Farming Today This Week
The latest news about food, farming and the countryside. Charlotte Smith explores the science behind the spread of Schmallenberg, a new virus harming UK livestock.
Schmallenberg virus was never heard of before last summer. Now over 3,000 animals across Europe have this disease which causes birth defects in lambs and calves.
Charlotte Smith visits the Royal Veterinary College's farm in Hertfordshire, which has two cases of Schmallenberg in their lambs. Professor Peter Mertens explains why midges are thought to be carrying the virus over the Channel, and Dr Matt Horte from the Met Office shows the models they are using to discover where the midges flew to.
Anna Hill meets a vet who has been dealing with Schmallenberg in cattle in Norfolk. Dr Alejandro Thiermann from the World Organisation for Animal Health warns that next year Schmallenberg could affect even more animals. And Professor Matthew Baylis from Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals predicts that the UK could be seeing more midge borne viruses in the future.
Presented by Charlotte Smith. Produced by Emma Weatherill.
Last on
Broadcast
- Sat 10 Mar 201206:30BBC Radio 4
Farming Tomorrow: Another Country with James Rebanks
A document of the lives of rural workers in and around three English villages.
Farming Tomorrow: AI on the Farm
Charlotte Smith explores how artificial intelligence is transforming agriculture.
Farming Tomorrow: The Briefing Room asks How will climate change affect our farms?
Will we still be able to grow enough food as temperatures rise and rain patterns change?
Farming Tomorrow: Kiri's Farm
A stand-up comedian, a vegan and a farmer walk into a bar.
Podcast
![]()
Farming Today
The latest news about food, farming and the countryside
