Amelia Riley

Hot and dry weather is creating serious problems for arable farmers in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, including an increased risk of combine, baler and crop fires, lower yields and sharply reduced crop moisture. Recent fires have destroyed agricultural machinery and farmland, with equipment losses potentially costing hundreds of thousands or millions of pounds. Farmers report harvesting unusually early, with yields down by 10% in some areas and as much as 50% farther south, raising concerns about future grain shortages. The National Farmers' Union is advising vigilance around machinery and exploring more drought-resistant wheat varieties, while fire services face increased pressure from ongoing incidents.

Prolonged hot and dry weather is creating serious problems for arable farmers in East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and elsewhere in the UK. Numerous field and machinery fires have destroyed combines, balers and crops, placing additional pressure on fire services. Farmers are also harvesting earlier than usual, with reduced yields and sharply lower grain moisture levels, raising concerns about future grain shortages. The National Farmers Union is advising caution around machinery and considering more drought-resistant wheat varieties and altered cropping plans.