Mental health in farming has always been a problem, but it’s only in recent years that this has become prominent in the national conversation.

• Only 55% of farmers feel positive about their mental health, according to a survey conducted by Farmers Weekly.
• 95% of UK farmers under the age of 40 rank poor mental health as one of the biggest hidden problems facing farmers today, according to a 2024 study by the Farm Safety Foundation.
• According to the Office for National Statistics, 62 farmers died by suicide in England and Wales in 2023.

For the final episode in series one of Talk Farm, host Rory Hutchings sits down with Malcolm Thomas, trustee and former Chairman of the National Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

Malcolm’s long and celebrated career has been dedicated to driving positive change in the agricultural sector, from his close involvement with RABI and his lifetime membership of the Young Farmers’ Club movement to leadership roles in the National Farmers Union. Malcolm has deservedly been awarded an MBE for services to agriculture in Wales.

In this conversation, one-time colleagues and long-term friends Malcolm and Rory discuss the factors driving poor mental health in the farming community, from unpredictable weather and livestock disease to lack of public support and loneliness.

As the government moves ahead with its plans to make significant cuts to Agricultural Relief and Business Property Relief, the challenge for farmers and landowners is becoming more acute.

Malcolm shares his perspective on how we can support those who are struggling, starting with improved agricultural education for the country more broadly and progressing to provide clear support paths for individuals who find themselves in trouble.

Resources for those in need:

• RABI offer a number of supports to those struggling with their mental health, including ‘Click & Chat,’ their online mental wellbeing service and connecting those in need with counselling support.
• The DPJ Foundation provide a 24/7 confidential counselling referral service for members of the agricultural community.

In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

The show is presented by Rory Hutchings and James Frankland, Partners in HCR Law’s Agriculture and Estates team. Learn more about our services for agricultural professionals.

The Royal Welsh show has been held in its namesake country since 1904 and is today one of the largest shows in Europe.

There's no one better placed, then, to talk about the role of agricultural shows in sustaining rural life than Aled Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.

Aled was also on the board of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth and has previously served as Chief Operating Officer for The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers.

Partner and Co-host of Talk Farm, Rory Hutchings, has known Aled for a long time. In this episode, he asks for his perspective on the role agricultural shows have played in bringing rural communities together, strengthening the agricultural economy, and spreading awareness of farming life more widely.

They discuss how shows like the Royal Welsh have evolved over the years, and why their appeal remains so strong today. The show has only been called off a handful of times in its 120-year history, for reasons ranging from world wars to foot-and-mouth disease and - more recently - Covid-19.

The conversation covers the role of agricultural shows in bringing people together and encouraging resilience during adverse times, equipping the next generation of farmers with the opportunity to connect and grow their skills, and inspiring diversification and improving productivity on farms.

In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

The show is presented by Rory Hutchings and James Frankland, both Partners in HCR Law's Agriculture and Estates team. If you've got a query about agricultural law, our team is always happy to help.

https://www.hcrlaw.com/sector/agriculture-environment-and-estates/

In the first episode of Created IP, we dive deep into the world of intellectual property (IP) rights and explore the question of ownership.

We cover the different types of intellectual property, the importance of contracts, and practical tips for protecting your creative and business assets.

Key Topics Covered:

1. What is Intellectual Property (IP)?

1. Who Owns Intellectual Property?

1. Common Ownership Scenarios

1. Why Ownership Matters

Connect With Us:

• Website: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/commercial/intellectual-property-protection/

• Social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hcrlaw/

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues who might benefit from understanding IP rights better. And remember to tune in next month for another insightful discussion!

In this special end-of-series episode, the tables turn: Bryn Thomas, Partner in our Agriculture and Estates team and working farmer, interviews Rory Hutchings, Head of Team and usual host, about our new report: Food for Thought – Shaping sustainable farming futures.

With global events putting supply chains under fresh strain, Rory explains why the report argues British food production has become a matter of national resilience, not convenience – and why food security needs to sit much closer to the heart of policy and investment decisions.

Bryn and Rory discuss the ‘death by a thousand cuts’ many UK farmers are currently experiencing – from policy instability and tax uncertainty to planning friction and regulatory burden – and what that does to confidence, succession and the future pipeline of people coming into farming.

Their conversation draws on insights from report contributors, including Stephen Jacob (labour and skills), Aled Jones (farming’s cultural and economic value), Abi Reader (food production and government policy), Johnny Wake (the lived reality of planning hurdles) and Rory Christie (risk and power imbalance in supply chain contracts).

Download your copy of Food for Thought here: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/agriculture-and-estates/food-for-thought-shaping-sustainable-farming-futures/

Talk Farm is HCR’s Agriculture and Estates podcast. It’s rooted in thought leadership and focused on the real-world impacts of change in the rural sector, with practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

Find out more about our Agriculture team and get in touch here: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/agriculture-and-estates/

Following International Women’s Day, this episode of Family Matters focuses on an aspect of women’s health that is increasingly discussed, but still widely misunderstood: menopause.

Hannah Nicholls and Amy Walpole are joined by Zoe Lapwood, a registered nurse with over 10 years’ experience specialising in women’s health and a nurse adviser for a national women’s health charity.

The episode explores what menopause and perimenopause are, highlighting the many physical, emotional and psychological symptoms women can experience, often years before menopause itself. Zoe discusses how these changes can affect confidence, communication, intimacy and decision‑making, and how this can place additional strain on relationships, particularly at times of separation or divorce.

The conversation also addresses common myths around menopause, the importance of shifting from seeking a “cure” to effective management, and why awareness and empathy from partners and professionals can make a meaningful difference to women navigating this stage of life.

Connect with Zoe here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-lapwood-80b6a7260/

Contact our family team here: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/family-law/

Family businesses are subject to unique pressures, from succession and generational tension to questions about roles, entitlement and leadership.

In this exclusive podcast episode, Peter Brewer, Partner in our Dispute Resolution team, speaks with family business adviser George Bryan to explore how these challenges can escalate into disputes – and how the right structures can reduce this risk.

Together, they discuss the practical steps family-owned businesses can take to protect relationships, value and long term business continuity, with George sharing insight from more than 30 years in his own multigenerational family business, Drayton Manor.

They also cover:

• How succession and family expectations shape conflict

• How family constitutions and shareholders’ agreements can prevent future disputes

• When to professionalise management and bring in external expertise

• The impact of skills gaps and overlooked development opportunities.

To learn more about how our Dispute Resolution team supports family owned businesses, visit the HCR Law website. You can find out more about George’s advisory work and get in touch with him on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Rory Hutchings, Partner and Head of our Agriculture and Estates team, sits down with Robyn Sermon, CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia, Dr Bernard Moonga from the University of Zambia and President of the Agriculture and Commercial Show Society of Zambia and Will Prichard, Welsh farmer and owner of Natural Wagyu, to explore what the digitalisation of agriculture means for farmers worldwide.

They discuss how digital tools are already boosting efficiency, productivity and yields and how AI, autonomous machinery and data‑driven decision‑making are reshaping day‑to‑day farming across continents.

The panel also address the realities on the ground, including the cost of adopting agriculture technology and the risk of pricing out smaller farms, the skills gap, data‑ownership concerns and the practical challenges of implementing new systems for farmers.

They also discuss:

• How social media and digital storytelling are shifting perceptions of farming careers

• Whether the UK is falling behind on tech adoption

• Why understanding the commercial value of technology is essential before investing

• How collaboration, education and hands‑on support can help farmers decide when and how to embrace innovation.

Drawing on perspectives from Wales, Western Australia and Zambia, Rory and the panel share real‑world insight into how technology is reshaping agriculture today.

Talk Farm highlights the challenges and opportunities shaping rural life in the UK. Each episode offers expert industry commentary and practical guidance for those navigating the issues facing agriculture and landed estates.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

This episode was produced in collaboration with the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth. Find out more about HCR Law's services for Agriculture and Estates here.

In this episode, James Frankland, Partner in our Agriculture and Estates team, sits down with Lisa Millington, Head of Agricultural Private Client, to give you the latest update on the rollercoaster that has been Inheritance Tax reforms for farmers and rural business owners.

James and Lisa begin with the Autumn 2025 budget, unpacking how Rachel Reeves’ announcement lived up to the hopes and fears of the farming community, and in particular the announcement that the relief allowance would be transferrable between spouses after all.

They then move on to the pre-Christmas U-turn, which saw the shock announcement that the £1 million Agricultural and Business Property Relief allowance would be uplifted from £1 million to £2.5 million, creating a potential £5 million relief for married couples.

This shift opens up meaningful estate planning opportunities, particularly for younger farming families looking ahead to future lifetime gifts. They explain how HMRC’s emphasis on “unused” relief interacts with existing spousal exemptions, and what that means in practice.

• Why the change represents a huge improvement — but not a complete solution
• How the U-turn may have been influenced by the Farm Profitability Review
• The types of farming businesses that benefit most (and those still left exposed)
• Real‑world examples of how clients’ inheritance tax positions are shifting
• Why this is about supporting businesses as well as farms

Looking ahead, James and Lisa outline the steps farmers can still take before the rules come into force in April, reflect on rumours of possible delays, and clarify whether existing planning is now redundant (spoiler: it isn’t). They share practical actions — from reviewing structures to considering trusts — and discuss what we may expect from HMRC as implementation unfolds.

Talk Farm highlights the challenges and opportunities shaping rural life in the UK. Each episode offers expert industry commentary and practical guidance for those navigating the issues facing agriculture and landed estates today.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Find out more about HCR Law's services for Agriculture and Estates here.