Drought-hit dairy farmers in France face difficult decisions over winter feed and herd numbers, while catastrophic floods in Nepal have destroyed crops, livestock and productive farm assets.
In Australia, mango growers worry that migration changes could leave them short of workers during a narrow harvest window. US farmers await clarity as a new Farm Bill moves through Congress, and Kenyan authorities investigate allegations that tea growers have been short-changed at collection centres.
Plus, the Global Market Report examines rising physical wheat prices around the Black Sea — and why stronger international values do not necessarily mean better returns at the farm gate.
Presented by Simon Morris.
This week’s stories:
Europe — Normandy dairy farmers count the cost of drought
In France’s Pays d’Auge, drought has turned a difficult grazing season into a winter-feed crisis. Dairy farmers are buying expensive hay, drilling emergency forage crops and considering whether to reduce herd numbers. We hear how those decisions could affect milk production and farm productive capacity well beyond this winter.
Asia — Nepal floods destroy crops and productive assets
August flash floods along the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli river corridor damaged more than 1,800 hectares of paddy and vegetables. Livestock losses have added to the damage, raising the prospect that some smallholders could lose not just one harvest, but several production cycles.
Oceania — Mango growers face harvest labour uncertainty
Mango growers in Australia’s Northern Territory are preparing for a short, intensive harvest amid uncertainty over changes to migration rules. The question is whether enough suitably skilled workers will reach remote orchards at precisely the right time.
North America — US Farm Bill advances, but uncertainty remains
The US Senate Agriculture Committee has advanced the Agricultural Act of 2026 in a narrow party-line vote. The proposals could affect risk management, conservation, agricultural finance, specialty crops, research and biofuels — but farmers still cannot be certain what the final legislation will contain.
Africa — Kenya investigates tea weighing complaints
Five tea-collection clerks have been arrested in Kericho County following complaints from growers about the weighing of green-leaf deliveries. The case highlights a fundamental issue for smallholders: the price farmers receive matters only if their crop is measured accurately.
Global Market Report — Black Sea wheat
Physical wheat prices in Romania and Bulgaria reached roughly three-and-a-half-month highs as risks surrounding Ukrainian ports and shipping supported Black Sea values. But disrupted export routes mean the international price tells only part of the story. For farmers, what matters is the price actually available at the farm gate.
Contributors
Simon Morris – Presenter
Lukas Fischer – Europe Correspondent
Samuel Njoroge – Africa Correspondent
Claire Mitchell – Oceania Correspondent
Daniel Mercer – North America Correspondent
Ananya Rao – Asia Correspondent
Useful links:
Normandy drought and dairy farming (Le Monde)
Nepal floods - agriculture and livestock losses (UN Food and Agriculture Organization)
Nepal flood damage assessment (Radio Nepal)
Australia’s mango harvest and migration changes (SBS News)
US Agricultural Act of 2026 (US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry)
Kenya tea weighing investigation (The Star)
Black Sea wheat market (Prospex Agro)
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