We might as well not bother growing things, says Merseyside farmer
A Merseyside farmer reports that extreme weather patterns, including heatwaves and flooding, are making traditional farming unsustainable in the North West of England. To survive, he has diversified his farm into 14 different income streams, including tourism and digital content creation.
Why it matters
This illustrates the real-world impact of climate change on small-scale agriculture and the necessity for economic adaptation in the farming sector.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Becky Yeomans North West BBC Olly Harrison says this year is the driest he has ever known "We might as well not bother growing things and leave the farms empty."
That is the bleak position facing arable farmer Olly Harrison following three heatwaves already this year.
Some of his colleagues fear increasingly extreme weather, including prolonged dry spells and flooding, is forcing them to seriously question whether their industry is sustainable.
After a dry spring, the north-west of England continues to have extremely low rainfall.
Harrison, from Tarbock, near Prescot on Merseyside, told the BBC the recent hot weather had reduced his crop yield.
"We have up to a half less to sell and we have to process it in the yard to make it sellable, like wetting them up and increasing the quality," he explained.
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