Farming Today

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12/11/25 EFRA questions, pig farm planning permission, truffles, potatoes
Eight weeks after taking up her post as DEFRA Secretary of State, Emma Reynolds has faced her first barrage of questions from the cross-party group of MPs at the EFRA select committee. Over two hours the MPs quizzed her about farming profitability, environmental payments, fishing policy, water pollution, border controls and illegal meat.One of the UK's biggest meat producers, Cranswick has been refused retrospective planning permission for a site in Norfolk, housing 7000 sows. The buildings, which were put up four years ago, have attracted hundreds of complaints from local residents over their smell. Even though most of us have seen quite a bit of rain over the last few weeks, some parts still need plenty more to top up the deficit from last summer's drought. That lack of water meant this year's potato harvest, which has just finished, was particularly difficult. We visit a grower in North Yorkshire to catch up on the season and see how incorporating organic matter into soil, retains moisture.All week, we're talking about growing mushrooms. Truffle cultivation isn't usually associated with Scotland, but milder, wetter summers are providing new opportunities, according to one professor who's developing new methods of cultivating truffles.Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney
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11/11/25 Fishing action plan, Scottish farming fund, farmers' arthritis, mushrooms
An all party parliamentary group of MPs is launching what it calls a 'new action plan for fishing.' The group believes that the industry is being challenged by a series of problems including a declining workforce, restrictions at sea because of environmental protection and avoiding windfarms. The former fisheries minister and Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner is writing the report. Farmers and crofters are criticising the Scottish Government over the allocation of grants for the Future Farming Investment Scheme. About 7,500 applications were submitted for the £21 million fund, but around 3,500 applications did not meet the criteria. Some farmers and politicians claim the distribution of money was "unfair". The Scottish Government says it understands some people are disappointed and says it is already reviewing the scheme.Researchers at the University of Worcester are carrying out research to find out how arthritis affects farmers and the farming industry.All week we're finding out more about growing mushrooms. We eat more than a £100 million worth in the UK every year. We visit the second-largest mushroom farm in the UK at Littleport in The Fens. It produces 160 tonnes a week, from tiny buttons, to large flat mushrooms.Presenter = Anna Hill Producer = Rebecca Rooney
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10/11/2025: Family farms, 'Aginflation', mushroom growing in NI
Many farming families are uncertain about their future in the industry, but are we on the cusp of major change with consequences for the fabric of the countryside? Professor Matt Lobley, from Exeter University, has researched the dynamics and economics of family farms for many years and he tells us that this moment feels 'different', citing the phase out of the Basic Payment System in England, rising costs, price volatility, and the hiatus in England's Sustainable Farming Incentive. He says that a period of restructuring is on the way, which will result in fewer farms. Professor Lobley believes family farms bring intangible benefits to rural communities which need to be appreciated. We look at an 'Agflation' index of farm costs which shows some increased significantly over the last year. Fertiliser costs went up 11%, for example. Others, like livestock feed, have decreased on the back of declining arable commodity prices.And, we begin a week looking at Mushroom production with a trip to a farm in County Armagh.Presenter: Caz Graham Producer: Sarah Swadling
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08/11/25 Farming Today This Week: Bird flu, low farmer confidence, Millennium Seed Bank, food security
Poultry Farmers are warned this winter is on course to be among the worst for avian flu. This week all poultry in England and Northern Ireland was ordered inside after a number of new cases. The Pirbright Institute's head of avian virology explains why the H5N1 strain of bird flu has become more able to spread, describing it as 'almost a super strain'.A household name in food processing says it's worried about future supplies of raw materials, because farmers confidence is so poor. Behind the scenes with plant experts as Kew's Millennium Seed Bank marks 25 years.MPs say by 2050 almost a quarter of current UK farmland might not be farmed.Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.
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07/11/2025: Bird flu warning, Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled Cress, low farmer confidence
Poultry Farmers are warned this winter is on course to be among the worst for Avian Flu. This week all poultry in England and Northern Ireland was ordered inside after a number of new cases. The Pirbright Institute's head of Avian Virology explains why the H5N1 strain of bird flu has become more able to spread, describing it as 'almost a super strain'.A household name in food processing says it's worried about future supplies of raw materials, because farmers confidence is so poor. McCain is the single biggest buyer of British potatoes. It commissioned an online survey of 200 farmers from across the industry, called Farmdex. It found that 51 per cent of respondents had considered leaving farming in the past year, while 40 percent believe they may be forced to leave the industry in the next decade due to economic pressures. McCain is calling on the Government and other food industry players to take steps to improve stability for farmers.And, we visit a small company producing seeds for joyously different varieties of veg from Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled Cress to the Musselburgh Leek. Presenter: Charlotte Smith Producer: Sarah Swadling
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