Your Farm and Mine

By BBC Radio UlsterScience

Your Farm and Mine episodes

August 01 Farm Technology, Harry Ferguson, and Open Farms
Shannon Porter joins Eve Blair in the studio to discuss all things farming, from the growing role of technology in agriculture to the importance of Open Farm Weekend in showcasing the work of local farmers, particularly family-run businesses, and strengthening connections between producers and the public.
Plus, Eve heads to Annahilt to meet John Barron and hear about the development of the Harry Ferguson Museum and its role in celebrating the area's rich agricultural heritage.
25 min
July 25 Climate Change, The Storytelling Project and Celebrity Livestock
Shannon Porter joins Eve Blair in the studio for a chat about all things farming, from the journey towards net zero in the agri-food sector to the Justlandz storytelling project, which is helping to shape the future of farming in Fermanagh.
Plus, Eve visits Hollow Farm in Downpatrick, where animals are trained for starring roles in television and film, and discovers how their four-legged performers are making a name for themselves on screen.
25 min
July 18 Farm Diversification, Mental Health & Wellbeing, and George's Eggs
Shannon Porter joins Eve Blair in the studio for a discussion about the changing face of farming. From the growing need for farms to diversify in challenging economic times to the surprising benefits of therapy donkeys and goat meditation.
Plus, Eve meets a young Co Antrim entrepreneur who's proving that age is no barrier to success, having built his own farm shop and thriving egg business from the ground up.
24 min
July 11 Women in Agriculture, The Value of Wool and Flock Across Waters
Shannon Porter from The Milk Bar in Carrigans, joins Eve Blair in the studio to talk about life in farming, from empowering women in sustainable agriculture to the importance of wool quality and sheep shearing.
Plus, Eve takes to the waters of Strangford Lough, hopping aboard a boat to help transport two loads of sheep from Salt Island to the mainland alongside tenant farmer Frankie McCullough.
26 min
July 04 Life after Retirement, Sheep Shearing Champion and Shorthorn Beef
David Irwin of Redhouse Holsteins in Dungannon joins Eve Blair in the studio to discuss all things farming, including the challenges facing older farmers and the important work being carried out by Rural Support through its 'Plough On' project.
Meanwhile, Helen Mark travels to Macosquin to meet sheep shearing champion Edwin Adam, a pioneer in the use of the electric clipper. Back in 1971, he made history as the first man from Ulster to become British Sheep Shearing Champion.
And Eve Blair also heads out to the Glenarm Estate to hear a farming success story first-hand, where she comes up close with their renowned Shorthorn beef cattle.
25 min
June 27 The Cost of Fertilizer, Comber Earlies and Hungarian Mangalitza Pigs
David Irwin of Redhouse Holsteins in Dungannon joins Eve Blair in the studio to discuss all things farming, including the impact of weather conditions and rising fertilizer costs on farming production.
Eve also catches up with farmer William Gilmore in Newtownards as he prepares to dig his first Comber potato crop of the season.
Plus, reporter Julian Fowler gets up close and personal with a herd of rare Hungarian woolly pigs.
25 min
June 20 The Cost of Fuel, Silage Season and Dorset Sheep
David Irwin of Redhouse Holsteins in Dungannon, joins Eve Blair in the studio for a lively discussion on all things farming, including how the rising cost of fuel is affecting everyday life on the farm.
Eve also catches up with Johnny Boggs from Gorthill Farm Contracting in Eglinton, climbing aboard one of his forage harvesters to see firsthand how the silage season is shaping up on the ground.
And she visits sheep farmer Joanne Killen, who has been kept busy during lambing season with her pedigree Dorset flock.
26 min
February 27 Miracle Calves and Social Farming
Lorraine Killen joins Eve Blair in the studio for a lively chat about all things farming. Plus, we head to the Moore farm near Castlederg for the once‑in‑several‑million surprise of five newborn calves, and to the Donnelly farm in Swatragh where diversification means wellbeing, inclusion and a whole lot of community spirit.
21 min
February 27 Farming for Nature and Luckpenny Traditions
Andrew Wright joins Eve Blair in the studio for a lively chat about all things farming. Plus, Eve visits the local mart in Lisahally to find out how the tradition of giving a luck penny after sealing a deal is being kept alive by farmers across Northern Ireland. And Helen Mark, meets up with Ballykelly farmer, Jonny Blair, on his farm cattle farm where he's made big changes that have cut costs and had huge environmental benefits.
22 min
February 27 Breeding Barn Owls and Farm Diversification
Lorraine Killen joins Eve Blair in the studio for a lively chat about all things farming. Plus, at Millbank Farm in County Down, Eve meets sixth generation farmer Emily McGowan, they have farmed the same land in Killinchy since 1889, rearing sheep, broiler chickens and Highland cows. And staying in Co Down, at the Kelly family farm at Ballyalton, Eve learns how a rare owl colony is thriving.
28 min

About Your Farm and Mine

From the publisher's feed

Eve Blair travels across Northern Ireland, meeting local farmers in every county to hear what matters most to the people who keep the countryside running, while experiencing both the challenges and…