
02/12/24 Feed additives to reduce methane, solar farms, agricultural labour
Critics say a supplement which reduces emissions from dairy cows shouldn't be added to animal feed, even though it's been approved by scientists and regulators.
Arla, the farmer run dairy cooperative plans to reduce its emissions by 30% per kilo of milk by 2030. They’ve just started trials using a dietary supplement called Bovaer which is added to cow’s feed to reduce methane emissions. The trial involves around 30 farmers and 3 supermarkets who buy their milk. However, even though the feed supplement has been approved by UK and European food safety bodies there’s been a social media storm of protest, some people calling for the boycott of Arla products because they don’t think it should be used. Some other milk suppliers have been guaranteeing they don’t use it. We ask a dairy analyst what all the fuss is about.
We’re talking agricultural labour all this week on Farming Today. Horticulture relies heavily on the Government’s Seasonal Worker Scheme which means it can recruit overseas workers on short term contracts. We ask British Growers how well the current scheme's working for fruit and veg producers.
Tenant farmers in East Yorkshire say they could be facing eviction to make way for a large solar farm. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has been told that at least eight farms that lease land from The Dalton Estate, north of Beverley, had been notified of the proposals. Farmers said the solar project could cover at least four square miles and would be a "bombshell" to families who've farmed in the area for generations.
Presenter = Caz Graham
Producer = Rebecca Rooney
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