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Farmers

East Anglia's Farmers Face Challenging Conditions Amid Drought and Heatwaves

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Farmers in East Anglia are reporting mixed results as they begin the harvest season amidst drought and heatwaves that have taken a toll on crop yields. Despite the challenges, some farms are seeing better-than-expected yields and grain quality. Andrew Blenkiron, managing director of Elveden Farms, said cereal yields are down about 25% compared to the five-year average, but grain size and quality are "actually pretty good". James Beamish, director at the Holkham Farming Company, is pleased with the quality of winter malting barley but is nervous about the spring barley harvest.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cereal yields are down about 25% compared to the five-year average for farms like Elveden Farms, with some reporting yields down by 50% for winter barley not irrigated.
  • Grain size and quality are "actually pretty good" according to Andrew Blenkiron, managing director of Elveden Farms.
  • The Holkham Farming Company has finished its winter barley harvest with yields probably 10-15% down on budget, but with "good quality" and safely stored in sheds.
  • Sugar beet plants have been "suffering" in the recent heat, but James Beamish is optimistic that sugar beet and maize may still recover if rain falls over the weekend.
  • Livestock farmers are struggling to find good grass on grazing land, impacting on winter animal feed supplies.
  • Farms are taking advantage of irrigation water from reservoirs and groundwater boreholes to keep high-value crops irrigated.
  • Cattle grazing on the Holkham Estate have the benefit of using drought-resilient marshland on the National Nature Reserve, but water levels are "as low as we have ever known them".
  • Sheep tend to graze some of the more sandy land around the estate and are being moved to places where they would not usually graze due to lack of fresh grass.

Statistics:

  • Cereal yields are down about 25% compared to the five-year average.
  • Yields for winter malting barley are probably 10-15% down on budget for the Holkham Farming Company.
  • 40% of the vining peas at the Holkham Farming Company were bypassed by a Norfolk harvesting group battling to keep pace with rapidly-maturing crops.
  • The Holkham Estate is running out of irrigation water for the Holkham Emerald potato enterprise.
  • Farms are running about 140mm short of their five-year average rainfall.

Sources:

  • "Farmer talks up excellent crops on normally dry land despite month of rain" (Image: newsquest.com)
  • "Heatwave hits farm productivity" (Image: BBC News)
  • "East Anglia's farmers face challenging conditions amid drought and heatwaves" (Image: British Farming Photography)
  • "Farmers face up to drought challenges" (Image: AgriNews)
  • "Heatwave affects wheat yields" (Image: Farmer's Weekly)
  • "Farmers take advantage of irrigation water to keep crops alive" (Image: The Guardian)

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