Farmers have extra battle on their hands
Oct 31 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal
THE worst harvest in 40 years, following the wettest summer for a century has been devastating for our rural economy. Saturated crop fields, dead sheep, drenched equipment, ruined farm roads and bridges have left a sad and lasting impact on our farms this year.
Some of next year’s crops such as oilseed rape have not been sown because of the appalling weather conditions, even though the farmers have had to spend many thousands of pounds buying the seed. It’s a double whammy because next year will mean a smaller harvest and fewer takings.
Combines and tractors, usually banned from driving on waterlogged ground, were given a three-week reprieve this year by the Government. Many sank and stuck in the endless mud as the rain continued to thrash down. As a result, wheat and potatoes have rotted in the ground.
With high fuel prices adding to their woes, farmers claim this is the most expensive crop ever, with the worst harvest conditions seen in a lifetime. For the past five years, there has been greater intensity of rain during the summer months than at any time since 1894.
Farming is an important part of North East business life. Northumber- land and Durham have thousands of acres of rural land which characterise the region’s landscape and employ many hundreds of local people. Now farmers will have to adapt if they are to stay afloat in a sodden summer working environment. Others may diversify, to make the most of the rising tourist market which is attracted by our ‘unspoiled’ countryside created by generations.
Farms at Warkworth and Widdrington now have thriving shops, restaurants and delicious produce for self-catering visitors. The Maxwell family’s cheese and ice creams have won top awards for the farm at Doddington, near Wooler. Brocksbushes at Corbridge has an irresistible tea room, as well as hampers, home-made goods, pick your own fruit and a great choice of plants for the garden.
Farmers are having to be much more creative to ensure they continue to make a living and joined-up thinking will help to protect the economic value of farming to the region and strengthen the potential of our rural acres, however horrific the weather.
Nicholas Craig is a partner at Watson Burton law firm
