Podcast appearances and mentions of Charlotte Smith

In a special bank holiday programme, Anita Rani escapes from the studio and spends the day at a dairy farm in Devon to explore the reality of female farmers' lives.Farmer Lorna Burdge shows Anita what a day in her life as a dairy farmer involves, from milking at 6am to feeding calves, measuring grass, looking after her three children and tackling invoices in the office.We hear about a groundbreaking three-year study into the health and wellbeing of female farmers announced by the University of Exeter and Farming Community Network. Dr Rebecca Wheeler, the project lead from the University of Exeter's Centre for Rural Policy Research, and Linda Jones, from the charity Farming Community Network, explain why the study is needed, who they want to hear from and what they hope it will achieve.Farming Today and Countryfile presenter Charlotte Smith gives Anita some of the context and policy changes of the last few years in the industry which some say have impacted farmers' wellbeing.Anita has a cup of tea in the farmhouse kitchen and hears from three women farmers about the challenges, stresses, achievements and joys of their jobs. Joining Anita and Lorna are Sinead Fenton, an edible flower and herb farmer in East Sussex, and Caroline Millar, who has an arable, lamb and beef farm near Dundee in Scotland.What action is being taken to address some of the challenges for women in this industry? Anita hears from Rachel Hallos, the Vice-President of the National Farmers' Union for England and Wales, an organisation which represents thousands of farmers and is looking at the experience of female farmers.And finally, Katie Davies, who was awarded Farming Woman of the Year at the National Women in Agriculture Awards 2025, tells Anita why she's trying to inspire more women to get into farming.For more information on the three-year study on the wellbeing of female farmers, and how to take part in the research, head to: https://exe.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5pqBN1BBqIxEns2Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Olivia Bolton Assistant Producer: Claire Fox Editor: Karen Dalziel

A challenge to Britain's ban on commercial fishing for sandeels in the North Sea has been partially upheld. The ban was introduced by both the English and Scottish governments in March last year because of concerns that so many sandeels were being fished that seabirds along the UK's East coastline were losing out. But Danish commercial sandeel boats said it threatened their future, and that claimed the move was discriminatory and disproportionate. They then took the case to the EU's Permanent Court of Arbitration, which upheld the ban in Scottish waters, but not the English one. The British Veterinary Association and the Pig Veterinary Society have issued a new joint statement calling for farrowing crates to be banned. Farrowing crates are the small pens that 60% of sows in the UK are kept in around the time they give birth to ensure they don't roll on and crush their piglets. New research published this week suggests that a spray, which boosts the equivalent of a plant's blood sugar, could improve wheat yields by 12%.Conservation groups in Scotland are urging ministers to reject plans for an offshore windfarm which the developer predicts will kill tens of thousands of seabirds.We grow some pulses in the UK and most go into animal feed for the high protein, things like beans and peas and even lupins. There is a drive to grow more pulses for feed here in the UK to replace imported soya, and research into the best options for British farmers is underway.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Dairy farmers are being advised to cull or sell cows or reduce their feed as processors across the country struggle with high volumes of milk. The spring flush has been particularly good this year, with cows put out to grass earlier, and that's meant they're producing more milk. But dairies can't cope and some are warning that while they'll pay the agreed price for the contracted amount of milk any extra will be bought at a much lower price. We grow quite a lot of pulses in the UK and most go into animal feed, but with changing consumer tastes and a changing climate farmers are also trying to grow things like chickpeas and lentils, with varied results as we'll hear this week. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Concerns about foot and mouth outbreaks in Europe have led to restrictions on what visitors and returning holidaymakers can bring into the UK. Meat and dairy products cannot now be brought back from Europe into the country, the aim being to prevent an outbreak here. That rule was introduced on the 12th of April this year and covers everything from cured meats and cheeses to sandwiches regardless of whether it's packaged or not. But over the past couple of weeks listeners have been getting in touch to say that there hasn't been much publicity about it, and that at ports and airports they're not seeing signs or inspections.Talk of tariffs is giving way to talks about a trade deal between the UK and the USA, so we try to work out what that might mean for food and farming. The Government says it's not going to negotiate on food standards. But given that the US exported goods worth $92 billion to the UK last year and food exports made up just $3 billion of that, how strong a voice can UK food and agri-business have in any negotiation? When James Colston took on the management of Arisaig farm in the West Highlands of Scotland, more than 30 years ago, he never imagined he'd become obsessed by the wonderful world of a small endangered butterfly species, the chequered skipper. But that's what happened, and by introducing both trees and what he calls 'cow power' to the woodlands he has changed the 10,000 acre hill farm. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

A government amendment to its planning bill would be disastrous for both wildlife and big building projects; that's the warning from the Wildlife Trusts which wants ministers to reconsider. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust releases its latest watchlist today, and says that while there is good news for some native breeds, others like the Manx Locton sheep are falling in number. It wants the Government to re-establish a Ministerial Native Breeds Roundtable. Today we are looking at a silvopasture project in Wales, as part of our week on agroforestry. Silvopasture combines trees, livestock grazing and pasture management. Tom Clare and Jacqui Banks who farm in North Pembrokeshire use badger faced sheep in their system which they've been running for a decade. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Charlotte Smith examines what's behind 2025's unprecedented increase in prices paid to UK beef farmers. According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board fewer cattle are being farmed in the UK, and beyond. This week Farming Today is taking a closer look at Agroforestry, the approach which combines farming crops or livestock with trees. And, big fish, big money: we visit a carp grower in Yorkshire.Presenter: Charlotte Smith Producer: Sarah Swadling

If you're travelling in mainland Europe this Easter and thinking about possibly bringing back some local delicacies, think again. Following outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Germany, Hungary and on its border with Slovakia, restrictions on the food you're allowed to bring in, have changed significantly. You are now not allowed to bring in meat or dairy products from any EU country, except for poultry. So how great is the potential for cured meats or cheeses in your suitcase to transmit foot and mouth?Some of the UK's rarest wildlife is being "torched alive" and pushed closer to extinction after weeks of intense grass fires, conservationists have warned.There has been a bit of talk about trade deals this week, with the the US Vice President JD Vance talking about a prospective UK/US agreement, and that's making farmers nervous. They worry that agreements risk undermining them and this week raised concerns over a deal with India, saying it mustn't allow imports of cheaper food, produced to lower standards. The company behind one of the UK's biggest vertical farms has closed. The Jones Food Company which ran indoor farms in Scunthrope and Gloucestershire, as well as a development centre in Bristol, called in the receivers after failing to find new investors. Vertical farms grow crops, mainly herbs and salad leaves, inside on shelving, using special lights to create a warm humid atmosphere which reduces growing time in comparison with conventionally grown crops. But with a number of companies going bust in recent years, is this a viable way to grow food?And as spring is springing, we talk sheep shearing in West Dorset.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Salmon farming has long been plagued by questions over its environmental impact and welfare concerns for farmed fish and the wild fish that live nearby. Charlotte Smith asks if those concerns might be reduced if the industry moves into deeper, wilder waters.There's also a look at illegal meat imports and the resources that the Port of Dover has to police the arrival of suspect foods on British shores. Producer: Rebecca Rooney

Firefighters are warning of the 'extreme risk' of wildfires in Scotland. The fire service has issued its third warning this year after fires in hills near Glasgow and in Aberdeenshire. It says after a spell of warm weather there is plenty of dry vegetation which can act as fuel for fires, and is urging people not to light fires outside this week. Government plans to streamline environmental regulation to speed up house building and boost economic growth risk causing irreversible damage to nature, according to green groups. On Monday we talked about 'operation turtle dove' and the UK farmers who've been growing habitats and food for the birds, which summer here after wintering in West Africa. It's a project that's helped increase their numbers by 40%. Much of the turtle doves' success has been down to a ban in Europe on shooting them as they migrate across the continent. But because of the population increase, this week the ban has been lifted. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Guernsey dairy farmers have welcomed a decision to increase the support they receive from government.An ambitious plan is underway to digitise wartime farm records and make them available online. A ban in Europe on shooting turtle doves, and work by farmers in England to provide both habitats and food has resulted in a 40% increase in populations. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The Farming Minister has told Farming Today that it's the success of England's biggest environmental scheme which has led to its closure. As we've reported this week, there has been a furious reaction to the Government's decision to close the SFI to new applicants. The government says it plans to 'reset' the scheme before re-opening it. The Sustainable Farming Incentive paid farmers for environmental work - farming and environmental organisations have criticised its closure, saying it will put financial strain on farming businesses and have a detrimental impact on the environment. Minister Daniel Ziechner says more farmers than in previous years have applied for SFI and so the budget has been spent.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Today we look at the Government's decision to close the Sustainable Farming Incentive to new applicants with immediate effect. The SFI is a major part of the post-Brexit system of farm payments in England. The devolved governments in the other nations of the UK are developing their own schemes and in the meantime retain direct payments to farmers. In England those basic payments are being phased out and replaced by environmental payments. The Sustainable Farming Incentive is one of the new schemes. It offered a range of options like improving soils, planting hedges or providing habitat for wildlife, for which farmers are paid. Defra says the budget has been 'successfully allocated' and so no new applications will now be accepted. Details on a new SFI will be announced in the summer but applications may not re-open until next year. Tom Bradshaw, President of the National Farmers Union, says the news is a "shattering blow".Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The American President Donald Trump wants farmers in the US to produce more for the domestic market as the rows over import tariffs continue. So what might this all this mean for them, for us and for global trade? For This Natural Life, this week on on BBC Radio 4, Martha Kearney visited Sir James Dyson on his farm in Somerset to hear what the natural world means to him, and how that is being reflected in his approach to farming.Bird flu continues to hit poultry farms across the country. Last week we heard from Jerry Saunders, from Orchard Organic Farm in South Devon, about the emotional toll of having all 5000 of his birds culled after getting bird flu. We hear how the financial impact can be severe, too. Broadband speeds in rural areas are 26% slower than they are in urban areas - that's according to the Government, and there are still parts of the country that have no mobile phone access at all. We speak to Chris Bryant, the minister with responsibility for digital inclusion, about the Government's Digital Inclusion Action Plan.New rules for the pig supply chain are due to be introduced this spring to help even up what Defra describes as a 'power imbalance' between farmers and processors.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

American farmers are being urged to produce more by their president. Mr Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on goods, including agricultural produce, from Canada and Mexico, and both countries are imposing retaliatory tariffs on American goods. As is China, which is the biggest market for US agriculture products. So what might this all this mean for them, for us and for global trade? For This Natural Life on BBC Radio 4, Martha Kearney visits Sir James Dyson on his farm in Somerset to hear what the natural world means to him, and how that is being reflected in his approach to farming.Continuing our topic this week: supply chains, the many hands food goes through on its way from farm to fork. Controlling what happens at every stage can be a challenge, but that's what one Welsh producer is trying to do so they can make the supply chain more sustainable. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

After a week that saw hundreds of tractors block Whitehall and a prime ministerial visit disrupted by protesting farmers, we take an in-depth look at the proposed changes around inheritance tax on farms.From April 2026, inherited agricultural assets worth more than a million pounds will be liable to inheritance tax at 20% - half the usual rate. The Government says the tax is fair and will raise much-needed public funds. Farmers argue the move could see family farms put out of business. Charlotte Smith is joined by a panel of guests: Aled Jones - President of NFU Cymru Emily Norton - farmer and founder of the rural business advisory service, Farm Foresight Dan Neidle - tax expert who runs Tax Policy AssociatesProduced by Heather Simons

Pesticides are killing plants, insects and animals that they're not aiming to control, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the University of Sussex have joined international researchers to analyse 1,700 lab and field studies of 471 insecticides, herbicides and fungicides used in agriculture or commercially around the world. Their report identifies 'wide ranging negative effects' on a range of species and while the authors acknowledge that without pesticides global food production would likely collapse, they conclude that these chemicals are a major contributor to the biodiversity crisis. A tractor protest disrupted the Prime Minister's visit to a building site in Buckinghamshire. Farmers campaigning against the reintroduction of inheritance tax on farms took their tractors to the site near Milton Keynes yesterday, sounding their horns, Sir Keir Starmer then abandoned plans to make a speech. Speaking afterwards, he said the protest highlighted the difficult choices the Government had to make.This week we have been featuring rural champions, unsung heroes making a difference to the lives of people in rural communities. Barkley Thompson, from a farming family in Co Antrim, is a music teacher at Ballymena Academy and it's there of an evening that as musical director, he gathers some 60 or so men and women from the surrounding community under the banner of The Farmers' Choir of Northern Ireland. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Free Range egg producers say the Government's latest measures to combat bird flu don't go far enough. The Chief Vet says that from Sunday, poultry in a further five English counties, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire, must be brought inside, joining restrictions already imposed in Hull, East and North Yorkshire, York, Norfolk, Suffolk and Shropshire. Gatherings of poultry have also been banned in England, and enhanced biosecurity measures are already in force across the country, but Gary Ford from the British Free Range Egg Producers Association tells us they want a stronger response.The British Trust for Ornithology says there's been an increase in the number of wild birds infected with avian flu, and as many species have had a massive shock to their population, it's all about whether they can recover and how long it will take.All this week we are celebrating rural community champions and today our reporter Sarah Swadling takes us to the winding lanes of the Exe valley in Devon. There a Church of England minister rides her Highland pony to services, and to visit parishioners in their homes.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

MPs are told that animal products from Germany continued to enter the UK after an import ban was put in place because of the foot and mouth outbreak there.Egg producers want their chickens ordered inside to protect them from bird flu.A new report finds farming leaders in Scotland must do more to call out racist, misogynistic and homophobic language from union members.We visit a prize winner of the Westmorland Agricultural Society's annual hotly contested silage competition. And we speak to The Crown Estate about its new rural strategy, offering tenants 'environmental farm business tenancies' or green leases.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Egg producers want the Government to order all free range chickens inside to protect them from bird flu. The British Free Range Egg Producers Association has told Farming Today that with rising numbers of cases of the virus, it's time to protect the national flock. In Scotland, tenant farmers are concerned about inheritance tax because of the way their farm lease system works.A new report gives a 'critical' warning about the UK's ability to feed us all, given pressures like climate change and global political instability. The report published today by the National Preparedness Commission, an independent body which describes its aim as being to make the country better prepared to withstand major shocks, warns that food supply chains are fragile and the UK 'complacent'. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Silage is the preserved chopped grass or other crops that farmers feed to livestock through the winter. The more good-quality silage you can harvest and store yourself, the less money you need to spend on bought in feed. There's also a real pride in producing a great crop of silage. The Westmorland Agricultural Society runs an annual hotly contested silage competition. The entries are lab analysed and the best four farms in each category get a personal visit from the judge. We visit a prize winner.All this week we'll be looking at the current state of tenant farming. 14% of farms are rented, and many of those who own their own land also rent some, so about 30% of farmed land in England is tenanted. The Rock Revie, commissioned by the last government, made a number of recommendations to improve things for farmers who rent, from more protection from landlords wanting to take land back, to the appointment of a commissioner, a recommendation accepted by this government. The fashion industry has come under scrutiny in recent years for the impact it has on the environment. Here in the UK, some textile producers are now turning to so-called 'slow fashion', which aims to ensure full traceability in textile supply chains.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

There has been a 'lack of progress' from the Scottish Government in implementing reforms recommended for the salmon farming industry, according to MSPs. Members of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in the Scottish Parliament warned that such delays could be 'detrimental to the long-term viability' of the sector. Farmer protests against the introduction of inheritance tax are continuing up and down the country, with more planned for the end of the month. But many agree that the row has at least made families talk about what should happen when one generation passes on the farm to the next. Professor Matt Lobley from Exeter University says while around 60% of farmers in their 60s have a successor lined up, the transfer of ownership can be a painful process.This week we'll be looking at some of the jobs that need to be done at this time of year to ensure the maintenance of the farm all year round. Today it's fencing, vital for keeping animals in, and your neighbours' animals out.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The Climate Change Committee is revising its advice on eating meat. In 2020 the Committee, which is the Government's advisor on climate change, recommended people cut their intake of beef, lamb and dairy produce by 20% by 2030 and by 35% by 2050, to reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses produced by livestock in the UK. But the Interim Chair Professor Piers Forster tells us that in light of new technologies, this is being looked at again.Farmers have to drive change if we're to meet legally binding targets on improving the environment. So says the Office for Environmental Protection in a new report looking at the last government's progress on meeting targets on water quality, air pollution and stopping biodiversity loss. It says England remains largely off track as progress 'slowed' and 'very substantial' challenges remain if targets are to be reached by 2030. We hear about the workarounds which farmers come up with to keep older machines going.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The LAMMA 2025 farm machinery show is underway at the NEC in Birmingham - but is anyone buying? Charlotte Smith visits the show to check out the latest in farm machinery and innovation. She takes a look at a new sprayer which can target individual weeds, and finds out why farmers want to play a farming computer game.She also hears how many farmers are feeling less able to invest in new kit after a difficult year for farming: wet weather hit harvests and incomes, and then October's Budget saw a surprise acceleration of the phasing out of subsidy payments in England, alongside changes to employers National Insurance and of course the introduction of inheritance tax on farms. Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced by Heather Simons

Rural councils are warning that council tax will have to rise and there will be cuts in services, because they say the Government has prioritised urban communities in the recent funding agreement. The County Councils' Network which represents 23 county councils and 13 county unitary authorities says ministers are 'cherry picking' by using a formula based on deprivation, which is targeted towards city and town councils. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government told us the overall funding agreement is a real terms increase which will support places with a significant rural population. This year a charity that collects surplus food and distributes it to charities says that between November and the end of January, it's expecting to rescue enough food to create around 50 million meals. It says this is in part down to the ways it's now working with growers to reduce waste.And carols, in the pub; a tradition that sprung up in Yorkshire in the nineteenth century, where people would go to the village pub and sing carols to the old tunes. All week we've been looking at the fortunes of rural pubs and to celebrate Christmas, locals in the the small market town of Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire, are reviving village carols from Somerset, Wiltshire and Cornwall.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Carrot and sprout discount wars are in full swing as the supermarkets vie to be the best value for Christmas. While growers acknowledge what's becoming an annual pricing competition can be helpful for hard-up shoppers, they're worried that this sends the wrong messages to consumers.At this time of year knitters and crocheters are making gifts and natural wool from local sheep is in demand.All this week we are looking at the challenges facing rural pubs and their importance to local communities. Two entrepreneurs from Oxfordshire think more pubs could grow at least some of their own produce.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Farmer protests over the Government's proposed changes to inheritance tax have continued this week, with rallies around the country and around 600 tractors making their way into central London on Wednesday. They arrived just as MPs were discussing the issues at the House of Commons' Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee, which was looking at inheritance tax as part of a wider inquiry into the future of farming. Fruit and veg importers say a shortage of government inspectors at ports is reducing the shelf life of products and the current system risks spreading plant disease. Nearly 6% of dairy producers across the UK left the industry in the last year, according to Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board figures. In Wales the figure is even higher at 17%, according to NFU Cymru. The amount of milk produced has stayed about the same, but the number of individual dairy farms has fallen.'Tis the season when Christmas turkey farmers are at full stretch across the country, as they get their birds ready for sale. Two years ago it was a very different picture: there were warnings that there could be a turkey shortage after millions of birds died or were destroyed because of avian flu. We visit a producer in Norfolk who lost thousands of birds to the disease. This year, he's back on his own farm, rearing thousands of free-range birds once more.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Fruit and veg importers say a shortage of government inspectors at ports is reducing the shelf life of products and the current system risks spreading plant disease. At the end of April, the Government introduced its new Border Target Operating Model, a post-Brexit system of biosecurity checks for goods entering the UK. It means products classed as high or medium risk have to be physically checked, including live animals and meat, as well as fruit and vegetables and some plant products. The Government built a checking facility at Sevington in Kent, and said they'd take a pragmatic approach to implementing the checks to avoid queues. Other companies have also built private inspection points, where they too use government inspectors. The British Association of Tomato Growers say they're seeing significant delays in seeds getting to farms and the logistics company, PML Seafrigo, told Farming Today they regularly see consignments of fruit which should be inspected waiting too long for government inspectors to arrive, only to been 'green lit' without a check.Dairy farming is at a tipping point and many may leave; that's the warning from the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers. Its chair Robert Craig says farmers will need confidence to invest for the future, and at the moment many don't have it. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

With few British people wanting to pick fruit and veg, for many many years now workers have come from abroad to work the season. It's been something of a vexed issue, with complaints about the way the system works and the number of people allowed to use it, as well as concerns about the exploitation of workers. After Brexit a new seasonal workers visa scheme was introduced. The Government has confirmed that next year 43,000 such visas will be available for people in horticulture, with a further 2,000 for the poultry industry. But when you rely on the company that has brought you over, it can be hard to then complain to them. Dr Natalie Sedacca from Durham University discusses the issues facing some migrant workers, and what can be done to protect them.For this Sunday's edition of Radio 4's On Your Farm Charlotte Smith went to meet the Taylor-Davies family who farm near Ross On Wye. This was a fairly usual cereals farm which Ben Taylor Davies took on from his father. He was running it in a fairly conventional way, until things changed radically, and his life changed forever.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Farmers in Scotland have given a cautious welcome to the increase in the agriculture budget to £660 million. It's up from £620 million but falls short of the £776 million that the National Farmers' Union Scotland had wanted.MPs have voted in support of the Government's change to inheritance tax on farms. In an opposition debate yesterday the Conservatives proposed the tax be scrapped, but the motion was defeated. We continue our week focusing on workers on farms. Today we hear about the shortage of people in the fishing industry. The lack of people means some older skippers are now giving up early as they can't find a crew.  Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The Government 'risks creating a culture of fear and resistance' amongst farmers, according to the Nature Friendly Farmers Network. It's highlighting the suspension of grants which help farmers in England invest in infrastructure to improve the environment. That's things like better slurry storage to protect waterways or planting hedges to reduce soil erosion. Defra says the Capital Grants Scheme has been temporarily closed after unprecedented demand. Scotland's fire service says rural communities need to prepare for bigger and more wildfires in the years ahead. The service is spending £1.6m on new equipment as changing land use and the warming climate increase the risk posed by wildfires. All week we're taking a closer look at winter veg, and today it's parsnips. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

On the programme this week, we investigate concerns over plans for new saltmarshes near the Hinkley C nuclear power plant. Upland sheep farmers tell us why they're struggling with the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme. We visit the islands of Lewis and Harris to look at a new approach to treating sheep disease. And there's further reaction to the Budget: farmers explain their opposition to new inheritance tax plans and the Secretary of State, Steve Reed, responds. And farming tax advisor, Rob Hitch, gives his view on what the changes might mean.Presented by Charlotte Smith. Produced by Heather Simons at BBC Audio Bristol

We look at how the Budget affects agriculture and farming businesses. Inheritance tax will apply to farms from April 2026. The National Farmers' Union tells us farming is being "bled dry" and has "nothing left to give". The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner, has confirmed that next year's farming budget for England remains unchanged at £2.4 billion. There was no mention of nature in the Chancellor's budget speech, something the Wildlife Trusts highlighted, saying "The UK Government must commit to long-term strategic funding for nature's recovery and provide greater funding for environmental regulators". Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

This week we are focusing on livestock and their impact on climate change. We hear about the concerns over the number of livestock here in the UK, and find out how farmers are reducing emissions by growing cattle faster or breeding sheep to burp less.A BBC freedom of information request has revealed that the amount of illegal meat seized by border force officials has doubled in a year. Charlotte Smith revisits a farmer growing white maize, a staple crop in his native Zimbabwe. Eleven years since her last visit, David Mwanaka now rents a council farm near Cambridgeshire and his farm selling exotic crops is going strong.Alpaca breeders use something called a 'spit off' or a 'spit test' to see if their females are pregnant with a cria, or baby alpaca. We go along to see the test in action.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

This week we are focusing on livestock and their impact on climate change. We've heard about the concerns over the number of livestock here in the UK, and today we find out how beef farmers are reducing emissions by growing cattle faster.An online course has been launched to raise awareness of the importance, and lack of, diversity in UK agriculture. Nuffield Farming Scholarships say farming is one of the least diverse industries in the country in terms of ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation, and one of the barriers to changing that is the lack of understanding in the sector. The latest government figures show that 60% of farmers are over 55, with 38% over 65 and just 15% are under 45. The reality of that is highlighted by farm sales: Michael Read is 79 and has an award winning heard of Lincolnshire Red cattle, or at least he did until earlier this month when the herd was sold as none of the family wanted to take on the farm.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

We hear warnings from the Country Land and Business Association that changing tax rules for farms could close many down. The RSPB says any cuts to the farming budget would put nature and climate targets at risk. To start our week looking at greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, we speak to Professor Sir Charles Godfrey of the Oxford Martin School who says we should be producing less and better meat.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The UK is in danger of violating international agreements on restoring nature, that's according to the Wildlife Trusts. The Trusts' chief executive, Craig Bennet, tells us next week's COP 16 on biodiversity is a crucial chance for the Government to demonstrate how it will meet targets. Tom Heap explores the microscopic world of microbes, including an experiment to improve the resilience of wheat.Viticulture is one of the fastest growing parts of agriculture here in the UK. Recent data shows that more than 80 new vineyards opened in 2023, bringing the total number to over a thousand for the first time. But many rely on tourism to make them financially stable, and the industry body Wine GB estimates there were over 1.5 million visits to vineyards and wineries last year. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton

The government has announced that Defra should be a 'key economic growth department' and has ordered a review into its regulations and regulators. That's been welcomed by some, like the Country Land and Business Association, which says ministers need 'a laser like focus on identifying and removing the barriers to economic growth in the countryside'. The National Farmers' Union told us it wants a 'proportionate and predictable' regulatory environment for farmers. But others are more wary: campaigners have described the move as 'dispiriting', fearing that it could mean less regulation to stimulate economic growth at the cost of environmental protections. The internal review will be led by an economist, Dan Corry, who was head of the Number 10 Policy Unit under Gordon Brown.The size of England's beef herd has continued its fall. It's come down by 5% in the last year and now stands at 595000. In the ten years before that, the number of cattle bred for meat fell by 13%. The National Beef Association is calling on the Government to introduce new payments to farmers to halt what it calls an alarming trend. UK winemakers' harvest is underway. It too has fallen victim to the weather which has made the cereal harvest in England one of the worst since the 1980s. For grapes, the wet cold weather prevented or delayed pollination, with some yields are down 90%.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

I'm excited to share that Charlotte Smith is our guest again on The Flower Podcast. Charlotte teaches farmers the skills they need to make money on their farms and live calm, balanced lives through mindset coaching. Going against what most of us have been taught, Charlotte coaches in 13 countries to build successful profitable farms while also getting out from feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious. In 2016, Charlotte was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Women in the World in Food and Agriculture by the non-profit, Food Tank and she is giving us a little dose of her coaching today on The Flower Podcast.   The great thing about this kind of coaching is that it's good for any kind of business. So this episode isn't just for farmers, it's also for florists, educators, or anyone that's an entrepreneur with a business. Today we chat about the importance of having and growing an email list for your business. In addition, we chat about hiring and putting systems in place to help encourage and strengthen your team and the importance of charging enough for your products so that you can cover all the expenses of hiring extra help, plus paying yourself. Learn more about Charlotte Smith and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Poultry keepers say they can't access government websites to register their birds. From 1st October anyone who keeps birds has to register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, to help with monitoring bird flu outbreaks, even those with just one or two chickens. Failure to comply could mean a fine of £2,500. However bird owners who've tried to register say the system is not working. Defra says it's had a high number of applications and is working at pace to process them. Dairy farmers are finding it a 'real struggle' to recruit new staff, according to industry experts, The farmer-owned dairy coop Arla spoke to nearly 500 UK dairy farmers and just under 90% of them said they had advertised jobs and had few or no applicants at all. So what's holding young people back from a life working with dairy cows in a career that can also involve robotics, veterinary science and data analysis to mention just a few of the skills involved in modern milk production?The UK is 97% self-sufficient in carrots, according to the British Carrot Association, but poor weather over the last year has meant supermarket shelves stocked with bags of carrots imported from China, Israel and other countries. Is that a trend that's likely to continue?We've been talking about deer all this week, their impact on the environment and how to manage their growing population. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Radical changes to food safety are being proposed. The Food Standards Agency is discussing removing responsibility from cash strapped councils and relying instead on data collected by food companies and supermarkets. Chris Elliott, professor of food safety at Queen's University Belfast and Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, says more work and more consultation is needed.As the Met Office predicts another autumn and winter of destructive floods, a number of flood defences in England damaged during last winter's storms are still yet to be fixed. And the National Farmers' Union has warned that many farms still in dire need of flood support.It's been 20 years since fox hunting was banned by Tony Blair's government. Since then trail or drag hunting are two different ways of hunting without doing anything illegal. In drag hunting the hounds follow a non-animal scent laid by a drag pulled on a string, in trail hunting they follow an animal scent. Critics say trail hunting can be used as a smokescreen for illegal hunting and in its election manifesto Labour said it would ban trail hunting.Picking blackberries from the hedgerows, along with the wild damson and sloes, is one of those end of summer outings, marking the seasonal shift. September is also the biggest month for selling commercially grown blackberries. Growers say new varieties mean they're bigger and better and while sales are up about 6% year on year, they're nowhere near as popular here in the UK as raspberries. Is it worth buying blackberries, at £2 or more a punnet, when you can pick them for free? Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Radical changes to food safety are being proposed. The Food Standards Agency is discussing removing responsibility from cash strapped councils and relying instead on data collected by food companies and supermarkets. Under plans discussed yesterday by its board the FSA would take direct control of things like hygiene and food standards for large companies, leaving local authority inspectors to concentrate on smaller businesses. It has piloted the idea, working with five retailers and says the system is 'suitably robust and proportionate' and gives more information on compliance than the current approach. Chris Elliott, professor of food safety at Queen's University Belfast and Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, says more work and more consultation is needed.Technology should be used to combat food crime; the call comes from the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers and follows a report from the Food Standards Agency which highlighted 'new opportunities' for criminals. The number of curlews has dropped by more than half since 1995 and the bird is high on the Red List of endangered species. We hear how the farming community in North Wales is getting involved in conservation.How a charity which takes young carers farming and camping on Dartmoor is giving them a rare opportunity to get away from their responsibilities and out into the countryside. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

The Government plans to cut the budget for nature friendly farming in England by £100m, according to a report in the Guardian. It claims that civil service sources say the cut is needed to help fill a £22 billion treasury shortfall. The reduced spending could affect the new Sustainable Farming Incentive which replaces the old EU system, paying farmers for environmental benefits produced on their land. Nature and farming groups have reacted with consternation. We ask how significant would a cut of £100m be.All this week we are looking at how land use is changing, as public and private investment is brought in to fund environmental schemes. With increasing green finance opportunities, more and more companies are stepping in to broker deals between farmers and investors. Natergall's business model is to deliver ecological restoration on its own land and that of others, and to commercialise the results.Rural areas across England are in danger of becoming 'pharmacy deserts', as medicine providers across the country continue to consolidate and close smaller branches. That's according to the National Pharmacy Association, which has published a study showing that over the last two years, nearly nine in ten council areas in England have lost pharmacies. It found that rural areas often rely on fewer providers, so are harder hit by closures.A new report has revealed that part of the seabed off Devon which had been trashed by years of trawling and dredging is being revitalised. Research by the University of Plymouth shows that within just 10 years the former shellfish reef has been transformed.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

This week we have something really special for you - a recording of our recent Three Ravens Live Show at Battle Folk & Fable Festival!Focused on the town of Battle on the Kent-Sussex border, and the lore and history of the area, we're talking ghosts, giants, faeries, demon dogs and witches, and Martin is telling his rather silly take on the life of William the Conqueror.With legends including those of Gill The Giant, the Pevensey Werewolves, 'Funny Face' the ghost, discussions of local writers like Rudyard Kipling, Charlotte Smith and Edith Nesbit, and a tonne of fascinating historical tidbits, as if that wasn't enough, we also performed two songs - folk classic The Tree Song and our new creation, The Ballad of Billy The Conks!We really hope you enjoy the episode, thank you so much to everyone who came along, and we will be back next week with the launch of Series 5, including Eleanor's exploration of Cumberland, a new Magic and Medicines episode about Tarot, and a brand new Local Legends interview with Stephen Rae, The Bard of Cumberland! The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crime from across history) plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scientists have made a major breakthrough which could save the Scottish potato industry from collapse.  They've identified varieties which are both palatable to consumers and resistant to a pest which is spreading across the country. A new report has revealed that part of the seabed off Devon which had been trashed by years of trawling and dredging is being revitalised. Research by the University of Plymouth shows that within just 10 years the former shellfish reef has been transformed.All this week on Farming Today we're looking at 'green finance', getting money to pay for things which improve nature or reduce harmful emissions. Today we hear from Dr Ben Caldecott, director of the Oxford Sustainable Finance Group, who says the challenge is to work out which schemes offer value for money.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

I remember…doing some chores one day with the pigs and thinking, “I don't need anything other than this.  Everything is whole and complete as I do this work here with these animals. –Carrie   You start with lambing and move through into lactation and then we start processing and so being able to manage the farm in that integrated way. Being able to really understand the performance of the animals and their health and how that relates to the quality of the milk and then how that milk is transformed into our finished products. Having that kind of oversight is special--surprising.—Brent   Carrie & Brent Wasser run a sheep dairy in the Hudson Valley of New York. They produce sheep's milk yogurt and bottled sheep's milk in their on-farm creamery, and raise pastured lamb. They came to farming in their late 30's/early 40s after careers in journalism (Carrie) and food production (Brent). They met each other on a farm in New England, and talked about their mutual interest in livestock farming on the very first night they met. Willow Pond Sheep Farm email   Willow Pond Sheep Farm web site   Willow Pond Sheep Farm Instagram   Green Mountain Girls Farm website   Charlotte Smith podcast   Northeast Pasture Consortium web site   More educational and transformational offerings from Jenn Colby   Whole Human web site   Choosing to Farm Patreon link   Leave us a review or buy us a coffee at Choosing to Farm! The Choosing to Farm podcast is all about telling origin stories, learning from the journeys, and creating connection among first-and returning-generation livestock farmers and ranchers across the US and the world.  After nearly 30 years working professionally in agriculture as well as being a returning-generation farmer myself, I'm here to share stories, tips and resources to help livestock farmers and ranchers heal our relationship with success.  Want to help? Like, share or review this episode! Want to help even more? Join our Patreon to support the show or even buy me a cup of coffee at the Choosing to Farm web site!

How pylons ruined a harvest: a Suffolk farmer speaks of his frustration after National Grid dug up his field, two days before a barley crop was due to be harvested. Bluetongue virus is on the rise. With more cases affecting livestock in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, the Chief Vet is warning farmers here to be extra vigilant. 20 years ago, Salih Hodzhov left Bulgaria to work as a picker on a fruit farm in Kent. He is now the Chief Operating Officer for one of the UK's biggest fruit farming businesses. We hear about the challenges of recruiting pickers from further and further afield. We've been looking at rural skills this week and today it's coppicing and charcoal. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

A special panel programme recorded in front of an audience at the Royal Welsh Show. Charlotte Smith discusses the future of agriculture in Wales with Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy president of NFU Cymru, Abi Reader and Rachel Sharp, director of Wildlife Trusts Wales.Produced by Beatrice Fenton.

What will this week's announcement by the Government on changes to the rules on planning permission for large scale housing projects and for solar farms on agricultural land mean for the countryside?The Welsh minister in charge of policy on climate change and rural affairs has drawn up new payment schemes for farmers to apply for as the EU's Common Agricultural Policy is replaced.And one of the country's large dairy processors is ending contracts with many smaller farms because it says they don't supply enough milk and there are welfare and sustainability concerns.A BBC Audio Bristol production presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Heather Simons

This week on the podcast, host Kim Thomson talks with Charlotte Smith. Char is a trained HGV mechanic, welding tutor and jeweller. She is passionate about foraging metals, giving new life to discarded items. Char is on a mission to help stop women from being intimidated by tools and to promote safe tool use and confidence.   Charlotte on Instagram Learn more about Jewellers Academy Watch this episode on YouTube Join the Jewellers Academy Facebook Group Find Jewellers Academy on Instagram and Facebook

Today, we look at why it has been raining in England and Wales so much recently - and how UK infrastructure copes during unusually wet periods.Why is this happening? What effect does heavy rainfall have on our industries and environment? And how can we adapt buildings and transport to better suit the UK's changing climate?Adam is joined by Countryfile and Farming Today presenter, Charlotte Smith, BBC weather presenter, Simon King and Chief Executive at the UK Green Building Council, Smith Mordak.And Chris Packham tells us how animals are getting on in this wet weather. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Gemma Roper and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.