21/05/21 - The challenges of autonomous robots, Nigel Owens takes on a farm and managing people in nature

There's a lot of excitement around the use of autonomous robots on farms - particularly in fruit and veg production. But researchers at the Universities of Reading and Lincoln are now sounding a note of caution about the social, legal and ethical issues involved.

The international rugby referee, Nigel Owens, has now bought a small farm in the Gwendraeth Valley in Carmarthenshire. In his refereeing career, he made history as the first professional ref to oversee a hundred test matches, before retiring last year. He's also spoken out candidly about his experience of being the sport’s first openly gay personality, and the mental health issues he overcame as a young man coming to terms with his sexuality. Anna Jones visits the farm and meets his pedigree Hereford cattle.

And the RSPB has reported a record breeding season for many threatened species on their reserves in 2020. So as lockdown eases, how do we manage people's increased interest in visiting the countryside while protecting the flourishing of nature.

Presented by Sybil Ruscoe
Produce in Bristol by Heather Simons