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 What’s on Edition 41 of Dorset and Somerset Farm Radio – www.farmradio.org.uk
THE FUTURE of the livestock industry could hang on just one factor - that could be how seriously the threat of Blue Tongue disease is taken by the industry itself. In edition 41 of Farm Radio, Geoff Pagotto hears from Farmers Weekly livestock editor Jonathan Long, National Sheep Association chief executive Peter Morris, vet Robert Ankcorn, auctioneer Robert Venner, exporter Mike Adams and farmers Gary Bag, Brian Griffiths and Clifford Williams.
And guest correspondent Tom Levitt, who writes for Farmers Guardian, went to speak to Professor Philip Mellor of the Institute for Animal Health to find out what is the latest scientific thinking on Blue Tongue.
Farm Radio – www.farmradio.org.uk - is an internet station aimed at small family farms in Dorset and Somerset, and anyone who is interested in the countryside. It is run by rural media charity Trilith and programmes are made by professional journalists and volunteers.
Other items in this edition are: EBLEX Beef Producers Workshop 1 - The Producers
How do beef producers see their future in the light of growing feed costs? Geoff Pagotto investigated at an EBLEX beef producers workshop in Taunton, where he met Richard Chamberlain from Kingston St Mary, Julian Nelson from Boscastle, Dave and Carol Manning from Churchingford and a milk producer from Bridgwater who was considering starting finishing and selling his own beef on his milk round.
EBLEX Beef Producers Workshop 2 - The Experts
The combination of a wet summer and cereal prices going through the roof means that winter feeding is going to be painful for livestock producers, Dr Phil Hadley and independent nutritionist Liz Clarke ran a workshop in Taunton to offer help, Geoff Pagotto went along.
Masseria Il Frantoio
Farm Radio’s Margery Hookings stopped off in Puglia in southern Italy on an epic journey to Greece in an old VW Beetle. She and her husband stopped off at Masseria Il Frantoio (which means olive press) for lunch. The converted farmhouse stands among 72 hectares of olive trees, carob, oak and Mediterranean scrub just off the main coast road between Ostuni and Fasano, in the province of Brindisi. The masseria is run by Armando Balestrazzi and his wife Rosalba, whose cooking skills are famed far and wide. The couple fell in love with the place in the early 1990s and converted it into a guest house, offering bed, breakfast and a fantastic feast. After enjoying a lovely meal, Margery is shown around the estate by Giuseppe Baron, who works at the masseria.
Lee Heard - Bodger
The next in Farm Radio’s Tales from the Wood. Lee Heard is keen to join the growing ranks of Bodgers in Dorset. His father Terry is a lifelong, respected and established wood craftsman. But as Geoff Pagotto found out Lee's ambitions could outstrip his father's, provided he can get a good supply of wood. It's wood supply that seems to be holding back this once huge rural craft.
Mark Pike - Fungus Forager
The second item this month from Tales in the Wood. Fungi Forays are slowly getting more popular in this country and as Geoff Pagotto finds out, there are plenty of delicious native fungi to choose from as he talks to expert Mark Pike from the Dorset Fungus Group. George Holmes
George Holmes of Littlewood Farm, Frampton moved his dairy herd from Sussex five years ago and has had a love hate relationship with his Dorset chalk-land ever since. Now with a little help from Somerset based soil Guru, Jo Scammel, he is seeing remarkable results, as Geoff Pagotto found out.
Drimpton Potato Day
Potato days are becoming increasingly popular in Dorset and Somerset. Farm Radio’s Margery Hookings meets Brian Hesketh, from Clapton, Wayford and District Horticultural Society at a Potato Fay at Drimpton Village Hall to find out what it’s all about.
Peter Jack
More than 800 dairy herds were eligible to enter the 2007 Dairy Gold Cup. And after coming in the top six the previous year, Peter Jack from Normandy Farm at Winterborne Stickland near Blandford brought home the second prize this time. Peter’s from a long line of farmers going back 400 years, and he told Ali Grant about some of his family history
Owen Yeatman’s Digestor
It’s not only at Ambridge that anaerobic digestors are the thing of the moment! Joss Vining talks to Owen Yeatman about his project.
Goldie’s New Shop
Jenny Goldsack's latest farm shop just outside Wareham is showing a fresh approach to the farm shop brand. Geoff Pagotto met their only import, Australian butcher Mac, their baker, Mark (a local boy) and hears how Goldies could change the fortunes of enterprising Dorset farmers.
 Lucy Jones
Lucy Jones is a registered medical herbalist based in the Dorset village of Cattistock. She runs the Myrobalan (pronounced Mirrobalaan) Clinic from her home and uses local organic farms as her source of medicinal plants. She takes Farm Radio’s Margery Hookings to a field where she gathers wild thyme. Incidentally, Lucy is keen to find a source of shepherd’s purse and would like to hear from listeners if they know of a suitable spot
Arthur Watson Part 1
Restauranteur, Arthur Watson, from West Bay talks about the local fishing activities. This interview was recorded by James Crowden as part of the production of his book, Dorset Man. Brymore School Discussion
This is the second part of a live discussion, with an audience, at the unique Brymore School at Cannington. The panel consisted of members of the school’s own young farmers’ club and was chaired by the manager of the school farm.
Christmas Turkeys
For most people the season of goodwill means getting the tree decorated and the preparations for Christmas lunch dealt with, whilst rushing around the shops desperately trying to finish off the hunt for Christmas presents.
But when your job also involves plucking and dressing 100 turkeys in time for Christmas Day, the days of Advent take on a very different feel!
Roger and Jane Coombes, who farm at Milton, near Martock, and are continuing a practice their respective families have enjoyed for generations.
It seems they’ve been raising turkeys for as long as anyone can remember at Milton Farm, and the tradition looks set to survive as the whole family mucks in to insure customers aren’t kept waiting for their Christmas bird.
Guest correspondent, James Harrison reports.
John Alvis, Part 2
Continuing Farm Radio’s interview with John Alvis, who spoke at dairy dinner on the eve of the delayed South West Dairy Event held in January 2008 at Shepton Mallet, Geoff Pagotto hears what John believes the future holds for dairy farmers and particularly the situation with organic milk.
Orchard Old Spots
For Mark and Sue Tutton, the chance to buy a neighbouring cider orchard confirmed their earlier decision to swap city life for a slower, more relaxed existence in Somerset.
And the move not only meant an improved quality of life for the Tuttons and their three children, it also allowed them to contribute to the growing demand for locally produced food.
With their award -winning produce fast-gaining a solid reputation, it seems the two former sales personnel are assured an exciting future, although they both fully realise that living the rural dream also comes with its pitfalls...
Somerset Rural Renaissance
This is an introduction to the work of Somerset Rural Renaissance. Somerset Rural Renaissance is an investment programme to help re-vitalise the rural economy in the county of Somerset. Funds are provided by the South West Regional Development Agency and allocated by the Somerset Rural Renaissance Partnership. Trevor Bailey of Farm Radio talks to scheme manager Paul Chadwick.
Somerset Rural Renaissance - Coleridge Way
Interviews with Project Manager Alan Martingell and an equestrian business benefiting from the newly opened Coleridge Bridle Way. Somerset Rural Renaissance has provided an investment of £92,000 over two years towards the development and promotion of the new combined long distance footpath and bridle path.
Somerset Rural Renaissance - Exmoor Rural Skills Workshop
Interviews with young people working with Somerset Rural Youth Project on Exmoor. Somerset Rural Renaissance has provided an investment of £91,000 over two years for this initiative.
Somerset Rural Business Support Service
Interviews with Duncan Palmer, the owner of a successful farm enterprise at Bowerhinton. Duncan was advised and assisted by the Somerset Rural Business Support Service - one of the projects funded by Somerset Rural Renaissance over two years.
Middlezoy Community Shop
Interviews with those behind the opening of this new community shop and post office and the issues surrounding rural post offices. Somerset Rural Renaissance has provided capital funds of £16,000 through the Access to Services Programme to help this initiative.
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