Farming Today - 13/05/26 Pig supply, Northumberland National Park, profitability of farms in Northern Ireland
The supermarket Morrisons has given notice to some of its pig farmers, because of an oversupply in the market. In a statement, Morrisons said it has to reduce the number of pig producers in its supply chain because of the challenging economic climate. An industry expert explains why the market's taken a downturn and how there are too many pigs and not enough space on farm as farmers struggle to sell their livestock.
Last year, a survey by the consumer group Which? voted Northumberland National Park the best in the country, with its history peace and facilities all scoring highly. However, it’s also among the least visited and that’s something the park’s former CEO Tony Gates has spent 20 years trying to change, while arguing with the government over the park’s funding.
All week we’re looking at the particular challenges of farming in Northern Ireland as farmers head to the Balmoral Show. Farming in Northern Ireland is heavily livestock-based: 80% of farms have beef or sheep and 10% are dairy. The average farm size is very small, less than 40 hectares, which is about half the size of an average farm in England. Agriculture is devolved, and Stormont decides its own policies, including the post-Brexit system for farm subsidies. We speak to an agricultural economist from Queen's University Belfast,
Presenter: Anna Hill
Producer: Rebecca Rooney
Published on Wednesday, 13th May 2026.
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