Farming Today

Should people whose dogs repeatedly attack livestock face a prison sentence? The NFU in Scotland says they should, and they should also pay compensation to farmers. It's backing a proposed private members bill from the MSP Emma Harper which aims to toughen the penalties for livestock worrying. African Swine Fever is slowly spreading in Europe and the National Pig Association says sniffer dogs should be used to hunt for imported pork products crossing our borders. And we visit a lab where scientists are producing 3D images of crop roots to see which ones could be more drought tolerant. Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced by Heather Simons

Attempts are being made to prevent Sea Eagles in Scotland from predating on lambs which costs farmers, but Duncan Orr-Ewing from RSPB Scotland tells Charlotte Smith that the situation is complicated and there is no one solution that fits every farm. Kit Franklin from Hands Free Hectare tells Charlotte about how they plan to become a Hands Free Farm. In Farming Today's water week Heather Simons has been to meet soft-fruit grower Anthony Snell to find out how he irrigates his crops and why despite having an environmental benefit, getting a new reservoir built presents challenges of its own. Producer: Toby Field

We hear how pressure on water supplies is affecting farms and wildlife in conservation areas of the Norfolk Broads. MPs are investigating Natural England's decision to revoke general shooting licences which give permission for the control of birds regarded as pests. Fish in the River Severn in Gloucestershire are being tagged as part of the Canal and River Trust's project which aims to boost species in the river. Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The Soil Association is asking for a meat-free, plant-based meal to be made mandatory in schools one day a week. Anna Hill asks their Chief Executive Helen Browning whether the mixed response to this idea means the campaign has back-fired. Jeremy Leggett from the organisation ACRE, which campaigns on behalf of rural communities, tells Anna why further closure of rural Post Offices could have a large impact on the communities they serve. Nancy Nicolson's been to a farming conference in Galloway to find out how some farmers are embracing ethical farming. For water week Anna's been to meet David Hoyles who farms in the Fens. Faced with the challenges of salinity and low-lying land water management is a top priority. Producer: Toby Field

Researchers at the University of Sheffield say crops planted in polyurethane foams in polytunnels grow between two and ten times faster than plants grown in soil. Harry Wright tells Charlotte Smith that they've been trialling growing some crops and green leaves. and that it may be commercially available soon. On World Bee Day new figures from a WWF/Buglife study suggest some species are on the brink of extinction. Fanny Calder tells Charlotte what needs to be done to arrest this pattern. All this week Farming Today is looking at water and farming. The Environment Agency has downgraded irrigation prospects in the East of the country to "Poor", and Nicola Dunn from the Agricultural and Horticulture Development Board says that there are a range of measures farmers can take to conserve and harness water for their crops. Producer: Toby Field