Farmers across Britain have faced unprecedented rainfall over the past year, drastically affecting food production. With fields submerged since last autumn due to continuous wet weather, both crops and livestock have suffered. From October 2022 to March 2024, England saw a record 1,695.9mm of rain, the highest ever recorded for 18 months.
Tom Allen-Stevens, an arable farmer and agriculture journalist, reports that his harvest is expected to be dismal this year. Heavy rains have prevented planting on much of his land, leaving only a small portion of his fields cultivated.
The persistent rain has led to significant challenges, including the inability to manage weeds effectively and delays in planting. Allen-Stevens notes that the lack of dry weather is unusual and suggests it could be linked to climate change, which is causing more extreme weather patterns.
Farmers face significant challenges as flooding disrupts planting schedules and raises costs.Rhian Williams, a vegetable grower, highlights the impact of the relentless rain on her farm’s operations. Fields are too wet to cultivate, forcing her to rely on limited space in polytunnels. This situation is likely to lead to a reduced supply of vegetables, affecting customer subscriptions and increasing costs due to higher prices from local wholesalers.
Scott Maher, a mixed farmer, shares the difficulties faced with cereal planting and livestock care. The continuous rain has kept most of his cattle indoors and delayed essential spring barley sowing, crucial for the whisky industry and straw bedding.
Elizabeth Johnson, a shepherd and vet student, describes how the weather extremes have compounded existing issues in farming.
Last year’s drought followed by current flooding has led to challenges in managing sheep and dealing with unpredictable weather patterns, which may lead to further concerns about drought and disease.
Prevailing, the severe weather has strained farmers, impacting their operations and raising concerns about future sustainability.