Today programme special reports

BBC Radio 4's Today programme sent its reporter Dominic Arkwright to take a special look at the causes and consequences of the farming crisis.

In the first of a three part series, he goes to Cumbria to find out why farmers' problems are ruining farming communities, ruining farmers' lives and ruining the industry and all it supports.

Referring to the depression of farmers who cannot get out of the industry one farmer says: "I think you'll find the Samaritans getting a lot more work."

In his second special report, Dominic Arkwright considers just how and why British farmers are in such a mess.

With farmers shooting sheep and pigs that aren't worth taking to market, anyone who can get out of farming is doing so.

Farmers say there is nothing to hand on to their children, even if their children were interested.

In his final report, Dominic Arkwright looks at what the future may hold for farmers.