Prolonged dry conditions have dominated many of my conversations with members, bringing water availability, crop performance, rising costs and, increasingly, cashflow into sharp focus.
As harvest continues, I hope operations are progressing safely and that you are managing to get crops in between the challenges this season has presented.
Water security – welcome progress, but immediate pressures remain
I was pleased to see the recent government commitment to supporting greater investment in on-farm water storage and reservoirs.
For some time, the NFU has been making the case that farmers and growers need greater ability to capture and store water when it is available. Improving our water infrastructure and removing unnecessary barriers to investment will be vital if our businesses are to become more resilient to increasingly challenging weather conditions.
While these commitments are welcome, the immediate issue for many farming businesses remains cashflow.
The consequences of this exceptionally dry growing season will extend well beyond harvest. Reduced yields and output, additional irrigation and input costs, pressure on livestock feed and forage supplies, alongside wider business costs, are creating very real financial pressures.
Long-term investment in resilience is essential, but it must be accompanied by recognition of the position businesses are facing today. For some members, the immediate question is not how they finance the next reservoir, but how they manage the impact of this season on their business over the coming months.
We must also ensure that horticulture, protected cropping and ornamental businesses are not overlooked.
For many growers, a reliable water supply is fundamental to maintaining crop health and quality. Significant investment can already be committed to high-value crops long before they reach the point of sale, making these businesses particularly exposed when water availability becomes constrained.
While food security rightly features prominently in discussions around water, our ornamental and protected crop businesses also make an important economic contribution, supporting employment and the wider rural economy. Their needs must be properly represented as future policy on water resilience, abstraction and infrastructure develops.
Water security and food production go hand in hand, and we will continue to ensure that the experiences of our members locally are fed directly into the NFU’s national lobbying work.
Harvest safety and wildfire risk
The exceptionally dry conditions have also brought an increased risk of field and machinery fires.
The NFCC (National Fire Chiefs Council) has shared harvesting guidance following increased operational demand from wildfire incidents. Agricultural machinery has been identified as one of the notable causes of fires during harvesting operations, particularly during hot, dry and windy conditions.
Farmers and contractors are being encouraged to:
- Start harvesting from the downwind edge of fields, helping any machinery-related fire spread towards already harvested areas rather than standing crops
- Harvest headlands first to create a perimeter which can slow fire spread and improve access for emergency vehicles
- During particularly dry and windy conditions, consider having a tractor and plough or disc cultivator available to create a bare-earth firebreak
- Keep suitable fire suppression equipment on site, including water bowsers and fire extinguishers
- Inspect and clean machinery daily, removing dust and straw build-up and checking for hot spots, faulty wiring and other potential ignition risks
- Where possible, work in teams and remain vigilant for smoke or excessive heat
- Ensure everyone knows to call 999 immediately if a fire starts and can provide an accurate location. Tools such as what3words can also assist emergency responders in locating rural incidents
Please do share this advice with employees and contractors working alongside you. A few additional precautions during these conditions can make a significant difference in protecting crops, machinery, neighbouring businesses and our rural communities.
Looking ahead – South Lincolnshire
September and the autumn months are shaping up to be particularly busy, with plenty of opportunities to get together with fellow members and engage directly with the NFU team.
Save the dates – Invitations, RSVP links and further details coming soon
Invitations, RSVP links and further details for the events below will be sent out soon. In the meantime, please save the dates in your diaries – we hope to see many of you there.
9 September – Back British Farming Day – Celebrating Lincolnshire’s Finest Produce
26 September – Joint Branch Post-Harvest Picnic – Sleaford, Boston & Bourne
20 October – Horticulture Growers Meeting
21 October – North Sea Camp Prison Farm Visit
5 November – University of Lincoln Soil Health Event
10 November – South Lincolnshire In-Person County Meeting – The Kings Head, Kirton
18 November – Holland Combined Branch & County AGM – Ye Olde Red Lion
I particularly encourage our horticultural members to save 20 October for our Horticulture Growers' Meeting. I am keen to bring growers together, hear directly about the issues affecting businesses and ensure those experiences and priorities are represented within the NFU.
As always, please do get in touch with me if there is an issue affecting your business that you would like to raise. Member conversations are incredibly important in helping us understand what is happening on the ground and ensuring your experiences are heard both regionally and nationally.
I hope harvest continues safely and successfully for you all, and I look forward to seeing many of you over the coming weeks.