Patricia Crawford reports
Farmers throughout Britain have spoken about their concerns following this year’s drought conditions with many of them facing serious financial worries. Crop yields were down in many parts of the country and straw, silage and hay are in short supply with serious knock-on consequences for the dairy and livestock sectors; horse owners, riding schools and equestrian training yards are also facing shortages and higher prices.
A report by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said that Extreme Weather Events are the biggest driver of inflation in food. Chris Jaccarini, food and farming analyst at ECIU, said “Climate change poses a systemic threat to our health, living standards and food security. Central banks might be tasked with controlling inflation but they cannot avoid climate-driven food price spikes, only cutting emissions to net zero and restoring climate balance can”.
Hedgerows are a vital part of the countryside, they provide habitat, food and shelter for wildlife as well as having an important role in farming and food production. The Kent branch of CPRE (Campaign for the Protection of Rural England) is helping to restore hedges and plant new hedgerows with the intention of planting 28,000 hedgerow species on 14 sites before March 2026. Anyone who would like to be involved in this mammoth undertaking should email CPRE to find out what opportunities are available: info@cprekent.org.uk
This month’s jargon buster: Nitrogen Fixation. Involves a process whereby bacteria turn nitrogen gas from the air into ammonia, nitrates and nitrites in the soil so improving soil fertility. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are present in the roots of legumes such as beans, peas, clover and lucerne. Clover is a legume and fixes nitrogen and so a ley of clover and rye grass requires less fertiliser than a ley of pure ryegrass.
Date for diary: Tuesday 9th December, 6.00 for 6.30pm. Kent RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) Nativity and Carols at Ashford Market. Free mulled wine and mince pies. Live animals provided by Brockhill Park School Young Farmers’ Club. A perfect event for the entire family.