Farming Today

• 26/07/2024: Illegal fishing in Wales; sheep shearing; robot dog

  <p>Angling groups have warned that illegal fishing is an "out of control" problem on rivers in Wales with serious impacts for endangered species like salmon, and physical danger for anglers.</p><p>Mobile sheep shearers are hard at work on a farm near Edinburgh, before the head woman Una Cameron tries to break the world record for shearing in a few weeks' time.</p><p>A Cumbrian flower nursery specialises in wildflowers, and growing them can be a far more complex business than garden varieties.</p><p>And the farm dog with a difference - it’s a robot! </p><p>Presented by Caz Graham</p><p>Produced by Alun Beach</p>

• 25/07/24 - The Royal Welsh Show 2024

  <p>This programme comes from the 120th Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells. 250,000 people are expected to attend across 4 days, with 7000 livestock entries.</p><p>It comes during an eventful week in Welsh politics, with the Cabinet Secretary of Climate Change and Rural Affairs in the Welsh Government set to become the new Deputy First Minister. So what does it all mean for future farming policy?</p><p>Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced by Heather Simons</p>

• 24/07/2024: NAO report into farming; A tree nursery; Insect study

  <p>A report by the National Audit Office into farming published today shows much room for improvement.</p><p>A tree nursery in Fife has been working hard to become better for the environment, and is now pushing to become carbon-negative. </p><p>The longest running scientific study into the impact of cereal farming on invertebrates, the Sussex Study which is run by the Game and Conservation Trust, has just published a new paper analysing 50 years’ worth of data.</p><p>Presented by Caz Graham</p><p>Produced by Alun Beach</p>

• 23/07/2024: Agriculture budget; Scottish national park; Rural crime; Horticulture

  <p>Three conservation groups say farming budgets need to rise substantially to meet legally binding targets on nature and climate.</p><p>Scotland is to have a new national park and Galloway, in the south west of the country, has been chosen as the preferred location. Not everyone is happy, a local farmer gives his views.</p><p>Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed it will switch officers from their rural crime team to other roles for the next few months because staffing is so stretched.</p><p>UK households spent around £8 billion pounds on gardening products last year according to the Horticulture Trades Association, which is complaining border delays are hitting its industry hard.</p><p>Presented by Caz Graham</p><p>Produced by Alun Beach</p>

• 22/07/2024: Flooding, Nurseries, Farm safety

  <p>New figures out today confirm that farming is the most dangerous job in the UK, the Health and Safety Executive says 35 people lost their lives on farms last year.</p><p>A Kent nursery which imports more than £3 million worth of plants a year has built a control point on its premises to help it save money on post Brexit checks on the UK border.</p><p>And there were a record number of flood warnings for England's best farmland last winter, according to analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit. The ECIU warns that climate change 'presents a systemic risk to our best farmland, and therefore our food security.'</p><p>Presented by Charlotte Smith</p><p>Produced by Alun Beach</p>

• 20/07/24 - Farming Today This Week: Housebuilding, solar farms and Welsh farm policy

  <p>What will this week's announcement by the Government on changes to the rules on planning permission for large scale housing projects and for solar farms on agricultural land mean for the countryside?</p><p>The Welsh minister in charge of policy on climate change and rural affairs has drawn up new payment schemes for farmers to apply for as the EU's Common Agricultural Policy is replaced.</p><p>And one of the country’s large dairy processors is ending contracts with many smaller farms because it says they don’t supply enough milk and there are welfare and sustainability concerns.</p><p>A BBC Audio Bristol production presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Heather Simons</p>

• 19/07/2024: Seasonal Workers Visa Review; Cricket Bat Willow: Organic Farming Pressures

  <p>Examining the findings of seasonal workers visa review and the potential impact of any scaling back of the scheme on food security.</p><p> As more people across the world take up cricket Marie Lennon investigates the demand for bats is having on willow production.</p><p>And reporter Sarah Swadling meets an accountant turned organic farmer who says the weather this spring has made her consider throwing in the towel.</p><p>Presented by Charlotte Smith</p><p>Produced by Tory Pope</p>

• 18/07/2024: Dairy, Kings Speech, EV range anxiety

  <p>One of the country’s large dairy processors is ending contracts with many smaller farms because it says they don’t supply enough milk and because of welfare and sustainability concerns.</p><p>What will the announcement by the government on changes to the rules on planning permission on large scale projects in housing and for solar panel farms mean for the countryside.</p><p>And range anxiety for electric vehicle drivers searching for charging points in rural areas.</p><p>Presented by Charlotte Smith</p><p>Produced by Alun Beach</p>

• 17/07/2024: Welsh farm payments, Rural doctors, Health drones

  <p>The Welsh minister in charge of policy for climate change and rural affairs has drawn up the preparatory offer to farmers for the replacement to the EU payments scheme.</p><p>Getting an appointment with a doctor when you live in a rural area presents challenges, one GP surgery outlines how it deals with the issue.</p><p>And could drones help with some aspects of health delivery in remote areas? It's something being tried out in Wales.</p><p>Presented by Anna Hill</p><p>Produced by Alun Beach</p>

• 16/07/2024: Climate change; Rural housing; Moorland learning

  <p>A climate change think-tank is urging the new government to enable farmers and landowners to pick up the pace to meet net zero emission targets.</p><p>People living in a Gloucestershire village who have been campaigning against house building, have formed a Community Land Trust to plan and propose new developments that they do want to see - smaller homes for housing association tenants. </p><p>And urban school children have been learning about life and work in remote stretches of moorland in County Durham.</p><p>Presented by Anna Hill</p><p>Produced by Alun Beach</p>