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Harvest 2016 results, Tree planting, Russians buying Guernsey ice cream

The first results of harvest 2016 are in, and wheat yields are down 12 per cent. In contrast, Russia has seen a successful harvest, keeping global prices low. With Sybil Ruscoe.

The first results for harvest 2016 have been released, and yields are down across much of the UK. Provisional figures from Defra show wheat is down 12% and barley down 10% on last year. It reflects a poor harvest in other parts of Europe and comes just as Russia's grain exports are growing.

All this week we're looking at trees - they're a valuable source of home-grown timber, they can store carbon, are home to wildlife, absorb pollution and trees are vital for preventing flooding. Last year the government pledged to plant 11 million trees during this parliament. But the Woodland Trust says tree planting is at its lowest level for a generation.

And Vernon meets a dairy farmer who's in talks with the Russians who've got a taste for Guernsey milk and ice cream and want to import some of our dairy cows.

Presented by Sybil Ruscoe and produced by Sally Challoner.

13 minutes

Broadcast

  • Mon 10 Oct 2016 05:45

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