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Farming Today: 09/02/2012

09/02/2012

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 09/02/2012

You're Hired - farming apprenticeships are booming.

Charlotte Smith discovers apprenticeships in agriculture are booming, but there is still a need for more young farmers.

Apprenticeships in agriculture are booming. Last year there were 1,690 more apprentices than the year before - a 22% increase. 17 year old Ben Carvill is an apprentice in Truro, he thinks his apprenticeship is giving him increased job prospects. But with a minimum wage of just £2.60 an hour, Charlotte Smith asks his boss, farmer Philip Pryor, whether apprenticeships offer more than just cheap labour. Despite an increase in the numbers of young people signing up to farm apprenticeships, other industries have schemes which are expanding more rapidly. The skills council Lantra tells Farming Today that 52,000 more people are still needed to ensure UK food supplies in the future.

The new Schmallenberg virus is spreading across Europe with over 600 farms now affected. The disease causes birth defects in sheep and cattle. The Netherlands appear to have the most reported cases of this disease with around 350 farms affected. Professor Wim Vanderboel from the Central Veterinary Institute explains why the Netherlands are the only EU country to make farmers report the disease to the authorities. Meanwhile, back in the UK, Angela Frain shelters from the cold in a lambing shed in Warwickshire, where vet Nick Blayney explains which other problems can affect sheep whilst lambing.

Presented by Charlotte Smith. Produced by Emma Weatherill.

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