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Farming Today: 24/01/2012

24/01/2012

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 24/01/2012

Anna Hill learns how the UK is changing the world's crops by quickly developing new breeds

Anna Hill learns how the UK is changing the world's crops by quickly developing new breeds.

The UK is changing the world's crops by quickly developing new breeds. Last year's tsunami has made Japanese farmland very salty, which stops the crops growing properly. Dr Brande Wulff explains to Anna Hill how the Sainsbury Laboratory in Norfolk is speeding up how long it takes to breed new varieties of plants by mutating their genes.

Shadow Environment Secretary, Mary Creagh MP, calls for supermarkets to have stronger restrictions under an adjudicator. She thinks that supermarkets should be fined if they mistreat farmers and that healthy foods should be part of supermarket special offers.

It has been an unseasonably mild winter. Angela Frain visits Lower Smite Farm in Worcestershire to hear how this has been good news for birds.

And preparations are under way for this year's tractor pulling competitions. Andy Miller, Chairman of the British Tractor Pullers Association, explains how this unusual sport works.

Presented by Anna Hill. Produced by Emma Weatherill.

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