30/05/26 - Farming Today This Week: pig supply chain problems, hot weather impacts and singing farmers

30/05/26 - Farming Today This Week: pig supply chain problems, hot weather impacts and singing farmers

From Farming Today by BBC Radio 4

May 30, 2026 · 25 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of extreme weather on farming, challenges faced by pig farmers, and features the Hawkstone Farmers Choir.

Its been a record breakingly hot week across much, though not all, of the UK, and that's brought probems for farmers, with crops struggling and livestock at risk of overheating. We ask what more extreme weather means for the future of British farming. Independent UK pig farmers face an uncertain future according to the National Pig Association, which this week called for long-term committements from retailers, processors and the foodservice sector. It comes two weeks after the supermarket Morrisons said it will stop buying pigs from some of its farmers, because of an oversupply of pig meat - blaming the 'challenging economic climate.' And we speak to the Hawkstone Farmers Choir ahead of their participation in the final of Britain's Got Talent. The choir is made up of farmers and others working in agriculture and was originally set up as part of an advertising campaign, but has since been using its growing fame to talk about mental health in farming. Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced by Heather Simons

People in this episode

Host: Charlotte Smith

Topics covered

  • pig supply chain
  • extreme weather
  • British farming
  • mental health in farming
  • livestock overheating
  • crops struggling

Keywords

  • pig supply chain
  • extreme weather
  • British farming
  • livestock
  • Hawkstone Farmers Choir
  • mental health

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Pig Association, Morrisons, Hawkstone Farmers Choir

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