12/05/25 - Ash dieback, viticulture and spring grass growth
The tree disease ash dieback has been less devastating than initially feared. 2500 trees that show signs of resistance to ash dieback have been planted at a tree archive site in Scotland. It's part of ongoing Government research that suggests there are more tolerant trees than at first expected, and those left in the wild are regenerating naturally.We visit a vineyard in Norfolk at a crucial time of year for viticulture. As the vines come into flower, growers are hoping for no late frosts, which could damage their prospects for a good crop of grapes.And spring is usually a time of rapid grass growth, but this year's dry weather has left some farmers with less of it than they’d like. For livestock farmers grass is a critically important crop, providing fresh feed in the fields through spring and summer and a relatively low-cost source of fodder for the winter.Presented by Caz Graham
Produced by Heather Simons
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10/05/25 - Farming Today This Week: India and US trade agreements and their impacts on agriculture, land girls, seed potatoes
Farmers have welcomed a new UK trade deal with India, with tariff reductions for whisky, salmon and lamb. And the UK Prime Minister and the US President announced a trade arrangement between the two countries, with UK tariffs removed on imports of American ethanol, and a reciprocal agreement on beef. But the UK ban on American chlorine washed chicken and hormone treated beef continues.To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we hear from one of the 'land girls', who ploughed crops, milked cows and drove tractors on British farms during WII.And as part of our week digging into spuds, we hear how Scottish seed potato growers are trying to resume trade with the EU.Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.
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9/5/2025 UK trade deal with USA and what it means for British farmers
The UK and the US have announced a trade deal between the two countries. President Trump hailed it as an agreement which will 'dramatically increase' access to UK markets for American farmers involving he said billions of dollars and singling out ethanol - where the UK tariff on American imports will be removed, and beef, where a reciprocal agreement has been made. The UK ban on American chlorine washed chicken and hormone treated beef continues. The UK government says it opens up a new market for British farmers while keeping up welfare and environmental standards on imports.Presenter = Charlotte Smith
Producer = Rebecca Rooney
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07/05/25 - India Trade Deal, gene edited potatoes and green finance
A former Government trade advisor says the new trade deal with India could be good news for UK farmers. The deal comes after three years of negotiations and includes reduced tariffs on exports of products including whisky, lamb and salmon.Many potatoes end up getting wasted because of bruising and discoloration. We hear from a potato producing company in Lincolnshire where they're hoping gene editing can produce a bruise-resistant spud.And a select committee of MPs is urging the Government to do more to encourage private investment in schemes which restore nature. A report from the Environmental Audit Select Committee says new regulations should be introduced to enable landowners to realise their natural capital while protecting the farmers' ability to grow food.Presented by Anna Hill
Produced by Heather Simons
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6/5/2025 Drought warnings in Scotland, seed potatoes, asparagus
Scottish farmers are being warned to prepare for a possible summer drought. SEPA, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued a water scarcity alert as 17 river catchments are so low. In England the Environment Agency says two thirds of rivers are below normal or lower for the time of year. This week we're digging into the world of potato production - none of which would be possible, of course, without healthy, disease-free seed to get the crop started. Growing seed potatoes is a high-value, tightly regulated, specialist sector, and in the UK it's largely concentrated in Scotland where the disease risks are lower thanks to a cooler climate. Europe was a key market for Scottish seed, but Brexit changed all that. The EU's plant protection rules mean the trade is no longer allowed. However growers haven't given up on resuming exports and efforts continue. The asparagus season is underway, traditionally, the spears of this tender crop are only picked from 23rd April, St George’s Day, to 21st June, the longest day of the year. It’s crucial for growers to have their best produce ready at the right time. Not only that, getting it to market and making sure it’s quality is perfect can pay real dividends when supplying top end restaurants and catering. We join one grower who welcomed the whole supply chain to his farm to see how the asparagus they buy from him, is grown.Presenter = Charlotte Smith
Producer = Rebecca Rooney
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