Farming Today

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

BBC Radio 4 LW

Farming Today: 02/01/24 Girls studying agriculture, Decarbonising pork production, Tweed

02/01/24 Girls studying agriculture, Decarbonising pork production, Tweed

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 02/01/24 Girls studying agriculture, Decarbonising pork production, Tweed

New figures show a sharp rise in girls studying agriculture at Scottish colleges.

New figures show a sharp rise in the number of girls studying agriculture at Scottish colleges. Pork producers take action to reduce their carbon footprint.

Labour shortages have long been a problem for agricultural businesses, but there may be some light at the end of the tunnel - with an unexpected rise in the number of teenage girls opting for farming as a career choice. Rural colleges in Scotland are reporting that around half of all agricultural students are now girls. We meet some of the latest intake.

Farmers and food processors are under increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, in the face of climate change.  Pilgrims, which produces nearly 30 percent of all UK pork on more than 300 farms, says it's made significant cuts to greenhouse gas emissions in its processing factories, while increasing sustainability on its farms. Anna Hill talks to the company's head of sustainability to find out what they've been doing to decarbonise the operation.

A Lake District tweed is being made using wool from the flock of sheep at the RSPB’s Wild Haweswater site. The design was inspired by a ‘re-wiggled’ river.

Presented by Anna Hill 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.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Farming Today

02/01/24 Girls studying agriculture, Decarbonising pork production, Tweed

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4