Over recent weeks, my conversations with members have covered everything from harvest progress and yields to water availability, livestock health and the wider financial pressures facing farm businesses.
These conversations on the ground are incredibly important in helping us understand where our support and lobbying efforts need to be focused.
One issue coming through particularly strongly in Nottinghamshire is water.
Water availability – bringing the Nottinghamshire voice together
The prolonged dry conditions have put water availability firmly under the spotlight this summer, but for many Nottinghamshire members this is not simply an issue confined to one dry year.
Abstraction licences, access to water, restrictions during periods of scarcity and the ability to invest in greater water storage are all part of a much bigger conversation about how we ensure agriculture has access to the water it needs in the future.
The recent government announcement of further support for drought-affected farming businesses, alongside measures to make it easier to invest in reservoirs and improve access to water during drought conditions, is therefore welcome.
The NFU has been consistently making the case for greater flexibility around abstraction licences and a more streamlined planning system that enables farmers to capture and store water when it is available.
However, while longer-term investment in resilience is essential, it does not remove the immediate cashflow pressures facing many farming businesses today.
This season has brought reduced yields for some businesses alongside increased costs and pressure on feed and forage supplies. The financial consequences will not simply disappear once the combine leaves the field.
We need policy that allows businesses to become more resilient for the future, while also recognising the immediate economic pressures farmers are managing now.
This is why I am particularly keen that we bring Nottinghamshire members together to discuss water resources and availability.
On 17 September, we will be holding a dedicated Nottinghamshire Water Resources and Availability Meeting. This will provide an opportunity for members to talk about what they are experiencing, discuss abstraction and future water availability and, importantly, help us build a clear picture of what Nottinghamshire farming needs.
Please save the date – venue and further details will follow shortly.
Bluetongue – please remain vigilant
I also want to remind our livestock members to remain vigilant for bluetongue (BTV-3) as we continue through the higher-risk summer period.
Cases have continued to be confirmed across England this season, including cases in neighbouring Derbyshire, so it is important that we do not become complacent here in Nottinghamshire.
Bluetongue can have serious animal health, welfare and business impacts, particularly for sheep and cattle. Please continue to monitor livestock closely for potential clinical signs and speak to your vet if you have any concerns.
The whole of England remains within a bluetongue restricted zone. Members moving susceptible animals should continue to check the latest movement requirements and guidance before making movements.
Vaccination and good biosecurity remain important tools in managing the risk, and I would encourage members to discuss the most appropriate approach for their individual business with their vet.
The situation can change, so please continue to keep an eye on the latest NFU and government guidance.
Harvest fire safety
With fields and vegetation exceptionally dry, fire continues to be a very real risk during harvest.
The NFCC (National Fire Chiefs Council) has contacted us to share its harvesting advice following significant operational demand from wildfire incidents. Agricultural machinery has been identified as a notable cause of fires during harvesting operations.
There are some practical measures farmers and contractors can take to reduce the risk:
- Harvest headlands first, creating a perimeter which can help slow the spread of a fire and provide access for emergency vehicles
- Where appropriate, begin harvesting from the downwind edge of the field, so a machinery-related fire is more likely to move towards harvested ground rather than standing crop
- During particularly dry and windy conditions, consider having a tractor and plough or disc cultivator available to establish a bare-earth firebreak
- Have water bowsers and fire extinguishers readily accessible
- Clean and inspect machinery regularly, paying particular attention to dust and straw build-up, hot spots and electrical faults
- Where possible, work with others and keep a close eye out for the first signs of smoke or excessive heat
- If a fire does start, call 999 immediately and provide an accurate location. Location tools such as what3words can help emergency services reach rural incidents quickly.
Please share this advice with employees and contractors working alongside you.
Taking a few additional precautions could make a significant difference in protecting crops, machinery, neighbouring farms and our wider rural communities.
Looking ahead – save the dates
We have a busy few months ahead in Nottinghamshire, with opportunities to come together socially as well as meetings where members can engage directly with the NFU team and discuss the issues affecting their businesses.
Invitations, RSVP links and further details for upcoming events will be sent out soon. In the meantime, please save these dates in your diaries:
- 2 September – Nottinghamshire Post-Harvest Social – The Mill, Hoveringham
- 17 September – Nottinghamshire Water Resources & Availability Meeting – Venue TBC
- 24 September – Flintham & District Ploughing Match
- 26 September – Southwell Ploughing Match
- 7 October – Nottinghamshire County Meeting
- 4 November – Nottinghamshire Virtual County Meeting
- 25 November – Nottinghamshire Combined Branch & County AGM – Kelham House, Newark
- 9 December – Nottinghamshire County Meeting & Christmas Social
- 20 January 2027 – Nottinghamshire Virtual County Meeting
There is plenty happening across the county, and I hope to see many of you over the coming months.
As always, please do get in touch if there is an issue affecting your farming business that you would like to raise. Those conversations help us understand what is happening on the ground and ensure the Nottinghamshire farming voice is heard both regionally and nationally.