Red diesel prices, Can AI replace your agronomist? & Farmers Weekly Live

Soaring diesel prices are putting fresh pressure on farm businesses – and the outlook suggests volatility could continue well into 2027. In this episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast, we examine what is driving the surge in fuel costs, whether farmers should buy now or wait, and how hedging and reducing diesel use could help manage the risk. We also ask whether artificial intelligence could eventually replace your agronomist after Bedfordshire grower Andrew Robinson handed control of a winter wheat fungicide programme to AI. Plus, we hear from some of the winners at the 2026 Farmers Weekly Awards, discuss the latest debate over rural Britain and farm policy, bring you our weekly market round-up, and unveil Farmers Weekly Live – a new farm business event coming to Stoneleigh Park in July 2027. The episode also includes the Farmers Weekly Autumn Drilling Update, in association with Bayer Crop Science. **Chapters** **00:00 – Introduction** **00:53 – Why diesel prices are soaring** **03:59 – Should farmers buy diesel now or wait?** **06:33 – What expensive diesel means for farming** **14:10 – Autumn Drilling Update** **17:02 – Can AI replace your agronomist?** **19:05 – How AI could change agronomy** **24:36 – This week in farming** **27:37 – Rural Britain and Westminster** **31:17 – Farming and the UK’s relationship with Europe** **34:05 – Markets** **36:38 – Farmers Weekly Live launches** **43:01 – Podcast close** **Guests** **Patrick Crean** – fuel procurement manager, AF Group **Jenny Deakin** – Bayer Crop Science **Andrew Robinson** – Bedfordshire arable farmer **Andrew Meredith** – editor, Farmers Weekly **Dan Smith** – managing director, Farmers Weekly **Presented by:** Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. **Useful links** **Farmers Weekly Live – 6-7 July 2027, NAEC Stoneleigh** Details of the new event and registration of interest.  ⁠https://www.fwi.co.uk/sp/events/farmers-weekly-live **Red diesel price volatility hits autumn fieldwork** Farmers Weekly’s report on the sharp rise in fuel costs and the implications for autumn operations.  ⁠https://www.fwi.co.uk/business/red-diesel-price-volatility-hits-autumn-fieldwork **Farmers Weekly Awards 2026 winners** The full list of this year’s winners, including Farm Manager of the Year Will Jones and Environmental Champion Colin Chappell.  ⁠https://www.fwi.co.uk/sp/events/past-winners-2026 **Alistair Leake – Lifetime Achievement Award** Farmers Weekly profile of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement winner.  ⁠https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/farmers-weekly-awards-2026-lifetime-achievement-winner **Bayer Crop Science – autumn grassweed management** Advice on blackgrass, Italian ryegrass and brome management in wheat.  ⁠https://cropscience.bayer.co.uk/insights/weed-management/weed-out-uncertainty **Alternator Met herbicide information** Bayer Crop Science information on autumn cereal weed control and application timings.  ⁠https://cropscience.bayer.co.uk/our-products/herbicides/alternator-met **Farmers Weekly – latest farming news, analysis and markets** ⁠https://www.fwi.co.uk/ **Contact the podcast:** podcast@fwi.co.uk UK listeners can text **FARM** followed by their message to **88440**. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.