England: Farmers Desperate for Rain Amid Driest Spring in a Century
British farmers are anxiously hoping for rain as the UK experiences its driest spring in over a hundred years.
On a 400-hectare farm near Peterborough, Luke Abbritt examined his thirsty sugar beets, noting that they were struggling to grow. It hasn’t rained a single drop since March.
“I really don’t know how to manage this situation on the farm,” he said, expressing his hope for some precipitation. The small green shoots of sugar beet pushing through the cracked, dusty soil “should be at least twice the size,” he lamented.
In adjacent fields, he and his father Clive planted potatoes, facing the challenge of working with the dry, roasted soil.
The National Meteorological Agency reports that from March to May, the total rainfall has only reached 80.6 millimeters (3.1 inches), significantly lower than the historical low of 100.7 millimeters recorded in 1852.
“This spring is the driest we’ve seen in over a century,” the Met Office informed AFP, cautioning that they’ll need to confirm records at the end of May.
Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has noted that reservoir levels are at “exceptionally low” levels. Last week, a national drought group convened, where Richard Thompson, the deputy director, mentioned that climate change is expected to result in more summer droughts in the years to come.
The dry start to the year has left water companies relocating supplies across regions to help those most affected by the dryness.
In July 2022, the UK faced unprecedented temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
In the barn, Abbritt worked alongside a noisy machine filling 25kg bags with potatoes harvested last year. “Potatoes require a lot of water… they carry significant value, so we really need the rain,” he said. Without sufficient water, the potatoes will only grow to a certain point before stunting growth.
If his potatoes don’t reach a proper size, he can’t sell them to his primary customers, a British fish and chip shop. “Everyone wants a big chip, so we have to ensure they’re sized right because no one wants a small chip,” he noted.
The weather has been “extreme and unpredictable.” He pointed out that while there might be plenty of rain in winter, spring and summer have seen very little. “You’ll have to adjust your farming methods, possibly explore different varieties, and maybe even consider alternative crops to cope with these tough weather conditions,” he reflected.
In recent years, the UK has dealt with severe storms, flooding, and heatwaves. Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, remarked, “As climate change unfolds, the likelihood of droughts increases.” She cautioned that these droughts could become more frequent and last longer.
Historically, severe droughts occurred every 16 years in the UK. However, that frequency could increase to once every five years and even once every three decades down the line.
Bentley warned that a decline in crop yields could lead to higher prices at supermarkets. Some farmers are now irrigating crops earlier than they typically would, with the National Farmers Union noting that they are seeking funds to improve water storage and collection capabilities.
Rachel Harros, Vice President of the union, cautioned that “extreme weather patterns… hinder our ability to feed the population.” Two years ago, Abbritt applied for a license to set up an irrigation system on land leased from the local government, but he is still waiting. “I’m just keeping my fingers crossed for rain,” he concluded.
