / Farm Safety Foundation).

This episode of the Farmers Weekly podcast is co-hosted by Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker and Surrey farmer Hugh Broom.