Farming Today

The future is uncertain for the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme - which funds projects like nature recovery, historic building maintenance and community projects. The deadline for applications for the original scheme is in March next year, and as that time gets closer, people are worrying about what comes next. DEFRA have told us, “Decisions on the future of the scheme have not yet been made,” but says there will be an update “in due course”.Back in 2021, we reported on an ambitious project to create a collection of different tweeds representing each of the major Lake District Valleys. They’d be woven from wool provided by sheep farmers in those valleys, who’d be paid a premium. The idea was not only produce some beautiful fabrics but also raise the profile of wool as valuable product in its own right, not just as a by product of meat. Now they've been completed, and we've been along to take a look.The Government is buying more than 5 million doses of a vaccine to protect against bird flu spreading in humans. The H5N1 flu virus has killed millions of birds across the world over the last few years, and in the USA it has been passed onto dairy cows and some people. At the moment, the Government says there is no evidence of the virus being spread from human to human. These vaccines would only be used if the virus did start passing between humans.And recruiting farm workers has become more difficult in recent years, with Brexit, an aging demographic and competition from other industries all contributing to the problem. We find out how The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture is offering advice and training to try to make the farming industry more attractive to new recruits. Presented by Caz Graham Produced by Heather Simons

An investigation by BBC Northern Ireland’s Spotlight programme has found that untreated sewage is spilling into Belfast Lough from the Government owned company, Northern Ireland water. That’s having a devastating impact on those who use the lough, particularly its shellfish industry.The Office for Environmental Protection has said it believes DEFRA may have broken environmental laws when allowing the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, in 2023 and 2024. Neonic seed treatments were banned because they are harmful to bees...but the Government has issued emergency authorisation allowing their use on sugar beet, for the last 4 years.A daily on-farm test for milk safety is being trialled by six dairy farms selling unpasteurised, or raw milk, direct to consumers. Un-pasteurised milk can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning... At the moment, raw milk is tested, but often the results aren't available until AFTER it's been sold and drunk. We visit one of the farms involved in the trial.And not all the people who work in food and farming are farmers... As part of our focus on labour in the food supply chain, we meet members of the "Young Women in Poultry Production" group.Presented by Anna Hill Produced by Rebecca Rooney

Arla, the farmer run dairy cooperative plans to reduce its emissions by 30% per kilo of milk by 2030. They’ve just started trials using a dietary supplement called Bovaer which is added to cow’s feed to reduce methane emissions. The trial involves around 30 farmers and 3 supermarkets who buy their milk. However, even though the feed supplement has been approved by UK and European food safety bodies there’s been a social media storm of protest, some people calling for the boycott of Arla products because they don’t think it should be used. Some other milk suppliers have been guaranteeing they don’t use it. We ask a dairy analyst what all the fuss is about.We’re talking agricultural labour all this week on Farming Today. Horticulture relies heavily on the Government’s Seasonal Worker Scheme which means it can recruit overseas workers on short term contracts. We ask British Growers how well the current scheme's working for fruit and veg producers.Tenant farmers in East Yorkshire say they could be facing eviction to make way for a large solar farm. The BBC has been told that at least eight farms that lease land from The Dalton Estate, north of Beverley, had been notified of the proposals. Farmers said the solar project could cover at least four square miles and would be a "bombshell" to families who've farmed in the area for generations. Presenter = Caz Graham Producer = Rebecca Rooney

The Government 'risks creating a culture of fear and resistance' amongst farmers, according to the Nature Friendly Farmers Network. It's highlighting the suspension of grants which help farmers in England invest in infrastructure to improve the environment. That's things like better slurry storage to protect waterways or planting hedges to reduce soil erosion. Defra says the Capital Grants Scheme has been temporarily closed after unprecedented demand.Farmers and crofters held a rally to lobby the Scottish Government ahead of next week's Scottish budget. They want more money for agriculture, and a guarantee that it's ringfenced.The Welsh Government has backed down on its policy to insist farmers put 10% of their land into woodland. The decision came after farmers demonstrated against the Government's plans for its Sustainable Farming Scheme, which replaces the payments to farmers under the old EU Common Agricultural Policy. All week on Farming Today we've been digging into winter veg. Parsnips, carrots and sprouts are all firm favourites but today we visit a farm growing a relative newcomer, tenderstem broccoli. For farmers who grow it, it's labour intensive but high value.And we hear how Ivor, a detection dog, is sniffing out disease in trees. It’s hoped Ivor and other sniffer dogs could play a key role in maintaining UK biosecurity and reduce the threat of serious pests and diseases that damage woodlands and commercial forestry. Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.