The Toronto Blue Jays had a difficult week against two playoff hopefuls in the National League, as they dropped four of five games against the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. We talked about Spencer Horwitz's big week, which saw the rookie mash three home runs and increase his on-base plus slugging percentage to .827 on the season. We als…

In this episode, we look at the future of the UK potato sector with a special visit to the Potato Days UK event at Dyson Farming. With the crop under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, we find out how potato growers and processors are reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We discuss the role regenerative agriculture has when it comes to potato p…

The Toronto Blue Jays wrap up a grueling week with eight games in seven days, returning home after a labour day day-off as the Philadelphia Phillies head into town. We talked about the Danny Jansen game and the scorecard anomaly that it was including the two "debuts" you never knew happened. Plus, Bowden Francis stays hot as he allows one hit in 7.…

Welcome to this special episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast – the Farmers Weekly Question Time event at Cookstown in Northern Ireland. Recorded in front of a live studio audience, farmers, students and other guests quiz industry leaders on topical agricultural issues. Our panel is: - John Gilliland, Professor of Practice in Agriculture & Sustaina…

The Toronto Blue Jays had a winning homestand this week, as they dropped a three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds before sweeping a four-game set with the L.A. Angels. We talked about the back-to-back home runs that Joey Loperfido and Addison Barger hit to walk-off the Angels and how both young hitters have improved as their seasons have gone alon…

In this episode, Queen guitarist and wildlife campaigner Brian May is under fire after calling for an end to badger culling in England. The complaints come head of a BBC TV documentary in which Sir Brian argues that badgers are wrongly blamed for spreading bovine tuberculosis. We look at why British holidaymakers have been banned from bringing back…

It was a solid week for the Toronto Blue Jays, as they swept the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on the road before dropping two of three in a l0w-scoring weekend series at Wrigley Field. We talked about all of the notable stuff on the field from last week, including Will Wagner's Major League debut, the two seven-inning performances put forward by B…

In this episode, we pay a special visit to the UK's biggest farmer-owned grain storage facility at the height of harvest. Camgrain stores up to 500,000 tonnes of cereals, oilseed rape and pulse crops every year on behalf of its 500 farmer-members. Camgrain's four advanced processing centres work around the clock to take in hundreds of lorry loads o…

The Toronto Blue Jays started the week by winning their first series victory over the Baltimore Orioles since all the way back in 2022 but finished with a series loss to the lowly Oakland Athletics over the weekend. We talked about the notable things from last week's slate of games, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. seeing his hitting streak snapped …

In this episode, we get to grips with the latest Sustainable Farming Incentive – and what it means for your farm business. Scottish growers face heavy losses after virus-hit potato crops are destroyed in an effort to protect high-health status seed production. Could more winter linseed be grown as an alternative break crop? We've a harvest update a…

The Toronto Blue Jays had a rough time with the top two teams in the American League East this week, as they won just two of seven games against the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. We talked about the games in Baltimore and New York, the debut of Joey Loperfido, Addison Barger hitting his first big-league home run, Aaron Judge getting inten…

In this episode, the government pledges a new deal for farmers to boost confidence across the industry. We look at what the promise might mean – and what it might deliver. Lottery money for landscapes – farmers could be among the winners from a £150m heritage fund to revitalise wildlife habitats and the environment. Industry leaders highlight the i…

The 2024 Major League Baseball trade deadline has come and gone and the Toronto Blue Jays netted themselves quite a haul as sellers. Traded away to contending teams were Yusei Kikuchi, Danny Jansen, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Justin Turner, Kevin Kiermaier, Yimi Garcia, Nate Pearson, and Trevor Richards. Coming back to the Blue Jays are Jake Bloss, Joey L…

That was certainly an eventful weekend. The Toronto Blue Jays hosted the Texas Rangers and pulled off their first sweep since late May. They also made three trades, as Yimi Garcia was dealt to the Seattle Mariners, Nate Pearson was moved to the Chicago Cubs, and Danny Jansen was traded to the Boston Red Sox. We talked about the series against Texas…

In this episode, farm leader Tom Bradshaw says a bigger budget is needed for British farmers to deliver food security and reach Net Zero. The NFU president wants the government to set aside £5.6bn for agriculture – more than twice the current annual amount. We visit the Royal Welsh Show where the budget for agriculture in Wales is also a hot topic …

The slow walk to the end of the 2024 season continues. The Blue Jays hosted the Tampa Bay Rays this week in Toronto and dropped their third series in a row with one win and two losses. We talked about Jose Berrios' splits from April and May compared to June and July, how Yariel Rodriguez has been a bright spot this year, and Chris Bassitt's comment…

With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, we're now officially into the second half of the 2024 MLB season. The Blue Jays hosted the Detroit Tigers and got dropped on Friday and Saturday but avoided being swept with a win on Sunday. We looked back at the notable things from the weekend, including the performance that Yusei Kikuchi had in what…

In this episode, a young farmer tells how he is lucky to be alive after being trapped under a stack of falling bales. Christopher Rolfe was airlifted to hospital following the accident thanks to Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance. Chris told his story at the start of Farm Safety Week – the annual campaign by the Farm Safety Foundation and the Yell…

The 2024 MLB Draft happened this week, so we welcomed Brendon Kuhn to the show to talk about the players that the Blue Jays selected. We looked at the three pitchers they selected with their picks in the first three rounds and then looked at some possible late-round steals from further down the draft. After that, we talked about the team's big-pict…

It's the All-Star break, meaning the first half of the 2024 Major League Baseball season has come to an end. We took a quick look at what happened this weekend in Arizona, as the Blue Jays dropped two of three to the Diamondbacks. After that, we went through a Three Up, Three Down for the first half of the season, which included the bats not bounci…

Make that back-to-back series wins for the Toronto Blue Jays, as they continued their West Coast road trip by taking two of three against the San Francisco Giants. We talked about Yusei Kikuchi's 13-strikeout gem being blown on a walk-off wild pitch, the Blue Jays teeing off for 10 runs for just the third time in a game this season, and how Matt Ch…

In this episode, in a special harvest preview, we look at the prospects for cereal crops as combines roll into oilseed rape. New Defra secretary Steve Reed makes his first speech to farmers at the Great Yorkshire Show. What can we expect from the new government when it comes to supply chain fairness – and will it put its money where its mouth is? M…

The Toronto Blue Jays sent the travelling fans in Seattle home happy, as the visiting team took two of three from the Mariners this weekend. We talked about all of the good stuff Toronto's first series win in Seattle since 2018, including Yariel Rodriguez's first Major League win and Leo Jimenez's first big-league hits. We also talked about Addison…

In this episode, after being swept to power in a landslide general election, we examine what the UK's new Labour government means for farming. We get the low-down on the policies we can expect for agriculture – and the challenges likely to be faced when funding them. We discuss the implications, opportunities and the threats – with former Defra sec…

The Blue Jays put up a listless loss at home on Canada Day on Monday and wound up dropping three of four to the visiting Houston Astros. We talked about the excellent start by Yariel Rodriguez that was wasted, how the extreme regression from the bullpen was something nobody saw coming this season, and Leo Jimenez coming up as the latest recall from…

In this episode, we join the crowds at the 2024 Groundswell event to find out how regenerative agriculture has fared in a challenging season. We ask: is regenerative agriculture really more resilient than conventional farming? We find out about the premiums available for farming regeneratively and ask whether farmers should abide by a set of standa…

After being swept in back-to-back series, the Blue Jays earned a split in Boston against the Red Sox and saw their losing streak end at seven games. We talked about Monday's blown lead by the bullpen and Tuesday's rebound win, which was highlighted by a seven-run inning. We also talked about Bo Bichette's return to the lineup from the Injured List …

The Toronto Blue Jays have dropped six games in a row, as the team went to Cleveland over the weekend and got swept aside by the Guardians. We talked about all the ugly stuff from this series, including Yariel Rodriguez's rough return from the Injured List and the Blue Jays scoring only nine runs over the course of three games. We also talked about…

In this episode, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tells Farmers Weekly he has a clear plan for UK agriculture – if the Tories win the General Election. With farm machinery becoming ever more expensive, we meet the farmer who decided to reduce costs by building his direct drill. We visit the Royal Highland Show and discuss the future for Scottish agricult…

The Toronto Blue Jays hosted the Boston Red Sox for a mid-season American League East Battle of the Middle and things didn't go well. The bats could only muster three runs in each of the games and the Blue Jays were swept for the first time this season. We talked about the various ways the Blue Jays managed to lose games in this series, which featu…

The Toronto Blue Jays had a successful weekend, as they took two of three games from the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians. We talked about the big series that Daulton Varsho had, the arrival of Spencer Horwitz and Addison Barger to the big-league club, the elbow injury suffered by Yimi Garcia, and the struggles of George Springer at the plate…

In this episode, farm leader Tom Bradshaw calls for Covid-style business loans to help farmers ride out the impact of a challenging year. We join thousands of growers at the 2024 Cereals event in Hertfordshire – the UK's biggest two-day show for arable farmers. We get the low-down on the latest wheat and barley varieties – and ask: do they deliver …

In what will be their last-ever trip to the Oakland Coliseum, the Toronto Blue Jays took care of business and won two of three games during their weekend series with the Athletics. We talked about the excellent pitching performances the Blue Jays got, highlighted by Kevin Gausman throwing the first complete game shutout of his Major League Career. …

In this episode, with an increase in dog attacks on livestock, we look at the options for farmers trying to combat a growing problem. Politicians are battling for farmers' votes in the run-up to next month's elections – so why aren't would-be MPs being clear about policies for agriculture? We preview this month's Cereals event – and look ahead to a…

After getting hammered in the first two games of this week's four-game set with the high-flying Baltimore Orioles, the Blue Jays battled back with a pair of victories to earn a split with their AL East rivals. We talked about the good and bad from the series with Baltimore, including Isiah Kiner-Falefa's walk-off single, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s con…

It was a busy weekend in Toronto, as the Blue Jays debuted their new City Connect jersey and took two of three from the Pittsburgh Pirates. We talked about the series against Pittsburgh, Jordan Romano landing on the Injured List, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting a start at third base for the first time since his rookie season. After that, we talke…

In this episode, we ask is there a problem with young farmer culture? The debate follows a Farmers Weekly's investigation into the experiences of young women of sexual assault at young farmers' events. We look at why farmers could be faced with changes to the amount of muck and slurry they can spread in the autumn following a landmark legal case. W…

That's what the easy part of the schedule is supposed to look like! After a frustrating series in Detroit, the Blue Jays marched into Chicago and pulled off their first series sweep of the season, taking down the White Sox in all three games. We talked about the series in Chicago, George Springer's success lower in the lineup, and the elbow injury …

Isn't this supposed to be the easy part of the schedule? The Toronto Blue Jays rolled into Detroit and dropped three of four to the Tigers, highlighted by a heartbreaking walk-off loss on Sunday that spoiled an incredible comeback. We talked about the bullpen meltdown, Alek Manoah's rough outing, the broadcast crew navigating a power outage, and th…

In this episode, we look at what the forthcoming General Election might mean for UK farmers – who is promising what and to whom. After Defra unveils its latest offer for the Sustainable Farming Incentive, we get the lowdown on the implications for your farm business. Glyphosate or ploughing – what is best for soil health? We find out at the Green F…

For the first time in a month, the Toronto Blue Jays won a series. It was against the lowly Chicago White Sox, but, as they say, two out of three ain't bad. We talked about Bo Bichette's big series at the plate, the three quality starts the Blue Jays got from their starting pitchers, and the return of the Home Run Jacket in the series finale. After…

It's now been a month since the Blue Jays won a series, as the Tampa Bay Rays rolled into town over the weekend and took two of three. Friday's game saw swingman Tyler Alexander carry a perfect game through seven innings and Saturday's game saw the Blue Jays blow a 4-0 lead in a 5-4 loss. The series was salvaged on Sunday thanks to an excellent sta…

In this episode, we run the rule over Defra's new food security index – will it really mean a better deal for British farmers? We get the lowdown on Rishi Sunak's second Farm to Fork Summit – and ask whether the Prime Minister's garden party for food producers will achieve anything? Is it positive for pigs? An upbeat Pig and Poultry Fair suggests t…

The Toronto Blue Jays earned a split with the Baltimore Orioles this week in a series that was limited to just two games because of rain. We talked about the team's gutsy victory on Monday, in which they earned a win in extra innings despite not having anybody available off the bench. We also talked about how that momentum disappeared immediately, …

Talk about a rollercoaster ride. The Toronto Blue Jays were dropped in their series opener against the Minnesota Twins on Friday, they responded with a wild come-from-behind victory on Saturday, and then fell right back into their typical woes with a listless loss on Sunday. We talked about the team wasting another excellent start from Yusei Kikuch…

In this episode, Defra secretary Steve Barclay promises more support for farmers following a challenging wet winter and spring. Mr Barclay made the pledge in a keynote speech at the Farmers Weekly Transition Live event in Cambridgeshire on Thursday, 9 May 2024. This episode of the Farmers Weeky Podcast was recorded on location at the event – held a…

The streak of consecutive series losses has been snapped at four. The Toronto Blue Jays earned a split in their two-game set with the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies. They got pumped 10-1 in the opener on Tuesday, held a closed-door team meeting afterward, and returned with a 5-3 victory on Wednesday. We talked about José Berríos's first rough outing…

That's four series losses in a row for the Toronto Blue Jays, who dropped two of three games in a sloppy series against the Washington Nationals. We talked about how the bats came through with more offence than usual but the team's bullpen faltered in both of their losses. We also talked about Alek Manoah making his first start with the Blue Jays s…

In this episode, industry leaders voice concern after the Health and Safety Executive says it will no longer take a pro-active approach to farm safety. It's been a sticky few year's for farming’s levy board. So what's next? We meet Graham Wilkinson, the new chief executive at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Milk prices keep clim…

That's three consecutive series losses now for the Toronto Blue Jays, as the Kansas City Royals rolled into town and picked up wins in two of three games. We talked about how the Blue Jays busted their streak of 20 games without scoring more than five runs on Monday and then proceeded to score just one run in back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wedne…