Worry for farmers after 'worst harvest in years'

A farmer said he was losing hope for the future after one of the toughest harvests he had seen in a decade.

Ross McGowan, 28, works at Hatter's Farm in Takeley, near Bishop's Stortford, Essex, a family-led business - but he is worried he will not be able to pass it on to future generations.

"Some of our wheat yield is down by 40%, it is pretty horrendous. There have been some really bad years in a row," he said.

His concerns were echoed by another Essex farmer, Thomas Philpot, 25, who said there were "going to be struggles ahead".

Crop numbers from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) show spring barley is down 17% compared to the five-year average, oats are down 14%, and winter wheat is down by 11%.

These crops go towards products such as pasta, bread, biscuits, cereal and beer. The AHDB said these were "very disappointing yields".

"Farming is not great at the moment," McGowan added. "My sole goal will be to hand over what I have to my kids."

Wheat yields were down 25% - 40% for some of the worst fields, according to McGowan, who said it was "all down to the weather".

It came as the summer was recorded as the UK's hottest on record, according to the Met Office.

McGowan said the farm had put on several events, including pumpkin cannon firing, which had helped make more money.

Celebrating harvest dates back long into British history. Farmers would give thanks for a good harvest, usually around the end of September or early October.

However, a poor harvest can mean higher grocery bills and fewer choices for the average consumer.

Grace Duncan, fresh foods editor at The Grocer magazine, has previously said the conditions would lead to "some shortages on shelves".

"That means, inevitably, if there is less availability, prices will have to go up."

Meanwhile, Philpot, a fifth-generation farmer for Boyton Hall who lives near Chelmsford, said: "There is a lot of uncertainty, and there are going to be struggles ahead."

His grandfather, Peter Philpot, said it had been the worst harvest he had seen in the past 50 years.

Thomas Philpot said it was "important for the public to support farmers where possible by buying British food".

He added there had been "no moisture in the soil" for the crops to grow.

"There have been several bad years before - farmers are good at dealing with a bad year but struggle with repeat bad years.

"Bad years have an effect on the viability of the business."

Ed Ford, the vice-chair of the National Farmers' Union's Essex branch, agreed it had been an "extremely challenging year".

He blamed drought and the rising cost of fuel and fertiliser.

"Despite this, farmers continue to deliver for the country, producing high quality, traceable, affordable food, working to the highest standards of animal welfare," Ford added.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.