08/11/25: 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.
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
As the number of bird flu cases across the country rises, DEFRA has announced bird keepers across England must house all poultry and captive birds if they keep more than 50 birds. Avian influenza is just one of the animal disease threats raised in a new report by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee. It says the government would not be ready for a serious national disease outbreak like BSE or foot and mouth because resources have been focused on tackling ongoing outbreaks of avian influenza and bluetongue.All week we're taking a closer look at the start of the farming process; seeds. Most farmers buy seeds of some kind whether it's growing a crop for us to eat, or grass seed for pasture, or wildflower mixes for pollinators. However growing crops to produce the seeds that farmers plant, is just as important. We visit a farmer in South Wales who's diversified and now supplies other farmers with wildflower and grass seed mixes.Plant scientists have mapped the genome of oats. Academics at the University of Aberystwyth say it will help plant breeders develop varieties better suited to cope with disease and climate change.Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney
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06/11/25 Millennium Seed Bank - how wild seeds can help agriculture and landscape restoration.
As part of our week-long focus on seeds we go behind the scenes at the Millennium Seed Bank in Sussex. It's celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Experts from Kew Royal Botanical Gardens collect, clean and curate wild seeds from around the world. They're stored in giant vaults and safeguarded for the future. This helps protect endangered species of plants, but scientists also germinate the seeds for use in conservation and agriculture.Presenter = Charlotte Smith
Producer= Rebecca Rooney
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