BBC Farmwatch returns with Archers collab and brand-new ‘Mooscast’ milking parlour livestream

BBC Farmwatch returns this July across the BBC, shining a spotlight on England’s farming communities. On Thursday 30 July, farmers will once again take centre stage across BBC Local exploring the people, places and challenges shaping modern farming.

This year, on BBC Local as the cost of living becomes more and more of an issue for audiences, we will look at the cost of our food including a special “Burgerflation” investigation, as we reveal what it really costs a family to enjoy a barbecue. Plus, with the second consecutive summer of drought, we will be reflecting the increasing challenges facing farmers in such extreme weather conditions.

Audiences will also be able to experience farming as it happens with our new ‘Mooscast’, where we livestream cows as they walk from the field to the milking parlour. Alongside this, presenters from BBC Local Radio stations will be taking part in Farm Swap, getting hands‑on experience of what it is like to work on a farm in their local areas. And to close out the day, Harriet Cowan (Clarkson’s Farm) and Joe Seels, a beef and arable farmer turned YouTuber are hosting a dedicated all-England evening show on all 39 BBC Local Radio stations.

In a first for BBC Local Radio, we will be joining forces with Radio 4’s The Archers to celebrate rural life in a simultaneous broadcast of that night’s episode. Jeremy Howe, Editor of The Archers, said: “The Archers is the world’s longest-running continuing drama and has always celebrated life and farming in rural England, ever since it began 75 years ago. We are delighted to join up with BBC Local Radio’s epic Farmwatch Day. For the first time ever, BBC Local Radio will join with BBC Radio 4 and simultaneously broadcast this evening’s (30th July’s) specially written episode of The Archers across all thirty-nine local radio stations in a wonderful coming together of One BBC to celebrate life in rural Britain.”

Chris Burns, Head of Local Audio Commissioning, said: “BBC Farmwatch is a celebration of all things farming, the people, the passion and the vital role farming plays in all our lives. BBC Local is uniquely placed to deliver Farmwatch and we look forward to bringing these authentic stories to our listeners."

BBC Farmwatch begins on Thursday 30 July on BBC Local Radio and across the BBC.

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