Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Farming Today

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

BBC Radio 4 FM

Farming Today: Hands-Free Harvest, Willow Weaving and Ancient Farming

08/09/2017

Hands-Free Harvest, Willow Weaving and Ancient Farming

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Hands-Free Harvest, Willow Weaving and Ancient Farming

The world's first hands-free harvest has been gathered thanks to drones and robots.

The future of farming has arrived with harvest on the world's first hands-free hectare. Plus Scotland's flourishing willow crop and the secrets of our ancient farming ancestors.

The first harvest gathered at a special arable plot in Shropshire has given the world a glimpse at the future of farming. The hands-free hectare at Harper Adams University is an experimental field of barley sown, grown and harvested by robots and drones alone. The crop will now be sent for malting to create the first hands-free beer.

Willow weaving is one of the oldest country crafts and in Scotland it's playing a part in the revival of another tradition. Highland ponies have returned to some large estates to accompany shooting parties in the hills. Now the animals are equipped with panniers made of willow which has been grown and woven by Karen Collins in Moray. 

Long-lost secrets of the ancient farming world have been revealed by using one of the most advanced technologies. Archaeologists are working with scientists at Harwell in Oxfordshire where a giant particle accelerator, the synchrotron, is looking inside seeds which are thousands of years old to discover how they've adapted over the centuries. 

Presented by Charlotte Smith.
Produced by Vernon Harwood.

BBC Radio 4

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Farming Today

Hands-Free Harvest, Willow Weaving and Ancient Farming

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4