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Cattle rustling, Dry weather, Milk prices, Angora goats

Northern Ireland has seen a huge rise in cattle thefts, up by 100 per cent in two years. It has also been the driest September since 1960; what does that mean for farmers?

Cattle thefts in Northern Ireland have doubled over the last two years, according to figures released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Nearly one thousand cattle were stolen in 2013-14, compared to 500 the year before. The Deputy President of the Ulster Farmers' Union tells Charlotte Smith how bad the situation has got.

Milk prices are falling again. Are we likely to see protests? Charlotte takes the temperature of the industry, with an independent dairy analyst.

The first half of September was the driest since 1960, according to the Met Office. For farmers, that means difficulty establishing crops such as wheat and barley, especially on sandy soils. Anna Hill has been to talk to one farmer in Suffolk, who's keeping his fingers crossed for rain.

And Farming Today visits a farm rearing angora goats, as part of a week-long look at textiles produced on UK farms for the fashion industry.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Emma Campbell.

13 minutes

Broadcast

  • Fri 26 Sep 2014 05:45

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