Driest Spring in 70 Years Pushes UK Farmers to Breaking Point

The UK is facing its driest spring in almost 70 years, compounding an already dire situation for farmers who have been battered by a string of extreme weather events, soaring costs, and policy uncertainty.

In key growing regions such as the Cotswolds, Midlands, East Anglia, Yorkshire, and the North West, rainfall has been alarmingly scarce. For many producers, this follows an autumn of heavy flooding and a winter of economic strain—leaving crops like wheat and vegetables under immense pressure.

The impact is stark. Crop yields are expected to fall significantly, and many farm businesses are struggling to remain profitable. According to sector insiders, a growing number of farmers now rely more on environmental land management schemes than on the sale of their produce.

However, confidence in these support schemes has taken a hit after the government recently halted new applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). The decision has left many feeling abandoned at a time when reliable support is most needed.

Adding to the uncertainty, proposed reforms to inheritance tax rules and reports of potential compulsory land purchases have sparked alarm across the farming community. Many worry that these changes could threaten the future of family-owned farms—some of which have been in operation for generations.

In response, farmers and industry representatives have launched a petition calling for a 12-month amnesty on inheritance tax changes and clearer guidance on land ownership proposals.

“We are not asking for special treatment,” said one grower in East Anglia. “We are asking for stability, for policies that recognise the unique challenges of food production in this country.”

As the sector looks ahead to a summer of unpredictability, calls are mounting for urgent government engagement to safeguard the future of UK farming.