Out on the farm in the amazing #Lancashire countryside with ⁦Stephen Lowe⁩ and talking to Heather Whalley about their British Blue herd. Live on Radio Lancs this afternoon.

At Agritechnica 2023 in Hanover and Fendt has a full hangar just for a press launch. A different scale altogether

Fendt says interest rate hikes will continue to affect demand into 2024 but, they claim, the ‘professional farmer’ market demanding +200hp tractors will be less adversely impacted

After a few days at Agritechnica it was off to ⁦Farm Business Innovation⁩ at the NEC. Run by Agriconnect it’s a great farm diversification event and is taking place again tomorrow (Nov 16). Also had the pleasure of seeing ⁦Jenny Jefferies⁩ and picking up her wonderful book

I've worked with Stephen Lowe for the past 13 years on Radio Lancashire and he is, in my opinion, one of the great radio men. His warmth and genuine interest always shines through and I'm very proud to call him a friend. Go well 'behind the desk' mate.

As Mark Drakeford steps down as Wales' First Minister, I'm reminded of the superb cartoon we ran in Farmers Guardian following his meltdown in the NFU Cymru 🚜 pavilion at the 2022 Royal Welsh. I doubt I'll ever again see a politician react with the anger he did over NVZs that day.

How to spot a uk farmer by their choice of footwear, what rising interest rates mean for farm machinery and the German love of pork products. All on the latest edition of the Farmers Guardian podcast open.spotify.com/episode/0zz34V…

A jarring but vital exclusive by Rachael Brown into the personal impact of farm inspections. Surely a change of approach is needed.

Trump, Johnson, the threat of no deal Brexit and 3 PMs in 1 year (is that a Crowded House song?). Minette Batters recaps the startling political turbulence she has seen during her 6 years as NFU president #NFU24

A standing ovation for ⁦minette batters⁩ at the end of her final presidential address to conference #NFU24

Food security is about national security, ⁦Rishi Sunak⁩ tells #NFU24. Many in the audience, however, would no doubt question Government’s commitment to that given the state of agri-environment schemes for some.

Environment Agency chair Alan Lovell makes a huge challenge to farmers: “This is a 2 way street. I will take my medicine on flood management but you need to take yours on pollution incidents. Between us we have got to make a difference in this space.”

After Rishi Sunak told #NFU24 yesterday that farmers ‘didn’t do it for the money’ (!), the political spokesman are on more bullish and conciliatory form this morning.

The transition from BPS is undermining UK food production and hurting upland farmers in particular, an impassioned ⁦Tim Farron⁩ tells #NFU24

Paul Williams talking for every single #Welsh farmer I’ve spoken to at #NFU24 when he asks the panel what message they would send to a Welsh government many feel is decimating the #farming industry. The fear for the future of Welsh agriculture is palpable.

So, after 13 years at Farmers Guardian, tomorrow will be my last day. For 5 years as news editor, 7 as editor and the last year as publisher it has been a joy. I've always believed in the power of good journalism but now is the right time to step away, recharge & see what is next

OMG Wayne Airey and Adam Airey my mind is officially blown!! Could also wear it on the course I reckon #Rovers

Out until the wee hours covering the Ribble Valley election count for local media outlets Blog Preston and Lancashire Post. A Tory borough for 32 years, boundary changes and the national mood mean this could be the tightest battle in many years

Massive night in the Ribble Valley as it elects Maya Ellis, its first ever Labour MP. Nigel Evans, who has held the seat for Tories for 32 years, was gracious in defeat but acknowledged the fact that Reform has split the Conservative vote.

Proud to now be working for UK Agri-Tech Centre as interim head of marketing & comms and showcasing the great work we do as part of #Farm24. Marginally surreal to be on the other side of fence as former colleagues Farmers Guardian do a great job promoting British farming