The Farming Programme

Last week, Sean discussed the problems facing the world with climate change. This week, he explores the possible solutions, for those in farming. Plus, there's the monthly update from British Sugar.

We look at agriculture "down under" and what lessons can be learnt back here, with the farmer just back from a working trip to Tasmania.

After too much chocolate over Easter, Sean's looking at the new crop being trialed in the UK...that's to healthy, it's used to give protein to astronauts on the International Space Station.

As it's Easter, we're talking about lambing with one of the country's youngest farmers - who's just 12 years old!

Sean discusses a report, out this week, calling for rural charities to be given urgent support to tackle a growing mental health crisis facing farming.

We know robots are good for farming...but are they replacing farm workers? Sean will be looking at the pros and cons of automation.

We're with the firecrews on an exercise, practising saving livestock from flooded farmland.

We focus again on the mental health of those in agriculture, with a charity recruiting new staff to handle the issue. Also, there’s an update on the sugar beet campaign...And, something about Brexit...probably!

We're on the farm designed to help people with mental health concerns improve their well being.

a shocking story of young lambs, meant for a school farm, that were instead stolen - then killed - for no apparent reason. We'll hear from the farmer who owned them and found their remains. Plus, there's a new agriculture minister. We'll find out more about him.

We hear from a farmer who's been targeted by over 200 activists, taking control of her pig unit for six hours. Also, the issue of sheep worrying, with lambing underway and, we meet the man behind Facetime a Farmer - getting agriculture in to our schools.

It’s an American view on Brexit...what are US farmers making of what’s happening here? Plus, Sean becomes a time traveller, as he looks at how agriculture might look in 150 years time!

An update on the fight against hare coursers. Plus, the weather, literally, where you are...as Sean looks at the new technology that can forecast conditions for the tiniest plot of land!

We look at the German company take-over of a farming giant - was it 66 billion dollars well spent? Plus, the company - set up to deal with Post-War farming - that's now working on solutions for the industry, Post-Brexit.

Sean hears of new research into dreaded blackgrass. Can it help get rid of the weed from our fields?

We focus on keeping our water clean of chemicals, with the use of so-called ‘biobeds'. Plus, an update on the Sugar Beet campaign.

Sean explores whether there is post-Brexit money to made from so-called No-Till Farming.

Sean reports from LAMMA this week. It’s the first time the Machinary Show has been held indoors at the Birmingham NEC, so what’s been the reaction?

It's New Year - New Ideas through January on the Farming Programme. Sean meets "Tom, Dick and Harry" - three robots who could be our farmers of the future!

This week, it's the annual Farming Programme Pantomime...Jack, The Greatest Farming Showman - starring all the regular contributors to the programme. Note: Due to licencing reasons, the music has been removed from this online version.

We’re discussing real Christmas Trees – and asking whether this year’s summer drought might affect your tree in years to come. Plus, there’s a final update of the year from British Sugar on the beet campaign.

Sean’s looking at ‘cover crops’ to see if that’s the answer to creating healthier soils over the winter. Plus, he looks at the success of so-called Monitor Farms...enabling farmers to learn from others in the industry.

After Sir David Attenborough’s speech on climate change, we’ll hear the views of a prominent member of the Green Party, who is himself a farmer.

With less than a month to go until Christmas, Sean meets the farmer who’s growing a hundred and sixty five million sprouts ready for the big day.

Sean reports from the NFU’s Brexit Summit….and asks are we any clearer to finding out what will happen to agriculture after March next year? Plus, we meet a man who left the UK to help create a giant farm in the desert in Eqypt.