Concerns over inheritance tax, rising input costs, and food security are dominating conversations across UK farming.

We sat down with South Suffolk MP and Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge to ask the questions farmers are asking — including whether current tax proposals risk breaking up viable family farms, how rising costs are affecting profitability, and what meaningful engagement with government should look like.

This interview puts farming at the centre of the political debate.

Thank you to Tees Law for sponsoring this episode.
https://bit.ly/TeesLawAgri

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on the farming year covering the range of challenges farmers have faced, including inheritance tax, dealership closures and consolidation, rising input costs as well as some of the positives. We also take a look at what it means moving into 2026.

Plus breaking news on the Inheritance tax changes!

Farming remains one of the most dangerous professions in the UK, and the risks haven’t gone away.
In this episode of the Farmers Guide Podcast, Daniel and Sarah talk honestly about farm safety, why serious accidents and fatalities still happen, and what farmers can realistically do to reduce risk on their own farms.
In the most recent reporting year, 23 farm workers lost their lives in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain — a sobering statistic that underlines why this conversation still matters.

We discuss:

Why farming accounts for a disproportionate number of workplace fatalities

The most common causes of farm accidents — machinery, livestock, vehicles and falls

How time pressure, fatigue and lone working increase risk

Practical safety improvements that don’t require major investment

Where technology and innovation can genuinely improve safety

Why culture and behaviour matter just as much as equipment

This episode isn’t about blame or box-ticking. It’s about recognising familiar situations where something finally goes wrong — and how small changes can make a real difference.
Listen now — and consider one thing you could change on your farm this week.

Thank you to Tees Law for sponsoring this episode.

Shortly after Rachel Reeves announced her Autumn Budget, released on the 26th November, Farmers Guide deputy editor Sarah Kidby sat down with Chris Annis, group chief commercial officer at Affinia. Chris shares his expert insights on what this year’s Budget means for farmers, and some first steps you can take to mitigate the changes to inheritance tax.
For professional advice, you can get in touch with Chris’ team at: https://www.affinia.co.uk

Affinia is an accountancy and business advisory firm helping individuals and organisations make better financial decisions with confidence. With local offices in Suffolk and Essex, the firm has seen incredible growth over the last 18 months and now has 16 offices through the East, London and South East.

From everyday accounting to long-term strategic planning, their team is dedicated to understanding your goals and supporting you with proactive advice that truly adds value. Discover how Affinia can support you and your business at affinia.co.uk.

For anyone struggling with the emotional toll of the government’s IHT policy, you can reach out for help from a number of rural and mental health charities:

Farming Community Network: https://fcn.org.uk
RABI: https://rabi.org.uk
RSABI (Scotland): https://www.rsabi.org.uk
The DPJ Foundation: https://www.thedpjfoundation.co.uk
Rural Support (Northern Ireland): https://www.ruralsupport.org.uk
Samaritans: 116 123

In this episode of the Farmers Guide Podcast, director Greg Goulding is interviewed by machinery reporter Daniel Hodge about his experiences covering the 2025 farmer protest in London.
Greg was the first journalist on scene and saw everything as it unfolded, from the very first tractors to the final wind-down at the end of the day. We speak about the mood on the day, some of the factors leading to this point, how the police's response was, and much more. This is what really happened, from start to finish.

In this episode, we break down what happened to Rea Valley Tractors (RVT) after the company suddenly collapsed into administration in September 2025.
RVT’s collapse shows how quickly even large, established dealerships can fall in today’s high-cost, low-margin machinery market. Farmers now face increasingly tough decisions about buying used vs new — and where support will come from in the long term.
Using information from the official administrators' proposals, plus our first hand coverage of three major pre-sale auctions, we look at why RVT failed, what our visits revealed, and what this might mean for farmers and dealers moving into 2026.

In this episode, machinery reporter Daniel Hodge joins director Greg Goulding to look ahead to Agritechnica 2025 — the world’s largest agricultural machinery event. From Fendt’s electric tractor to John Deere’s 900hp 9RX, the pair discuss key trends shaping the show: automation, alternative fuels, connectivity, and operator comfort.
Daniel shares highlights from his visits across Europe, insight into how new tech could boost farm efficiency, and a reminder to pack your comfy shoes.
Presented by Farmers Guide – bringing you the latest in British agriculture, machinery, and innovation

In this episode of The Farmers Guide Podcast, machinery reporter Daniel Hodge and deputy editor Sarah Kidby explore one of the most important – and often hardest to talk about – issues in British agriculture: mental health.

They hear from Alex Phillimore, Head of Communications and Development at the Farming Community Network, who outlines the complex challenges farmers are facing – from isolation and financial strain to uncertainty about the future – and explains how FCN’s volunteers are helping people find a way forward.

Farmer Duncan Maclellan shares his powerful personal story of living with depression, his journey to recovery, and how speaking openly has become his way of helping others. Counsellor Sarah Worrall offers a professional perspective on the pressures of modern farming, why so many struggle to ask for help, and the importance of connection and conversation.

Finally, comedian and farmer Jim Smith joins the discussion to explain how his Keep Talking tour is using humour to bring rural communities together and remind people that it’s okay not to be okay.

Heartfelt, practical, and full of real-life insight, this episode shines a light on the realities of mental health in farming – and the growing network of people determined to make a difference.