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Farming Today: Farming Today This Week - Livestock markets

Farming Today This Week

15/04/2017

Farming Today This Week - Livestock markets

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Farming Today This Week - Livestock markets

Sybil Ruscoe looks at the UK's livestock auctions on their 200th anniversary.

Sybil Ruscoe visits the cattle market at Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire on the 200th anniversary of the UK's first-ever livestock auction.

2017 sees the 200th anniversary of the UK's first ever livestock market, which was held in Hawick in the Scottish Borders in 1817. In this programme, Sybil Ruscoe visits the livestock market at Ross-on-Wye, where cattle and sheep are regularly auctioned. She hears about the history of the market, and meets both auctioneers and farmers to find out about the importance of the market to the local community. Since the mid 1990s, many livestock markets have closed, unable to recover after the impact of BSE and then Foot and Mouth disease. But, as Sybil finds out, some are still thriving. She asks how they will cope with the challenges which may come their way in the years ahead. In an age when cattle, like anything else, can be sold online - what future is there for the traditional livestock auction?

Presented by Sybil Ruscoe and produced by Emma Campbell.

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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