Farming Today

Whilst the cost of producing a crop is up, particularly the cost of fuel and fertiliser, the price paid for it hasn't risen by anything like as much. If the situation stays the same by the autumn some farmers may decide not to grow loss-making crops, leaving fields lying fallow. There are calls for the Government to fund a one-off a scheme to protect this land from soil erosion by planting cover crops, and these could also reduce the use of fertiliser. The idea comes from the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, the professional body for farm valuers and advisors.
Thatching is becoming more of a challenge due to issues with some of the materials. Supplies of the right sort of wheat straw can be unpredictable. And, Hazel spars used to attach the thatch to the roof now have to be imported from Eastern Europe. To kick start interest in growing more locally a ‘summit’ of thatchers, farmers and plant scientists was held this week in Suffolk.
We visit a field trial of a gene edited Barley which contains higher levels of fat. Scientists believe this will make it a more efficient livestock feed, and could also reduce methane emissions by making it more digestible.
Presenter: Charlotte Smith
Producer: Sarah Swadling

A new report warns that UK farming's reliance on imported fertiliser and minerals, puts it at risk in times of geopolitical stress. Analysis, published by the National Preparedness Commission, highlights the fragility of global supply chains on which UK agriculture depends.
All week we've been looking at ideas for cutting emissions on the farm. Today we join Stuart Oates, a 7th generation farmer on The Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. He set himself a long term aim: to remove single-use plastics on the farm and end his family’s reliance on fossil fuels.  Towards that goal, he’s taken up a Nuffield scholarship, travelling the world to see if the UK can learn from innovations elsewhere, to reduce emissions.  We also hear from an organisation which helps farmers recycle their plastic waste.
Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

A new trial is starting this summer, as part of the third phase of a programme to develop a vaccine for people against bird flu. 3000 volunteers are needed from the UK to take part, and 1000 in the USA. Researchers at the National Institute for Health and Care Research are hoping that poultry workers might take part.
Fuel and fertiliser costs are soaring because of disruption caused by the war in the Middle East. That's having a big impact on farmers and it's also putting pressure on food prices as MPs on the Environment Food and Rural Affairs select committee have been hearing. They were told that food prices were 40% higher than before Covid and that the food supply chain needed urgent government support with fuel costs.
All week we're hearing how farming is trying to cut down on the damaging emissions it can cause. One of the biggest growers in the Vale of Evesham in Worcestershire says it’s making its crop-growing more environmentally friendly by developing a giant one hectare high-tech greenhouse. The company says it’s drastically reduced crop spoilage, fertiliser and water use, while also making the UK less reliant on imports.
Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

The pig industry has published a new environmental roadmap to help the sector produce pork more sustainably. It's being led by the AHDB and will focus on things like reducing carbon, improving air quality, managing nutrients and waste and using on-farm energy.
All this week we're looking at reducing emissions from farming - one poultry farmer in South Shropshire is trying out biochar, a type of charcoal, to help tackle the ammonia from chicken muck.
White Park Cattle are an iconic native breed here in the UK, dating back to Roman Times. They're very distinctive, with white coats, black ears and noses. Their falling numbers back in the early 1970's was the start of the establishment of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust or RBST. Today the RBST has placed the breed on to the Most Urgent category of its Watch list, after a 36 percent fall in the number of calves registered since 2022. We visit one of the few remaining herds in Wales.
Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

The Ulster Farmers Union is calling for government help for farmers, because of the impact of the war in Iran on fuel and fertiliser prices. Amongst other things it suggests a one-off fertiliser support scheme and transparency in pricing. But a group of global sustainability experts says this is the moment that food systems should end what they call a dependence on synthetic fertilisers. As we've been reporting, the spike in energy prices because of the conflict in the Middle East has meant a spike in fertiliser prices. On top of that, a significant proportion of the world's fertiliser supplies also travels (or not) through the Strait of Hormuz.
This week we're focussing on farmers' innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We begin with a look at the scale of the challenge.
Scientists at Kew are using techniques associated with archaeological digs to test where soybeans have been grown. They hope it could help cut tropical deforestation associated with soybean production.
Presenter: Charlotte Smith
Producer: Sarah Swadling