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Farming Today

BBC Radio 4
Climate Change
Dairy Farming
Inheritance Tax
Farming
Agriculture
Animal Welfare
Biodiversity
Flooding
Northern Ireland
DEFRA
Trail Hunting
Sustainable Farming
Artificial Intelligence
Food Security
Environmental Regulation
Sustainable Farming Incentive
Avian Flu
Milk Prices
Potatoes
Farming Profitability

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

PublishesDailyEpisodes110Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for Farming Today

Latest Episodes

A judgement from the High Court yesterday ruled that the Food Standards Agency has been 'unlawfully' charging abattoirs too much and that it wasn’t transparent enough about what it was charging for. The ruling comes after a legal challenge by the Ass... more

The government has published fresh guidance for farmers and food businesses to help them prepare for the new sanitary and phytosanitary - or SPS - agreement between the UK and the EU. It's expected to take effect in a year's time. It's supposed to ma... more

A new report says there should be plenty of opportunities for young people to take up training and jobs in land-based work - but there's a 'skills squeeze'. The study by Lantra, a charity which provides training and qualifications in land-based indus... more

The latest analysis of wildfires shows that last year the UK recorded its highest burned area on record, including the country's first documented ‘megafire’ in Scotland, that's a fire which covers more than 10,000 hectares. Researchers from the Unive... more

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Recent Guests

Gregor Christie
Dairy and pig farmer, Dumfries and Galloway
Family farming business
Episode: 26/05/26 Mounting pressure for Scottish pig farmers, funding for rural churches, selling farm produce at markets
Roddy Kerr
Crofter and community leader in Clashnessie
Clashnessie crofters
Episode: 25/05/26 - The History of Crofting
Elizabeth Ritchie
Historian and crofting expert
University of the Highlands and Islands
Episode: 25/05/26 - The History of Crofting
Donna Smith
Chief executive of the Scottish Crofting Federation
Scottish Crofting Federation
Episode: 25/05/26 - The History of Crofting
John Crowther
Neighbour and crofter in the area
Local crofting community
Episode: 25/05/26 - The History of Crofting
Kate Fox
Grower, Fox Farm Flowers
Fox Farm Flowers
Episode: 23/05/26 Farming Today This Week: red diesel, Gulf trade deal, Climate Change Committee report, regen tenancies, flowers.
Ian Collinson
Owner, Collinson Cut Flowers
Collinson Cut Flowers
Episode: 23/05/26 Farming Today This Week: red diesel, Gulf trade deal, Climate Change Committee report, regen tenancies, flowers.
Matthew Morris
Executive Director for Rural at the Duchy of Cornwall
Duchy of Cornwall
Episode: 23/05/26 Farming Today This Week: red diesel, Gulf trade deal, Climate Change Committee report, regen tenancies, flowers.
Emma Pinchbeck
CEO, Climate Change Committee
Climate Change Committee
Episode: 23/05/26 Farming Today This Week: red diesel, Gulf trade deal, Climate Change Committee report, regen tenancies, flowers.

Hosts

Anna Hill
Host of Farming Today with long-standing involvement in BBC agriculture coverage.
Charlotte Smith
Host of Farming Today and This Week segments; frequent field reporting.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 521 ratings
  • Good questions

    I really appreciate how much the journalists on Farming Today push guests on the show. They actually asked them difficult questions and challenge them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aye11111111
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Left leaning and urbanised views

    Still a very left leaning and urban view of the countryside. Typical of the BBC sadly. Doesn’t want to truly understand that the countryside is a working place not an urban playground and won’t talk about the issues the BBC feel are inappropriate

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Billy the Kid!
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Great podcast, but not always uploaded everyday. The last show was 6 days ago. Please can we get back to daily uploads. And no I don’t want the bbc sounds app

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    AdamjBrad
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Great mix of topics

    Don’t listen to the vocal whingers and culture warriors who moan about political bias and compare Farming Today to Countryfile. This is a great little podcast with an interesting range of issues on land use/management (not just farming but also the environment, fishing and planning etc). Perhaps it’s name should be changed though to reflect the greater breadth of coverage beyond just agriculture. That may stop the grumbling farmers (who already have the Farmers Weekly podcast if they really want... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gulvain1
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Stop adverts

    It’s annoying.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Imnotlistening
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value practical farming insights and industry experts.
Proactive in challenging guests with tough questions.
Some listeners feel coverage is too policy-heavy at times.
Well-researched reporting and on-site field pieces.
Shows breadth by covering environment, farming policy, and market issues.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#45
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#45
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#224
France/Science
Apple Podcasts
#41
Ireland/Science
Apple Podcasts
#77
India/Science
Apple Podcasts
#128
Japan/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

12/05/26 Farming in Wales after Senedd elections; mapping soils in Northern Ireland; new national plant health centre
Q: Will realignment with the EU and border changes affect how plants and pests are controlled in the UK?
While we keep a dynamic alignment with EU regulations, there will still be biosecurity controls on high-risk plants through plant passports, national notification, and inspectors at critical points, ensuring we can act quickly even if border checks are reduced.
12/05/26 Farming in Wales after Senedd elections; mapping soils in Northern Ireland; new national plant health centre
Q: Could you explain the sorts of things you're worried about in plant health and how the new centre will help address them?
The centre will not build new buildings but will bring together experts from the RHS and APHA, leveraging the Plant Health Risk Register and the Pest and Disease Identification Service to create a comprehensive, high-security system for monitoring and responding to plant pests and diseases across professional and home gardening sectors.
06/05/26 Weedkiller glyphosate and its use on crops. Sounds of the soil.
Q: What alternatives could farmers use then to avoid desiccation while maintaining soil health and yield?
Experts suggest funding, research and innovation, and independent advice to promote methods that protect soil health—such as reducing tillage rather than relying on desiccants, and adopting practices that balance crop readiness with environmental and health considerations.
06/05/26 Weedkiller glyphosate and its use on crops. Sounds of the soil.
Q: Sorry, can I just get this clear? So you're saying it's OK to use glyphosate to kill off cover crops, but it's not OK to spray it on crops as a desiccant pre-harvest?
The Soil Association argues that while glyphosate may have a role in certain farming contexts, its use as a pre-harvest desiccant should be banned because residues could end up in foods, and the campaign calls for government action to stop that specific practice.
04/05/26 Neolithic Farming and Feasting
Q: You followed a wild diet for a year and tested calorie intake—were people hungry?
Not really; many wild foods are dense and fiber-rich, which helped people feel satiated on smaller quantities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Farming Today

What is Farming Today about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A concise, one-dish overview of the countryside and food industry, blending policy analysis with on-the-ground reporting from farming communities and rural events. Episodes frequently explore climate, animal health, soil, pests, and market dynamics, often pairing regulatory updates with practical case studies from farms, nurseries, and supply chains. A standout trait is the ability to translate complex policy into tangible implications for farmers, retailers, and consumers, while maintaining accessible storytelling through on-site reporting and expert commentary from agriculture, environment, and science figures. This mix makes it a strong fit for listeners who want timely, actionable insight into UK farming, food systems, and rural life, w... more

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How many listeners does Farming Today get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Farming Today has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Farming Today?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Farming Today:

1. The Farmers Weekly Podcast
2. FED by Farmers Podcast
3. Open Country
4. The Food Programme
5. More or Less

How many episodes of Farming Today are there?

Farming Today launched 19 years ago and published 110 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Farming Today?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Farming Today?

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What guests have appeared on Farming Today?

Recent guests on Farming Today include:

1. Gregor Christie
2. Roddy Kerr
3. Elizabeth Ritchie
4. Donna Smith
5. John Crowther
6. Kate Fox
7. Ian Collinson
8. Matthew Morris

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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