This week’s NFU news reel

16 September 2026 3 minute read
NFU President Tom Bradshaw speaking to press

NFU President Tom Bradshaw speaking to the press huddle at the NFU MP reception on Back British Farming Day. Photograph: Miranda Parry

The NFU and its members have continued to make their voices heard in the media this week, speaking out on issues from the impact of this summer’s dry weather on food production to the cash flow crisis facing many of Britain’s farming businesses.

With coverage in The Times, the Daily Mail and Al Jazeera, here are some of the places we’ve been making our voices heard this week.

750 pieces of total coverage

349 mentions across all broadcast

127 pieces of national print, TV and radio coverage

“Farmers are facing an unprecedented cash flow crisis which started with dramatic inflation caused by the Middle East war.”

NFU President Tom Bradshaw in The Mirror

Food self-sufficiency 

Last week marked the 11th annual Back British Farming Day, which saw the NFU land over 500 pieces of regional and national media coverage following the launch of its ‘Ready to Grow: Unlocking British Farming's Economic Potential' report highlighting a decline in UK’s self-sufficiency in everyday foods.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw was interviewed by several national broadcasters on the day, including BBC Radio 5 Live Wake Up to Money, Times Radio and GB News.

Tom has also been quoted by The Mirror this week, highlighting the “cash flow crisis” facing British farmers and growers amid the impact of this summer’s dry weather on pumpkin crops.

Our members also played a key role in Back British Farming Day, speaking to media across the regions in over 300 pieces of news coverage. Regional broadcast interviews included BBC Look North, ITV Central, ITV Meridian and ITV West Country.


    

Catch a glimpse of the NFU coverage across national and regional media on Back British Farming Day.

Members in the spotlight

NFU Hertfordshire member Will Dickinson has been interviewed by The Times after he was crushed by falling hay bales and left in an induced coma for 10 days. Will spoke about the accident and his recovery as he continues his fight to walk again.

The Daily Mail featured NFU Poultry Board member Jo Hilditch in a piece about the UK's increasing appetite for chicken. Alongside statistics on self-sufficiency from the NFU's Ready to Grow report, Jo highlighted the sector's high production standards and the barriers they face in meeting public demand.

Our members are also continuing to speak about how this summer’s drought and dry weather have impacted their farming businesses. NFU South member Alex Nelms spoke to Al Jazeera about how the extreme weather affected his wheat crop, with Tom Bradshaw also quoted in the story.


Tell your story

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues covered in the news this week and want to share your story, contact our press and editorial teams.

Email: [email protected]

This page was first published on 17 June 2026. It was updated on 16 September 2026.


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