14/04/25 - vertical farm, red beetle, spring cows

The company behind one of the UK's biggest vertical farms has closed. The Jones Food Company which ran indoor farms in Scunthrope and Gloucestershire called in the recievers after failing to find new investors. 61 people have been made redundant. The search is on for a new backer. Vertical farms grow crops - mainly herbs and salad leaves - inside on shelving, using special lights to create a warm humid atmosphere which reduces growing time in comparison with conventionally grown crops.

Researchers at St Andrews University are looking at ways to prevent the growing problem of a beetle that burrows into stored grains and destroys them. The red flour beetle uses its tail to move into the grains, and researchers say if they can find a way to paralyse the tail, it would replace costly pesticide use.

Spring has sprung and this week we're looking at what's happening on the farm this season. Today we're on a farm in Worcestershire as the farmer lets his cows out to grass after the long winter.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Sally Challoner.