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Farming Today: 03/10/2013

03/10/2013

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 03/10/2013

Charlotte Smith reports from the Dairy Show 2013 in Somerset.

Farming and countryside news. Milk prices, industry expansion and robotic milking machines - Charlotte Smith travels to Somerset to report from the Dairy Show 2013.

To grow or not to grow - Charlotte Smith listens to both sides of the big dairy debate at the Dairy Show 2013. The NFU wants UK farmers to invest in their businesses and increase milk production by four billion litres per year. Farmers for Action, however, preach caution, with chairman David Handley taking a warning from history: produce too much and run the risk of price drops.

Meanwhile, milk processor Arla announces a 1.5 pence per litre price increase. Is it enough for struggling dairy farmers? And Charlotte explores the high-tech equipment on sale at the showground, including a robotic milking machine. Starting at £100,000 a pop, she asks whether farmers have the confidence to invest their cash in robots.

And the young dairy farmers of the future - we hear how they plan to make their dream of owning a farm a reality.

Presented by Charlotte Smith. Produced by Anna Jones.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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03/10/2013

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