With tens of thousands of followers, the online community is a powerful part of the campaign against government tax policy

When farmers take to the streets of London on Tuesday, the National Farmers’ Union’s (NFU) day of action is likely to be eclipsed by a separate rally in Westminster.

While 1,800 farmers go to Parliament to lobby MPs in set-piece events, tens of thousands more will gather near Downing Street, marshalled by a new breed of farming influencers who have used their social media clout to turn rural discontent into urban action.