Farming Today - 28/04/2026 Cornish fishing strategy; agroforestry - trees and pasture; potato surplus

28/04/2026 Cornish fishing strategy; agroforestry - trees and pasture; potato surplus

Download 28/04/2026 Cornish fishing strategy; agroforestry - trees and pasture; potato surplus

A new collaboration has been set up between scientists and the fishing industry in Cornwall, to integrate scientific research with the real experience of fishers. Assessing current fish stocks and how not to damage them, has often been a point of contention between the two, but now it's hoped that the Cornwall Fisheries Science Board will lead the way for a similar approach nationwide.

All week we're taking a closer look at agro-forestry, today we visit a farm in Shropshire which has created silvo-pasture - growing trees on the pasture used by livestock. Tim Downes says the health of his 300 organic dairy cows has improved, since he planted willow trees and walnuts.

Some potato farmers are struggling to find a market for their crop, one grower in Cambridgeshire is donating tonnes of spuds he can't sell to a food bank. It seems there is an over-supply of potatoes after a very successful growing season last year. It's not just in the UK but across Europe too. As war in the Middle East pushes up the cost of fuel, fertiliser and energy, will farmers bother planting potatoes this spring?

Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Published on Tuesday, 28th April 2026.

Available Podcasts from Farming Today

Subscribe to Farming Today

We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the Farming Today webpage.