07/02/2012

Synopsis

Eggs produced from non-caged hens are outselling caged eggs for the first time in decades. Just over half of all eggs sold in the UK in 2011 came from organic, free range or barn systems - compared to around 14% of the market in 1995. The British Egg Industry Council says producers have responded to consumer demand.

The snow and cold weather has not slowed down the number of new arrivals on one Shropshire sheep farm. Emma Weatherill is in the warmth of the barn with some of the 200 early lambs on Richard Yates' farm. These lambs will be ready for the Easter market, whilst his second crop of lambs due in a month are timed for an autumn or winter sale. The cold snap could be disastrous for the lambs if they catch a chill and the farmer needs to take extra care of them to keep them alive and well.

And Charlotte Smith catches up with former BBC Farmer of the Year Jon Birchill at his new farm in Kent - and it's weigh in day for some of his Aberdeen cattle.

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