Farm profitability review: comment

“Farm profitability has been hammered in recent years by volatile gas markets and climate extremes, with farmers left counting the cost of climate change after the wettest winter on record was followed by the hottest spring and summer ever. It’s no wonder that four fifths of farmers are worried about making a living from farming as a result of climate impacts [2].

“We’ve now seen three of the five worst harvests on record [3] in England since 2020 following extreme weather, with arable farmers estimated to have lost over £2 billion in revenue as a result. And with grass failing to grow in this summer’s drought, some feed prices for livestock are approaching record highs [4]. Green farming schemes offer a vital source of income independent from this volatility, supporting greater resilience to extremes through measures that improve soil health and boost pollinators. A key step to boost profitability in the sector now will be to re-open these schemes and bring more stability back to government policy."