32. Why are farmers always complaining about the weather?

Put your thoughts into the mixAlmost three quarters of England is in drought at the time of recording— so what does that actually mean for farmers, food production and the price of our food?We’re talking about what we’re seeing on our own farms, from crop yields and forage to water availability, boreholes and the risk of fires, as well as some of the less obvious consequences of a dry summer, including livestock disease.But there’s a bigger question too: when there isn’t enough water, who should get it?Should farmers be allowed to abstract more water to protect crops and livestock? What about rivers, wildlife and drinking water? And why does water abstraction become such a contentious issue whenever we have a dry summer?We’re also talking about why drought is suddenly getting so much attention in the mainstream media, whether FarmTok is helping consumers understand what’s happening on farms, and what farmers actually need from Government.So… are farmers justified in complaining about the weather, or do we just need to get on with it?Plus, after last week’s verdict, The Jury’s Out returns — and Rebecca has found something she is absolutely obsessed with. Hint: it involves guinea pigs and tapirs!Thank you to BKT Tyres and Kirkby Tyres for sponsoring this podcast and keeping the wheels of farming turning.Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/If you’ve got a story, an opinion, or an idea for an episode… Send us a DM or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation. Subscribe now and let’s get into it!@wilsonandashley@rebeccawilsonfarming@charlotteashleyfarmPowered by Ridgeline ClothingWhilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.