31/01/2012

Synopsis

Vets says it is possible that thousands of animals could be infected with Schmallenberg's disease, which causes birth defects in lambs and calves. The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) says it is expecting to confirm more cases as the lambing season continues. On the programme today, Anna Hill talks to one of the vets who diagnosed the disease in Norfolk.

The cost of land in some parts of the UK is reaching around £10 thousand per acre. The strong market is great news if you are selling but for the young farmers wanting to get into the industry it means their choices of where, how and what they farm shrink dramatically. 18 year old Matthew Sharp is new to farming and studying Agricultural Business at Newcastle University. He talks to Anna about what his options are for the future.

Also in the programme, the National Farmers' Union in Wales says it's fed up of waiting for an announcement on a proposed badger cull. A similar pilot cull has been given the go ahead in two parts of England. The Welsh Environment Minister is reviewing a report on the science behind the idea and is expected to make an announcement soon.

This programme is presented by Anna Hill and produced in Birmingham by Angela Frain.