Water-sharing agreements between neighbouring farms could also help safeguard production during times of drought, says a climate change expert. UK farming must become more resilient to increasingly frequent droughts, with better soil management and more on-farm reservoirs, according to University of East Anglia professor Neil Ward. “Agriculture and the... Read more

Major losses caused by drought could see onion yields 25% down this year due to extreme heat and lack of rain. Despite significant investment in infrastructure, water shortages and restrictions have prevented some growers from irrigating at key stages. As a result, crops have matured exceptionally early – some... Read more

If we’re serious about food security, we need to be serious about water security too, says James Harrison The UK potato sector is facing one of its biggest challenges yet, as growers grapple with increasingly dry conditions and growing competition for water resources. For us, the conversation isn’t really... Read more

Farmers need fewer barriers to storing water, says Jeremy Moody. The government needs to improve its plans to make it easier for farmers to create reservoirs if it is remotely serious about food security. This year’s drought – after one of the wettest winters on record – has brought... Read more

Drought-hit farmers are being offered repayment holidays, temporary lending and increased overdrafts as prolonged dry weather puts growing pressure on farm cashflow. Lloyds and Bank of Scotland say specialist agriculture managers are working with customers to address short-term pressures. Options include working capital facilities, overdraft support, interest rate reductions... Read more

The government must make it easier for farmers to build reservoirs and help secure the UK’s food supply, say industry leaders. The warning follows a £65m drought aid package – including £15m to build on-farm reservoirs. The funding was announced last month by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Defra... Read more

Plans to reform the UK water sector have big implications for farmers and must take account of agriculture, say farm leaders. The warning follows 88 recommendations by the Independent Water Commission, chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe – including a new integrated regulator for water and nine new regional water... Read more

Irrigation and weather start-up Sencrop has been acquired by Groupe ISAGRI – one of Europe’s leading companies in digital solutions for field management. The acquisition aims to ensure the continuity of innovation and provide farmers with higher service levels, moving Sencrop from a fledgling company to being part of... Read more

EXPERT VIEW Farming must address the twin challenges of food and water security, says Melvyn Kay. “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink,” wrote English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Penned in 1798, it’s a sentiment that echoes down the ages as... Read more