Crops farm farming

The poor weather has fallen between growing seasons

As the UK continued to be battered by storms and downpours this week, the nation’s farmers have reported no significant impact on crops and livestock.

When high winds and rain hit the UK last month, it sparked fears that the nation’s food supply could be hit.

However, the current poor weather has largely fallen between growing seasons meaning that, to date, it has had a limited impact on production.

The Potato Council said the majority of the potato crop had been put in storage by the end of November and was “generally keeping well”.

The fruit sector required a period of cold, frosty weather to promote fruit production but “there is still plenty of time for that to happen so growers are not overly concerned yet,” said Lee Abbey, the NFU’s horticulture advisor.

In the South West, sources claimed there had been little short-term impact on dairy. “The weather isn’t affecting too many dairy farmers in the West, though if cows are not in airy buildings, they won’t be enjoying the most healthy of environments,” said Michael Masters, secretary of milk supply group Dairy Crest Direct.

Livestock farmers, meanwhile, had been affected by the general disruption caused by the poor weather - such as power cuts - but there had been no reports of widespread problems, said Pete Garbutt, NFU chief livestock adviser.

And despite reports the weather had affected salmon supply, the Scottish government said it was “not aware of any significant impact.”