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

A new vet-led service aims to help dairy farmers to increase animal health and productivity by improving their water quality. FarmWater, which ensures clean, hygienic water regardless of water source, has proven itself within the poultry sector, and is now officially rolling out onto dairy farms, many of which... 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

More than 150 farmers have been able to resume water abstraction after the NFU raised their case with the Environment Agency. Restrictions were lifted for the growers affected by an abstraction cessation order in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The NFU said it was working to find a solution for... Read more

Huge challenges around water quality and availability are limiting farmers’ ability to feed the nation, the government has been told. Defra secretary Steve Reed was among more than 60 attendees at a Water Summit which say the NFU bring together industry experts, water companies, environmental groups and supply chain... Read more