Farming Today

July is on course to be the driest in Wales for almost 190 years. It means that North Wales and the Upper Severn catchment are the first areas in the UK to be declared officially in drought, this year. So far this month they've seen less than two per cent of the usual rainfall. Natural Resources Wales says river levels are approaching all time lows after a series of back-to-back heatwaves, with impacts on wildlife and soil.
In South East England, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have been moved into 'prolonged dry weather' status which is one step away from drought. That won't be news to farmers and growers in the area where some veg businesses are already investing to adapt to the 'new normal'. Barfoots grow broccoli and sweetcorn, amongst a long list of crops, for the supermarkets. The company's spent a million pounds on a new reservoir, at its farm near Chichester, which holds 28 million gallons of rain water supplemented by recycled treated water from their factory. Barfoots Commercial Director tells us the company is looking at building more reservoirs to store winter rainfall, to use in increasingly hot and dry summers.
Farmers have a crucial role in cleaning up one of the UK's most polluted river systems and could save themselves money in the process, according to a new study. The eastern and western Cleddau rivers in Pembrokeshire flow through farmland which produces as much as 25% of Wales' milk. Researchers from Lancaster University found the area's farms were buying in more fertiliser and processed animal feed than needed, causing a build-up of phosphorus in the soil and polluting waterways. Now dairy farmers are working out their "nutrient footprint" to help tackle the problem.
Presenter: Charlotte Smith
Producer: Sarah Swadling

Charlotte Smith is at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in Builth Wells. She meets the Welsh Government's Cabinet Member for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, Llyr Gruffydd, who explains how he's aiming to make Wales' new farming support scheme better for farmers - but is there enough funding? We also hear about why professional shearers are so important, and check out the Sheep Village, which is new this year.
Produced by Sally Challoner.

British Sugar's factory at Cantley in the Norfolk Broads is to close, in February next year. Hundreds of farmers will now have to transport their crop much further afield for processing. The Cantley factory has been operating for more than a century, and currently processes about 120,000 tonnes of sugar every year, from beet grown by local farmers. It employs just over 100 staff.
As prime minister Andy Burnham's new cabinet members settle into their new jobs, the Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Angela Eagle, will feel quite at home. She was Farming Minister at Defra up until six weeks ago when she was transferred briefly to security - but now she's back, and promoted to Secretary of State.
This year's harvest is really 'everything, everywhere, all at once' and it's causing a logistical nightmare. Barley, oil seed rape and wheat are being harvested at the same time - and that's putting pressure on the lorries needed to get it to storage. We also hear from farmers who've been affected by big fires on their land, and how farming neighbours have played an essential role in bringing the fires under control.
All this week we're taking a closer look at Welsh Agricultural Policy. Agriculture is devolved, so it's up to each of the four nations to decide on their own post-Brexit subsidy policy. In Wales, farmers are paid under the Sustainable Farming Scheme, to bring in conservation practices alongside food production. We speak to a hill farmer to find out what's in it for her.
Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Farming has one of the worst fatality rates of any industry sector in the UK and new research suggests the true number of health and safety incidents on farm is even higher than reported. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) says 30% of farmers wouldn't log an incident because they fear inspections or legal consequences, and 34% think near misses aren't serious enough to report.
The National Drought Group, which includes government agencies, water companies, conservation groups and farming representatives publishes a new report for England today. Last week the Environment Agency said England was NOT in drought, although the South West, parts of Southern England, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire were experiencing 'prolonged dry weather' and river flows aross the country were below normal or exceptionally low. The hot dry weather is affecting the potato crop and growers in Cornwall fear their harvest could fail if the heatwave continues.
The Welsh government is announcing a new food strategy at the Royal Welsh Show, and all week we're looking at agricultural policy in Wales. One of the biggest changes has been the re-launch of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, or SFS, the income support programme which replaces the Common Agricultural Policy, including the Basic Payment Scheme. We visit a farm in Brecon to find out what farmers think of the latest version of the Welsh scheme.
We hear from a volunteer who's been leading walks in the Lake District National park for six decades - Ron Wood's 78 and has no plans to stop.
Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Heatwave conditions are particularly testing for dairy cows, and dairy farmers. Figures from the industry body, the AHDB, showed a 34 million litre reduction in milk arriving at British processors in June this year, compared to the same time last year, with the record temperatures the main cause. The UK is not alone, drops in milk production in Germany and France are bringing one small glimmer of hope. There are signs that the long slump in prices brought about by a global oversupply is starting to reverse.
Andy Burnham moves into 10 Downing Street today, as he becomes the UK's 59th Prime Minister, the seventh in ten years. The relationship between Sir Keir Starmer's government and the farming community soured over Inheritance Tax, and England's stop-start sustainable farming incentive. Wildlife and landscape conservation groups were less than enamoured with a shift in emphasis away from protection and towards 'build baby build'. So what's the one thing they want the new Prime Minister to make his priority?
The Royal Welsh Show begins today, and all week we're exploring how Welsh farming policy is evolving.
Presenter: Charlotte Smith
Producer: Sarah Swadling