News
Farmers dogged by impact of extreme
weather – report • Concerns over effect on business • Crops and livestock both suffering • Farmers struggle to plan for future
E
xtreme weather is a major chal- lenge for many farmers who are finding it difficult to adapt to cli-
mate change , warns a study. All farmers who took part in the
research said they had experienced or witnessed serious issues caused by extreme weather – such as heavy rain or prolonged dry spells in recent years – and expect these to intensi- fy further.
Many were concerned about the im-
pact of heat and drought on crop and grass growth, the knock-on impacts for yield and winter animal feed, and the implications of heavy rainfall or flooding for soil run-off and erosion. Some farmers, however, are doing little to make their businesses more resilient. They said changes to the weather and the UK climate were too uncertain and too long-term for them to invest significant time or money in planning for them now.
Business survival Instead, the study shows many farm- ers are focused on short-term profita- bility and business survival in a chal- lenging economic environment. They are also more concerned about other political and public pressures. Although farmers increasingly ac-
cept that the climate is changing and they should take action in response, the study says uncertainty about the scale, speed and nature of change lo- cally, make it difficult for many pro- ducers to do so. The research was carried out by Re-
becca Wheeler and Matt Lobley from Exeter University’s Centre for Ru- ral Policy Research, in partnership the Centre for Ecology and Hydrolo- gy, Rothamsted Research and Lancas- ter University. Researchers carried out 31 in-depth interviews, 15 with farmers and 16 with stakeholders including advisors, consultants and industry representa- tives. Their findings were published in the journal Climate Risk Management.
6 ANGLIA FARMER • JUNE 2021
Extreme weather is having an increasing impact on food production. Dr Wheeler said: “Farmers have an
array of challenges and uncertainties to cope with, and it is understanda- ble they are focused on the short-term profitability and survival of their busi- ness.
“This seems to be preventing them from adapting to the effects of the cli- mate emergency. It is essential the in- dustry finds ways to build resilience, and that farm businesses are sup- ported in planning and responding to changing weather patterns.”
Innovative approach More positively, the research highlight- ed the capacity for innovation and ad- aptability within the farming industry. Many farmers are building resilience within their business through actions to improve soil health to cope with weather extremes. Some of the opportunities posed by
Farmers face an array of challenges and uncertainties
“
A number of agricultural stakehold- ers said they were concerned too few farm businesses were taking sufficient action to increase their business re- silience to extreme weather and cli- mate change.
Some farmers said they simply “hadn’t got around” to implementing measures they would like to under- take, while others were “concentrat- ing on the short term”.
climate change – such as warmer tem- peratures enabling the production of new crops and increased yields – could benefit farmers so long as they are able to “weather” the challenges posed by negative effects.
As well as improving soil health, positive actions taken to future-proof farm business included the continuous evaluation of crop and grass varieties and production techniques. Some farmers had installed addi- tional livestock housing with good ven- tilation, increased rainwater storage capacity, and spread exposure to risk by expanding the diversity of their crops and enterprises. Prof Lobley said: “There are many innovative and exciting activities hap- pening on farms across the country, but much is still to be done to improve the resilience of individual farms and the industry as a whole.”
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