Countryfile's Adam Henson details struggle of 'having to tough it out' after major loss

Adam Henson and his wife
-Credit: (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)


Adam Henson, a familiar face on Countryfile, has recently spoken about the impact of the UK's "wild" weather on the farming industry, and how it has personally affected him.

In a candid piece, Adam shared his experiences of having to "tough it out" after he and his fellow farmers suffered a "devastating" loss this year.

Penning an article for BBC Countryfile Magazine, Adam delved into the effects of Britain's unpredictable weather on the farming industry and detailed how he was severely impacted by heavy rainfall.

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This led to a delayed harvest on his Cotswolds farm, resulting in the loss of peak yield. However, the presenter acknowledged that others had faced even worse conditions, and explained his approach when dealing with challenging weather situations.

Adam revealed: "We tough it out and carry on, but only recently has the impact of prolonged poor weather on farmers' mental health been appreciated."

Harvests struggled due to bad weather
Government data indicated that wheat harvests were cut by a fifth due to the weather -Credit:Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

He continued: "In the last 12 months, I've started to take a particular interest in rural mental health, speaking to dozens of farmers of all ages about their experiences, encouraging everyone to talk about their worries and launching the Keeping on Track podcast."

He added: "Make no mistake, in the worst-hit regions, this year's record-breaking wet spring has been devastating."

Back in June, The Met Office reported that the UK had experienced its sixth wettest spring on record and its wettest since 1986 this year, with rainfall levels 32 per cent above average.

Earlier this month, reports emerged that England was grappling with one of its worst harvests in history. Farmers were battling to plant in waterlogged fields and wheat harvests were reduced by a fifth due to weather conditions, as per Government data.

Tom Lancaster, the land, food and farming analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), described it as a "year to forget" for many farmers.

Adam Henson
Adam said this year's record-breaking wet spring has been “devastating” -Credit:Dave Benett/Getty Images

Adam has previously confessed that they had "struggled to make ends meet" on his farm, where he resides with his wife, Charlie, and their children, Alfie and Ella.

The TV presenter, who spent his childhood on Bemborough Farm near Guiting Power, is also the founder of Cotswold Farm Park, a visitor attraction offering lamb feeding, rides and glamping.

Last year, he disclosed on the Keeping on Track podcast that it was this secondary project that enabled the farm to persist. He also mentioned that other farms were facing similar circumstances.

He elaborated that due to "political change", their subsidy scheme was being "reduced quite significantly" and added that "straight agriculture is very difficult".

Adam, who also featured in Nigel and Adam's Farm Kitchen with Nigel Slater, and Countryfile Summer Diaries, began presenting Countryfile on the BBC in 2001.

The next episode of Countryfile can be watched on Sunday, September 29, on BBC ONE at 5.15pm.