Jeremy Clarkson has warned of a growing confidence crisis across the farming sector and called on farmers to use next year’s grain events as an opportunity to unite and push back, accusing the government of being “actively anti-farmer”.
In a recent episode of the Serial Podcast, recorded ahead of the event’s move to Diddley Squat Farm in June 2026, Mr Clarkson said the pressure on farmers had reached breaking point, but insisted he had no intention of quitting farming despite the challenges facing the industry.
“It’s hell right now for farmers. An aggressively anti-farming government is making things very difficult for all of us,” he said. “I’m really angry because there’s not a single person in the government who understands agriculture.”
Approximately 25,000 farmers, contractors and agronomists are expected to attend the serial event, which will be held on June 10th and 11th, along with more than 550 exhibitors.
Mr Clarkson said the rally came at a pivotal time for the sector, arguing that policy uncertainty and rising costs were undermining farmers’ confidence in investing and planning for the future.
“We have to come together and do something against this government,” he said. “That’s why I’m looking forward to Cereals where we can share ideas. It’s so important to have events like Cereals where we can get together and chat.”
Charlie Ireland, who appeared on the podcast with Mr Clarkson, said the lack of confidence extends beyond agriculture and is affecting a wider range of businesses. He said the ability to make proactive decisions was being undermined by uncertainty, but argued that by bringing people together, that trend could be reversed.
“We believe cereals are an opportunity to inject some vibrancy and fun into this sector,” Ireland said, adding that collaboration between farmers is becoming increasingly important as risk levels increase.
Mr Clarkson also reflected on the challenges facing Diddley Squat Farm, citing increasingly erratic weather and unstable harvests. “The last five years have been really crazy. The weather has gone from extreme to extreme,” he said, noting that the only bumper crop the farm has had in recent years was one season when filming was suspended.
Beyond economics and policy, Clarkson said he hopes the event will help address the sense of isolation many farmers are feeling. He said farming was a lonely and stressful profession, especially for those facing losses as they tried to plan for the next season without certainty of income or support.
Clarkson acknowledged that he could step back from the industry if he wished, but said he remains dedicated. “I’m very lucky because I’m surrounded by people all day long. Realistically, I could just walk away,” he said. “But I’m not leaving.”
The government has previously said its agricultural policy aims to balance food production with environmental sustainability and long-term resilience, but critics claim this approach is putting a strain on many farming operations.
The 2026 serial event will include programs focused on agronomy, crop protection, regenerative agriculture, animal husbandry and young farmers, as well as live demonstrations and networking opportunities. Organizers say the aim is to provide a practical forum to share ideas and rebuild trust within the industry.
They hope the event will provide more than just a showcase for farmers, and act as a space to reframe, collaborate and shape a collective response to the challenges facing UK agriculture.
