Competitions, world-class livestock, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, food and drink.... you name it, the Royal Welsh Show has it all! Celebrating the Society’s 120th anniversary this year, there will be special displays, a new horticultural tent and the poultry are back! Kicking off BBC Radio Wales' coverage for the week ahead, Country Focus presenter Caroline Evans is joined by BBC Wales' Environment and Rural Affairs Correspondent, Steffan Messenger to look ahead at this year's "Sioe Fawr ..read more

Ahead of this year's Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, we talk to the Welsh Government's Climate and Rural Affairs minister, Huw Irranca Davies about policy, farm protests and the future for agriculture in Wales. People are being asked to avoid the River Irfon, near Builth Wells over fears of a suspected case of 'crayfish plague'. The Wye catchment, including the River Irfon, is a key habitat for the white-clawed crayfish. The plague is harmless to humans but it is a highly infectious disease that is fatal to the crustacean that is already under threat from the non native crayfish. We visit a new ..read more

Pembrokeshire Creamery is the UK's first new dairy for 15 years and it's aim is to reduce food miles and increase supply chain efficiency. It will have the capacity to bottle 60 million litres of milk in its initial 12-18 month phase, building to 120 million litres per year when it reaches full capacity. Caroline Evans tours around the facility and through the stages of milk production to find out what this new venture means for the Welsh dairy industry ..read more

Farming and environmental groups call on politicians to commit to a major increase in funding for the agricultural sector ahead of the General Election. We hear from BBC Wales' Environment correspondent, Steffan Messenger. We hear about the remarkable natural phenomena of insect migration through a Pyrenean mountain pass. Insect migration scientist, Dr Will Leo Hawkes, explains how migrating flies could help in the face of climate change. Rodney’s Pillar - an update on the campaign to save an iconic landmark near Llanymynech, on the Welsh border. We escape to the Skerries for our Red listed bi ..read more

In 1823, geologists investigating mammoth remains in Gower found a partial human skeleton, bones heavily stained with red ochre and surrounded a wealth of grave goods including shell beads and carved ivory. Two hundred years on, Tourism Swansea Bay is exploring new ways of the celebrating the legacy of this important find, what came to be known as the Red Lady of Paviland. The project will explore Gower's rich palaeolithic and neolithic sites with walks and places to visit, culminating with the Red Lady Festival at the Gower Heritage Centre 22nd June 2024. Caroline Evans takes a walk back in t ..read more

At the 'Tŷ Te' Tea Hub in the village of Trimsaran, the local community gather together weekly for a chat over a good cup of tea! Hosted by Tetrim Teas, a Welsh family business based in the Gwendraeth Valley, is a not-for-profit, wellbeing and ethical tea company. Caroline Evans joins them at the community centre in Trimsaran and hears how they're developing Rhubarb tea and mushroom teas. And they're not the only ones that think tea grown and made in Wales, has a future. In the hills above Knighton, Mandy Lloyd, who seems to relish the challenge of growing tea in less than favourable condition ..read more

Since 2007, Fishing for Schools has taken young people out of the classroom and into the countryside but it's more than getting them hooked on fishing. Founded by fly fisherman Charles Jardine it gives children a chance to learn outdoors, connect with nature and gain new skills and confidence. Caroline Evans joins children from Alway primary school, Newport, Gwent at the nearby Llyswerry Ponds for a lesson in Fishing ..read more

Dancing with Daffodils project - trials are to begin next month using an extract from daffodils, to feed to cows, with the aim of reducing livestock methane emissions and transform the efficiency and sustainability of ruminant farming. We hear how the Chinese Mitten Crab has established itself in the Dee estuary and has now been confirmed in the Conwy estuary. The crab is one of a number of invasive non-native species (INNS) that are on the increase and pose a threat to biodiversity. and at the Oak and Smoke Tannery in Ceredigion, we meet Jane Robertson who uses natural tanning methods to prod ..read more

Concern over the 'worrying' state of nature in our national parks in Wales. The Campaign for National Parks calls for urgent action to halt and reverse biodiversity declines so National Parks can properly contribute to the UK’s efforts in tackling the nature and climate crisis. The annual Hay literature festival begins and not to miss out on Country Focus, we've a book selection for you! "Tir: The Story of the Welsh Landscape" discusses the relationship between land and people in Wales. We speak to the author, ecologist Carwyn Graves. ....and for our red-listed, Bird of Conservation Concern th ..read more

Welsh Farmers Unite - a new grassroots organisation organises a march in Cardiff this Tuesday, to highlight the threat to our food security and what they perceive as anti-farming policies. We speak to one of the organisers. We also hear from a group of farmers called Digon yw Digon, or Enough is Enough campaign about their meeting with the Welsh Government's Climate change and Rural Affairs minister The mental health lorry providing a safe haven for farmers to share their struggles and receive support . The DPJ Foundation drives a lorry to the marts and shows in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshi ..read more