Drought crisis: MPs demand fair share of water for farming

In this episode, 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 MP** **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** **01:25 – Ben Goldsborough: “Drier than Jerusalem”** **02:28 – Abstraction licences and regulation** **03:16 – Food security versus data centres** **03:48 – What farmers can do** **05:35 – Is Defra listening?** **08:17 – What help do drought-hit farms need?** **10:57 – A climate “doom loop”?** **14:37 – Bayer Autumn Drilling Update** **16:55 – £1.5m Farmer Welfare Grant** **17:20 – Samantha Seaman on handling pressure** **20:01 – Building resilient farm businesses** **23:25 – Can farmers bounce back?** **26:31 – Bluetongue situation worsens** **30:57 – Sustainable Farming Incentive update** **32:27 – Harvest quality surprises** **34:47 – Be careful who buys your grain** **36:47 – Checking your grain buyer** **38:30 – Commodity markets** **41:27 – Aberdeen Angus at 150** **42:29 – Why Aberdeen Angus endures** **43:17 – Genetics, DNA and lower emissions** **49:30 – Closing remarks** **Useful links** **Rural Payments Agency extreme weather guidance** RPA extreme weather guidance **Defra Farmer Welfare Grant** Farmer Welfare Grant information **Samantha Seaman Coaching** Samantha Seaman Coaching **Richard Whitlock – grain merchant analysis** Grain merchants and Richard Whitlock analysis **Bayer Crop Science – weed management** Bayer Crop Science weed management **Bayer Crop Science – black-grass resource** Bayer black-grass guide **Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society** Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society **Contact the podcast** Email **podcast@fwi.co.uk** UK listeners can text the word **FARM**, followed by their message, to **88440**. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.