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Farming Today: 15/07/2022 - Pig industry consultation; Milk testing; Robotic weeding

15/07/2022 - Pig industry consultation; Milk testing; Robotic weeding

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 15/07/2022 - Pig industry consultation; Milk testing; Robotic weeding

Defra launches a UK-wide look at the pig industry supply chain.

Defra launches a UK-wide look at the pig industry supply chain; Could robots help in the shortage of farm labour crisis; Testing milk to check for pregnancy.

Defra has launched a UK-wide consultation into the pig industry supply chain - from farm, to processor to retailer.  It comes after a difficult few years, with labour and processor shortages, leading to pigs backed up on farm. The cost of production is also currently higher than the price farmers are being paid. 
We meet a Shropshire farmer where robots are now being used to weed between flowers. It comes as Defra urges farmers to use automation as part of a solution to labour shortages. 
And a look at one of the organisations that tests the UK's milk for quality and safety. The National Milk Laboratories also offers milk tests to find out if a cow is pregnant - vital knowledge in the production of milk. 
The presenter is Steffan Messenger.

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15/07/2022 - Pig industry consultation; Milk testing; Robotic weeding

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