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Week 45 · 29 Oct–4 Nov 2026 · Policy & farm businessPolicy & farm business, this week
What the farming and nutrition podcasts we follow said this week about policy & farm business: 4 stories lean strongly to it, led by “Soil and pasture profit returns”. What was said, why it matters, and where to listen.
- Policy & farm business
Soil and pasture profit returns
On the Farmers Guardian Podcast, Dr Paul O'Hora reported an organo-mineral fertiliser trial added about £205/ha revenue. On Talking Dairy (levy-funded), Keely Buckingham said extra pasture harvested yields NZ$350/ha extra operating profit.
“based on average grain prices, that it represents an increase in revenue of about £205 a hectare, just based on changing the fertilizer over to a organo-mineral fertilizer”
Dr Paul O'Hora, The Farmers Guardian PodcastWhy it matters. Concrete figures on fertiliser and pasture management could guide decisions on input spending and grazing targets.
Listen: Talking Dairy · The Farmers Guardian Podcast
- Policy & farm business
Extreme weather hits yields
Agriland reports 82% of England still in drought despite rain; Farmers Guide cites AHDB modelling showing extreme weather could cut farm profits up to 61%. Agrispective covered El Niño's impact on Indian farmers; RealAg Radio examined warm-fall wheat growth in Ontario.
Why it matters. Weather swings are already reshaping yields, costs and profit forecasts, forcing growers to rethink crop choice and timing.
Listen: Agriland · Agrispective with Subramani Ra Mancombu · CountryWide · Farmers Guide
- Policy & farm business
Low-input and grass-based livestock systems
Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast featured Duncan Shell on organic uplands farming; Meet the Farmers profiled BFA Sheep Farmer of the Year 2026 on outdoor lambing; RealAg Radio and Irish Farmers Journal covered mixed livestock management and schemes.
Why it matters. Low-input approaches and scheme changes affect costs, labour and returns for livestock producers.
Listen: RealAg Radio (RealAgriculture) · Irish Farmers Journal podcasts · Meet the Farmers · Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast
- Ag commodities
Dairy price pressure across UK and EU
Agriland reports EU milk prices down almost 20% despite rising production and oversupply. Farmers Guide says UK farmgate prices remain 16% lower year-on-year despite a September rise, with cow numbers falling. Farming Today and Farmers Guardian cover the price cuts pushing farmers towards financial breaking point.
Why it matters. Falling prices alongside rising costs and shrinking herds point to mounting financial pressure across the dairy sector.
Listen: Agriland · Farmers Guide · Farming Today · Farming in Five by Farmers Guardian
Also in this edition
- Grain market risk management
- Water-use figures in food claims
- Digital Dairy Chain skills project
- GLP-1 drugs and diet
- Farming's climate and emissions footprint
- UK quinoa and ethical sourcing
- Farm system shapes beef micronutrients
Policy & farm business in earlier weeks
The full Week 45 edition · The podcasts we follow · The weekly data