First national broadcast of prices for farmers

The week of 20th of February 1925 saw the announcement of new national radio services which were intended to be of interest to rural workers but came to be enjoyed by general listeners as part of the radio landscape. There was a new morning weather forecast, but more importantly a weekly summary - prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture - of farm produce prices in the home markets. These were introduced as a useful civic service for a section of the audience.

The market prices for farmers were an addition to the regular Farmers' Talks. These appeared amongst the specialised talks that comprised a fair proportion of early radio broadcasts, and made no allowance for the general listener. Typical talks for farmers at the time included Ducks for Egg Production, Experiments on the Manuring of Roots in Dorset, Phosphatic Manures for Spring Use, and one on the Agricultural Holdings Act 1923.

Farming programmes on radio developed over the years, including On Your Farm and Farming Today. These programmes served and reflected the agricultural community, whilst developing a following amongst politicians and general listeners, providing a glimpse of rural life for wistful urban dwellers.