Drought crisis, grain marketing, farm welfare grants, & 150 years of Aberdeen Angus cattle

As drought conditions worsen across England, MPs demand urgent government action to safeguard water supplies for food production.

South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough says farmers need more flexible abstraction licences, simpler rules for building reservoirs and adequate support.

We examine Defra’s new £1.5m Farmer Welfare Grant and ask whether improving personal resilience can help farmers navigate increasingly volatile weather, markets and government policy.

Meanwhile, grain marketing consultant Richard Whitlock warns growers to carry out due diligence when selling grain as profitability among merchants comes under pressure.

And we celebrate 150 volumes of the Aberdeen Angus Herd Book – and ask how genetics and data could shape the breed’s next 150 years.

Guests

* Ben Goldsborough – Labour MP for South Norfolk

* Samantha “Sammy” Seaman – farm leadership, mindset and resilience coach

* Richard Whitlock – grain marketing consultant

* Robert Gilchrist – chief executive, Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society

Chapters

00:55 – Farmers demand their fair share of water