Farming Programme

The return of the Lincolnshire Show this week - we talk to the organiser and the show's youngest ever exhibitor! The government's food strategy was published a few days ago to a mixed response - is there a silver lining in the cloud? Ten weeks after a direct drill day pitted several machines against each other, how do they compare? Plus market reports and the weather for the coming week.

LRSN, Virgin Money and the CLA all have something important to say on this week's programme. Plus timely agronomy advice, crop and market reports and the weather for the week to come.

We talk potatoes and heat stress, the Wolds Tractor Run and look back at the life and huge contribution of an influential figure in the world of farming and the environment who passed away a few days ago. Plus crop and market reports and the week's weather.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel for the pig sector? Still thinking about taking part in Open Farm Sunday? All you need to know on this week's podcast, plus market reports and we're in conversation with the ew NFU Vice-President, David Exwood.

Why is the egg sector the latest to be in crisis? What are Lincolnshire Young Farmers up to? We'll find out on this week's podcast, plus look at some exciting new farm tech and get the crop, livestock and grain market reports.

The government published its 'Levelling up the rural economy' committee report this week - does it deliver what we're hoping for? We'll look ahead to the Newark Show, plus we have agronomy advice, crop, livestock and grain market reports, the weather for the week to come and details of a vintage tractor run taking place in Lincolnshire.

Is direct drilling the way to go? How do you decide which manufacturer? We hear of agri costs spiraling upwards, but do the facts bear this out? How has lambing gone and how are the markets and crops performing? Lots of questions! The answers on this week's Farming Programme.

Important news if you abstract water; how to prevent diesel theft from farms; Morrisons are hiring more cattle finishers; and a new process to better establish rape seed. Plus crop, livestock and grain market reports. And HAPPY EASTER!

Good news this week around muckspreading and the use of Urea. We look back to the recently completed sugar beet campaign and ahead to Easter visitors. Plus crop, livestock and grain reports.

Weather, nitrogen alternatives, direct drilling, LEAF Open Farm Sunday and Countryside Lincs on this week's podcast. Plus market reports and the weather for the week to come.

We look at a new mowing system designed to protect bugs, insects and small creatures as well as helping wildflowers to bloom again at the roadside. We'll hear about some upcoming events benefitting local and farming charities that you and I can support. Plus timely advice from our crop doctor, market reports and the weather for the week to come.

What to do with those old household batteries - turn them into fertiliser! We'll hear about electric quad bikes, automating lettuces and breeding flies for feed. Plus agronomy, market reports and the weather for the week to come.

Will the new red diesel rules affect you? We've a critical food safety message, plus agronomy advice, market reports and the weather for the week. How many of us fully understand the transition from BPS to ELMS? We've have help in the form of a CLA roadshow. And we'll hear all about a school farm garden near Boston.

What effect could the extra salt as a result of rising sea levels have on our soil and crops? Why were so many tractors in school playgrounds and so many people at Newark Showground last week? The answers, plus agronomy, market reports and the week's farming weather on the Farming Programme.

A bit of an educational theme this week as we hear about a food, farming and environment schools challenge, an agricultural apprentice open event and we'll learn what we can expect from Cereals as it returns to Duxford this summer. Plus livestock and grain market reports and why am I going back on a diet?!

If you're an AHDB levy payer, or a farmer thinking of retirement, or any other kind of farmer, it's important you listen to this week's Farming Programme. Plus agronomy advice, concerns over glyphosate supply, market reports, farming news and weather.

A report from the pig sector crisis meeting with Defra, the launch of a very important campaign to promote better mental health in agriculture and part two of our visit to a vertical farm growing millions of basil plants, all year round. Plus timely agronomy advice, market reports and the weather for the week to come.

If you eat basil, there's a good chance it was grown in an old industrial unit in Scunthorpe - Steve pays a visit to a vertical farm. The Big Farmland Bird Count returns for its 9th year. Plus agronomy, market reports, farming news and weather.

We look ahead to Tractors into Schools, consider a serious potato problem and look at the support available to the farming and country community in these stressful times. Plus agronomy, the livestock and grain market reports and the week's farming weather.

Is including livestock in the arable rotation a possible solution to black grass? We look forward to Open Farm Sunday, which launches this week and Sean Sparling is back with agronomy and a report from the AICC conference. Plus livestock and grain market reports and the weather for the week to come.