After one of the driest summers in recent years, there could finally be some relief on the way. The Met Office is forecasting a more mixed and unsettled weather pattern as we head into September, bringing a greater chance of rain after weeks of dry conditions.
For many farmers in North Riding and Durham, that rain cannot come soon enough.
England has now experienced three droughts in five years and, while we've escaped some of the extreme conditions seen further south, the impact has still been significant. Harvest has arrived earlier than usual in many places, yields have suffered, and grass growth has all but stopped on some farms. Livestock and dairy producers have been forced to dip into valuable winter forage supplies, while potatoes, sugar beet and other crops have struggled in the absence of meaningful rainfall.
The challenges facing farm businesses were highlighted earlier this month when Prime Minister Andy Burnham met NFU President Tom Bradshaw. Discussions focused on the financial pressures affecting farmers, alongside concerns around bluetongue, planning, energy infrastructure, public procurement and strengthening the UK's food supply chains.
There was some welcome news. Many of the NFU's longstanding calls for greater support on drought resilience, improved access to water and investment in on-farm storage have been recognised in a new government package aimed at helping farmers cope with increasingly extreme weather. Importantly, the Prime Minister also acknowledged that farmers are on the frontline of climate change and should not be left to shoulder the risks alone.
Of course, drought hasn't just affected crops and livestock. It has also increased the risk of wildfire. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has experienced an exceptionally busy period, responding to incidents and working hard to prevent fires caused by careless behaviour. With crops, grassland and moorland left tinder dry, the threat has been very real. If a national wildfire alert helps raise awareness and encourages people to act more responsibly in the countryside, then it is a measure worth supporting.
The NFU continues to push for stronger action on wildfire prevention, including better coordination between government, emergency services and farmers, improved management of high-risk areas and tighter controls on activities that can start fires during periods of extreme danger.
As August draws to a close, many farmers will be watching the skies and hoping the forecast delivers. Rain will not reverse the effects of a difficult summer overnight, but replenishing soil moisture, boosting grass growth and restoring water reserves would be a welcome start after another challenging season.