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Farming Today: Machinery, Stilton, BBC Food & Farming Awards

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15/01/2018

Machinery, Stilton, BBC Food & Farming Awards

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Machinery, Stilton, BBC Food & Farming Awards

How is the rise of robotics changing the face of British farming?

As the government emphasises its commitment to investing in scientific innovation, Farming Today asks how robotics will change the face of British farming.

Robots and self-driving vehicles used to be the stuff of science fiction. Today, as the government promises greater investment in scientific innovation, these fantastical farm machines are already being tested in the fields. This week on Farming Today we're focusing on machinery: so how long before robots march onto the average farm? And what will that mean for the traditional farm workforce? Sybil Ruscoe asks Professor Simon Blackmore, Head of Robotic Agriculture at Harper Adams University in Shropshire. 

Stilton is one of the great, classic British cheeses - and it's made by just a handful of producers in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The Clarke family has been making traditional Red Leicester for a number of years and are now working to create a new Stilton. Ben Jackson went to Upton in Leicestershire to meet David Clarke and his son William

The search is on for this year's stars of food and farming, as nominations open for the 2018 BBC Food and Farming Awards. The seven categories include Best Food Producer, Best Drinks Producer, Countryfile Farming Hero, BBC Cook of the Year - and of course the Farming Today Future Food Award, which recognises innovation, ambition and forward-thinking in the food supply chain. We hear from food industry journalist Mike Stones, who's one of the judges.

All the details on how to nominate either yourself or someone else can be found online at bbc.co.uk/foodawards. Nominations close on Monday the 29th of January.

Presented by Sybil Ruscoe; produced by Lucy Taylor.

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