Weather

Over the past few weeks, we have seen how Covid-19 has impacted lives across the UK, affecting every aspect of how we live, work and socially interact, says Chris Lewis, a farming specialist at Marsh Commercial. 

They say be careful what you wish for. We had been hoping for a break in the weather to get stuck in to some jobs and, crikey, we have been busy with fertiliser spreading, spraying, tanking, ploughing, subsoiling, power harrowing, drilling maize and spring barley, staff training, fencing and a few cows to milk. Even the dog is shattered.

It’s May 1 already. How this strange and troubled year is flying by, which is amazing given all the events and shows we had planned to visit are now just a passing thought as the dates get closer on the calendar. Very disappointing.

We have now almost completed the spring work, with spring barley coming through the ground fairly evenly and its top dressing of fertiliser being applied at the end of last week.

With changing support structures for farmers and concerns over food standards in post-Brexit trade deals presenting unprecedented challenges for Number 10, has the Government delivered on its promises for UK farming?

Farm groups have welcomed a series of emergency measures issued by Government to support Welsh farmers during the coronavirus outbreak.

As I write, several local towns are again cut off by road due to flooding, many for the fourth time in as many weeks. As soon as we enjoy a dry day, there is a two-day deluge and the water rises again to dangerous levels, leaving homes and businesses flooded and roads impassable.

Britain’s rising need for food security in a post-Brexit world will lead to a higher strategic value being placed on farmland, delegates attending a seminar at the Floodex event heard.

March is already upon us, with spring soon approaching as gauged by the daffodils, primroses and the date on the calendar. However, most days these last few weeks, the climate has been extremely changeable, with four seasons on several days, but the constant theme has been rain and more rain.

Defra Secretary George Eustice defended the Government’s response to the flooding crisis after farmers told the NFU Conference ’inaction’ had put businesses in jeopardy.