Farming Today

The meat industry say increased charges for Food Standards Agency staff such as abattoir vets and inspectors could threaten some operations. New charges come into force at the end of this month, and the hourly rate for some services will be more than 20% higher. The Food Standards Agency says a global vet shortage means it is having to pay more to recruit and retain them, and there are other inflationary pressures across the sector. We speak to the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers.
Food producers, manufacturers, importers and exporters are all being asked to get prepared early for the new trading system under the EU/UK Trade Agreement, which is expected to come in next year. The new agreement will include a relaxation of the food biosecurity paperwork, known as SPS or Sanitary and Phytosanitary rules. The International Chambers of Commerce say this is good news.
And trade disruption caused by the war in the Middle East has pushed oil and fertiliser prices up. Farmers here are worried there could be shortages of imported fertiliser. With this in mind, some farmers are looking at ways of mitigating the situation. David Morgan keeps a large herd of beef cattle at Peterchurch in Herefordshire’s Golden Valley. He’s invested in slurry separating equipment to help produce better home grown fertiliser.
Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

The Government's decision to ban lead shot from 2028 will impact the ability to control deer numbers - that's according to the British Association for Shooting and Conservation which says that the new legislation, which will cover England, Scotland and Wales, will ban the ammunition used by many deer stalkers. Last month the Government released its 10 year English deer strategy, which estimated that one-third of England's woodlands are damaged by deer, with urgent action needed to protect trees and wildlife.
A new loom is being built for a woolen mill in Wales which closed down 50 years ago. Cambrian Mill is in an area once known as the 'Huddersfield of Wales' as it was so important to wool production, and when it closed down it became the National Wool Museum which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Farmers use a variety of things to add nutrients to soil and plants to improve the quality and quantity of crops, from organic fertilisers like manure and compost to sewage sludge and man made fertilisers like liquid nitrogen. We're talking about all of them this week, as well as their impact on the environment.
Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The first UK trial of a vaccine for avian flu has started. Bird flu costs the government an average of £174 million every year and there have been 95 outbreaks in the UK since last autumn. Other countries have used vaccination to try to control the disease: five vaccines are licensed for use in the European Union, but not in the UK. The new trial will see 1000 turkeys vaccinated and, if successful, the vaccine may be rolled out to turkeys and ducks. The cost of the vaccine and the surveillance testing afterwards however, means chickens won't be included.
As the impact of the war in the Middle East is felt on world markets, there are concerns about the cost and availability of fuel and fertilizer. This time of the year, when spring planting is underway, both are in high demand. We hear from manufacturers and suppliers about the effect.
Land and its uses is seen as the answer to some of the big questions faced by society: cutting greenhouse gas emissions by generating renewable energy; building new homes to ease the housing crisis; making space for nature to halt the collapse of wildlife numbers; and farming to feed the nation. However land is a finite resource, so the debate over which land should be used for what purpose is becoming increasingly charged.
The Calver family in Somerset installed a cheddar turning robot in their cheese cave 10 years ago. It was a world's first and we made a programme about it. We revisit the farm where the robot is still going strong and the family are now making ricotta, mozzarella and raw milk cheddar as well.
Presenter = Charlotte Smith
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

British chickens are unlikely to be vaccinated against bird flu because of the cost and concerns about trade. The first UK trial of an avian flu vaccine is underway on 1,000 turkeys and if it's successful the vaccine may be rolled out to them and to ducks. But the British Poultry Council says that given the cost of the vaccine and the surveillance testing afterwards chickens won't be included.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise farming - but how? trials are underway all over the country looking at everything, from soil to bees.
Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The government's launching its first field trial of a bird flu vaccine, in turkeys in England. The poultry industry has been calling for an avian flu vaccine, which could protect millions of birds against the disease. Five veterinary vaccines are approved for use across the European Union, but they haven't been approved in the UK. We speak to the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer about how the trial will work
As the impact of the war in the Middle East starts to be felt on world markets, groups in the UK who buy fertiliser and fuel for farmers, are fielding calls from farmers worried about price rises. This time of the year, when spring planting is underway, both fertiliser and fuel are in high demand.
All week we're talking about land use, and the many demands that are being put on farm land, from growing food, to producing green energy, mitigating climate change and managing water. We talk to the people who are going to be affected by plans for a big reservoir in South Oxfordshire.
Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney