Farming Challenged Like Never Before
Storm Ciara, Storm Dennis, COVID-19, BREXIT and now Storm Ellen. This year’s sequence of extreme weather events would be enough to test any farmers resilience. Add to that all the difficulties of a global pandemic and uncertainties over BREXIT and we see the UK farming sector challenged like never before.
Climate change is having a huge impact, increases in the intensity of rain fall during the winter and summer months, as well as heatwaves are followed by convective downpours. The challenge is knowing how to manage that, being prepared for the risks and adaptable to change. Farming innovation and technology will develop accordingly.
This year our farmers are facing a potentially record-breaking difficult harvest with farming leaders warning that wheat yields this autumn will be down by about a third. That could potentially leave the UK this year as a net importer of grain rather than a net exporter.
On a positive note, Covid-19 has generated an improved level of respect for farmers as essential workers. Through grit, vigour and adaptability the farming community has rallied round to work together and keep the nation fed.
Our farmers are always resolute and determined, but with heatwaves to contend with and now much more rain on the way the challenges will be another burden to bear so let us all appreciate the essential work they do day in day out. Thank you British Farming.
Appeared in the Shropshire Star Friday 21 August.
