Archive

In Northern Ireland, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)  is running a series of workshops to advise farmers on how to cope with spiraling costs.  Around 30 farmers attended an event hosted by Sam Chesney, at his beef and sheep farm, near Kircubbin, in County Down. Kathleen Carragher reports.   A report for BBC Radio 4's Farming Today Broadcast June 2022   Reporter: Kathleen Carragher Producer: John Deering   [audio...

In Lochaber near Fort William, fish farmers and anglers are working together to try to revitalise one of the most important salmon rivers in the West Highlands.  Jon Gibb,  fishery manager of the River Lochy Association, explained the project to Kathleen Carragher. A report for BBC Radio 4's Farming Today Broadcast June 2022   Reporter: Kathleen Carragher Producer: John Deering     [audio mp3="https://www.yamal.co.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/salmon-1.mp3"][/audio]      ...

Jubilee Farm in County Antrim, was set up four years ago as Northern Ireland's first Community Supported Agriculture venture. It recently hosted an Open Day to encourage others to find out more about this farming model.  Around 20 growers turned up for a tour. Kathleen Carragher joined them as they were shown around the farm which sells meat and vegetable boxes. A report for BBC Radio...

The Prince Charles Foundation is officially announcing, on Farming Today, plans for a new rural skills training centre at Dumfries House, in Ayrshire.  The two thousand acre estate, one of the west of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions, already runs courses on work opportunities in areas like textiles and catering.    The rural skills centre, which will open next year, wants to attract new entrants...

Ever since the NI Protocol came into operation in January 2021, getting goods into Northern Ireland from Great Britain, has added a layer of bureaucracy to the workload of transport firms.  Food and agri businesses are subject to the most stringent checks because of the EU's single market controls on foodstuffs.  Kathleen Carragher went down to Belfast port to the depot of one of the...

The protocol has meant change and upheaval for many farmers and agri-businesses in Northern Ireland. Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt is a small artisan producer in County Down – the only yoghurt maker in Northern Ireland. To find out how it has been affected, Kathleen Carragher met General Manager, Bryan Boggs at their farm and production unit. Report for BBC Radio 4's Farming Today Broadcast March 2022   Reporter: Kathleen Carragher Producer:...

Many of Belfast's historic linen mills have been turned into business parks or community enterprises.   A new events space and artisan food centre has opened recently in a derelict warehouse in the former Strand Mill in East Belfast.   It already houses a mushroom growing and cheese making business.  But why is it called the Banana Block?   Kathleen Carragher met programme manager, Claire Hall, to find...

The Oxford Farming Conference is coming up and one of the keynote speakers will be Simon Best, who was recently named UK Arable Farmer of the Year by Farmers Weekly.   Simon and his brother, Rory, farm 1200 acres at Acton House Farm in the drumlin countryside of County Armagh, in Northern Ireland. Kathleen Carragher visited the farm. Report for BBC Radio 4's Farming Today Broadcast February 2022   Reporter:...

Back in the 1970's native Irish Moiled cattle numbers had fallen to just 30. They've recovered to around a thousand across Ireland and the United Kingdom thanks to the efforts of the Rare Breeds farm at the Ulster Folk Museum and some dedicated local breeders.  Kathleen Carragher went to meet 27 year old Rachel Armour, who keeps a dozen Moiles on the family farm near...