Ed Tate’s farm, bordered by the River Severn in north Shropshire, is facing unprecedented flooding this year. He notes that about 20% of his wheat crops have failed, covered in water that has turned once-green fields into muddy pools. The off-road vehicle struggles through the saturated fields as rain continues to fall.
“This winter has been the worst in living memory due to the extended period of wet weather and failing crops,” says Tate, who has managed his 800-acre farm near Shrewsbury for 20 years.
The severe conditions are causing significant financial losses and may force him to make staff redundancies. While some crops may break even, others might drive farms to the brink of collapse.
Rory Lay’s farm struggles with severe financial losses due to unprecedented crop failures.Met Office records show that from October 2022 to March 2024, England experienced the highest rainfall for any 18 months since 1836. This has devastated crop yields: wheat is expected to drop by 15%, winter barley by 22%, and oilseed rape by 28%, the worst decline since the 1980s.
Rory Lay, who runs a 1,200-acre farm north of Shrewsbury, faces similar hardships. “We’ve lost tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of pounds,” he says. The relentless rain has worn out his waterproofs and affected morale, with his father, nearing retirement, also noting unprecedented crop loss.
Despite a government recovery fund for areas hit by Storm Henk, regions like north Shropshire are not covered. Lay’s attempts to replant have been hampered by the compacted soil, leaving him struggling against time.
Lib Dem MP Helen Morgan highlights the broader impact and calls for long-term support to help farmers manage flooding and its effects.
Meanwhile, farms like Lynn South are racing to plant potatoes and other crops before the soil becomes unmanageable, with significant financial losses already occurring. The National Farmers’ Union’s Kate Mayne describes the situation as dire, with farmers working around the clock to mitigate the damage.