Is Summer finally around the corner? We hope so, because the winter months in the UK have brought a series of weather challenges that have left their mark on our landscapes and farming practices. From relentless rainfall to widespread flooding, the bad weather has been felt across the country, impacting food production and shaping the way farmers work their land.
One of the most visible effects of the poor weather can be seen in the flooded patches that dot fields across the countryside. Our team captured some drone footage recently revealing the extent of the flooding, with waterlogged areas disrupting yields and posing challenges for UK farmers:
In response to these challenges, many farmers have had to adapt their farming practices to cope with the conditions. One notable shift has been towards minimum tillage, also known as ‘min-till’. This is where farmers plough less and work the soil minimally to reduce soil erosion and conserve moisture. This approach helps mitigate the impact of waterlogged fields and promotes sustainable land management practices.
We spoke to Amy Wilkinson, a beef and arable farmer based in the North West of England, to gain insights into how they are navigating the winter challenges. Their experiences shed light on the resilience and adaptability of the farming community. Despite the hurdles produced by the weather, farmers remain committed, finding innovative solutions to continue producing food for our tables.
“The non stop rain over the past several months has had a huge impact on our business. We are having to rely heavily on lower yielding spring crops as we have just not been able to travel on the fields. We also haven’t been able to turn cows outside as normal meaning we are having to buy in expensive inputs such as straw to bed them with. We are about a month behind in every aspect of the farm, which will impact us heavily going forward. Its certainly been tough to keep spirits up but we will catch up eventually.”
Amy Wilkinson
As we look ahead, it’s clear that weather variability will continue to be a factor influencing food production. By working together and embracing different farming practices, we can tackle these challenges. To ensure a resilient and thriving agricultural sector for generations to come!
