UK Farmers Blend Tradition with Technology to Tackle Unpredictable Weather

Farmers in the UK are adapting to unpredictable weather patterns by revisiting traditional farming practices. A survey conducted by Censuswide, commissioned by pet care brand Purina, found that 86% of farmers combine modern tools such as soil testing and precision technology with traditional methods like cover crops and crop rotation.

The study also revealed that 87% of farmers are more likely to consider changing their farming practices to improve soil health and resilience to extreme weather than they were five years ago. This shift is driven by economic and environmental pressures, including rising fertiliser costs and prolonged dry periods.

Claire Donkin, a wheat farmer and agronomist from Bedfordshire, England, notes that understanding soil health is essential for farmers. She also points out that many of the principles used in modern regenerative agriculture are based on traditional practices that earlier generations of farmers would have recognised immediately.