Farming Today

Pig farmers say they're losing thousands of pounds a week as prices fall, but costs, particularly of feed, are rising. Processors have given notice to some farmers, saying they no longer want to buy their pigs. The National Pig Association is warning an oversupply this autumn could push prices down further.
All this week we'll be looking at the hedges, fences and dry stone walls that mark out fields and how they've shaped the farming landscape. In some parts of England and Wales, including in cities, communities come together every few years to mark their parish boundaries in what's known as the beating of the bounds.
It's party conference season, so as part of our look at the food, farming and environmental policies that political parties around the UK are offering, we hear from the Green MP Adrian Ramsay.
Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

An anonymous group of senior executives from retailers and food suppliers is warning that 'short term thinking' in the industry is driving up food prices and that farmers are being left to face the financial risks of an increasingly umpredictable supply chain.
Diesel prices hit an all time high this week, with drivers paying almost £2 a litre, according to the RAC. The conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt supplies of fuel, pushing up prices. Farmers don’t get their fuel from filling stations, they buy it in bulk and use what’s called “red diesel” - it’s dyed red and is much cheaper - with less fuel duty to pay because it’s only for use in off-road machinery. However, industry surveys estimate farmers are paying an average of 40% more for their red diesel than this time last year.
The new president of the British Veterinary Association is calling for more resilience against disease outbreaks. As the UK battles a huge outbreak of the livestock disease Bluetongue, Dr Gwen Rees says as a profession, vets need to make sure they are ready to act.
Apprenticeships are a popular route into agricultural careers, especially for students from farming families who are needed to work in the family business but also need to develop their knowledge and skills.
FarmED in the Cotswolds is a demonstration farm experimenting with different crops, techniques and rotations. It wants people to explore how we can produce enough food, while restoring nature, adapting to climate change and keeping farmers in business.
Knitters from around the world have flocked to Shetland for a celebration of wool, knitting and textiles. The star of the show: the Island's unique Shetland sheep.
Presenter = Charlotte Smith
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

An anonymous group of senior executives from retailers and food suppliers is warning that 'short term thinking' in the industry is driving up food prices and that farmers are being left to face the financial risks of an increasingly unpredictable supply chain.
This week we’re talking about how young people can find a career in agriculture, and the apprenticeship route is a popular one, especially for students from family farms who are needed to work at home to keep the farm going but also need and want to develop their knowledge and skills.
The Plaid Cymru conference starts in Llandudno today, the party has been in power in Wales since the Senedd elections in May. In the latest of our interviews on the farming, food and environmental policies the political parties around the UK are offering, we hear from Plaid MSP and Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, LLyr Griffith.
Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Diesel prices hit an all time high this week, with drivers paying almost £2 a litre, according to the RAC. The conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt supplies of fuel, pushing up prices. Farmers don’t get their fuel from filling stations, they buy it in bulk and use what’s called “red diesel” - it’s dyed red and is much cheaper - with less fuel duty to pay because it’s only for use in off-road machinery. Industry surveys estimate farmers are paying an average of around one pound 18 pence per litre - 20p more than in July, a rise of more than 40% on this time last year.
The Labour party conference has come to an end. The headlines were full of big announcements on the National Care Service and reforming the pensions triple lock.
The DEFRA Secretary of State, Angela Eagle, gave a speech. She didn't talk about agri-environment schemes and the Sustainable Farming Incentive, but she did talk about food security and the impact climate change is having on farmers.
All week we’re talking about how young people can get into farming, through education, farm placements, apprenticeships and for some, through sheer determination! 23 year-old Nikita Fineran from the Isle of Wight fits into that bracket. Her goal is to have a farm of her own one day where she can breed sheepdogs.
Earthworms are an indicator of soil health - but how can a farmer know whether worms are in the soil without digging a hole in a field? Well, apparently….by listening to them. Scientists are using bio-acoustics to record the sounds of invertebrates under ground. They're deploying AI to analyse what different creatures sound like and help farmers work out what's beneath their feet.
Presenter = Caz Graham
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

New research shows that improving the nitrogen-cycle in the soil can significantly reduce emissions. The study took in evidence from around the world - the international research team analysed 2,235 comparisons from 210 experimental sites. We speak to one of the report's authors Professor Simon Willcock director of sustainable farming systems at the University of Reading.
A project in Cardiff has been helping low income households buy organic fruit and veg. Around 120 shoppers received a Planet Card - which gave them £11 a week to spend with organic veg producers. The pilot scheme cost around £19,000 and was funded by an alliance of charities and not-for-profit organisations - led by Food Sense Wales and Sustain.
All week we've been exploring the different ways young people can get into farming. For those who want to take up a degree in agriculture it can be daunting to find the right route, especially if you're not from a farming background. The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association has linked up with the John Innes Foundation bursary award, to give students a helping hand to take up agriculture at degree level; not only funding 50% of tutition fees, but also contributing to rent and living expenses.
Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney