Majority of farmers report feelings of anxiety and depression in face of drought and flooding
Anxiety is an almost universal experience among British farmers following the UK’s third worst harvest last year and extremely dry spring this year.
By Tom Lancaster
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New research [1], commissioned by the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) and conducted by Grounded Research, has revealed the extent to which climate change-driven extreme weather is impacting farmers, specifically their mental health.
Virtually all British farmers (98%) have faced extreme weather events in the past five years, with extreme rainfall (86%), drought (78%) and heatwaves (54%) the most common experiences.
Farmers reported that, during these periods of extreme weather, nine in ten (92%) of them felt anxious, with a third (34%) ‘very anxious’. Nearly two thirds (60%) said they felt depressed, with 6% ‘very depressed’.
These figures come in the wake of the UK’s hottest and sixth driest spring on record [2] and four heatwaves [3] so far in 2025, as well as extreme wet weather in 2023/2024 and extreme heat in 2022. Scientists have linked all of these events to human-induced climate change [4, 5, 6]. The wet weather last year was responsible for the UK’s third worst harvest on record, [7] while this year’s dry spring has hit crops like wheat and oats. [8]
Despite such serious impacts on their wellbeing, less than a quarter (24%) of farmers sought help, raising concerns for many in the sector that the true consequences of pressures like extreme weather are going unreported.
A spokesperson at the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) – the Farmers Charity, said:
“Our Big Farming Survey found that extreme and unpredictable weather is one of the leading causes of stress and poor mental health in farming people. This remains a serious challenge, which is why RABI provides confidential, compassionate support to the farming community 24/7.
“We encourage any farmers experiencing difficulties with their mental health or wellbeing to call RABI’s free helpline on 0800 188 4444.”
A range of concerns drove these feelings of anxiety and depression among farmers, including worries about losing crops and livestock (78%), the costs of recovering from extreme weather (68%) and what to plant because the weather was too unpredictable (52%). Overall, more than two in five farmers (43%) were worried they wouldn’t make enough money to continue farming during periods of extreme weather. Many of these concerns became a reality, with widespread impacts on farm businesses reported by farmers [9].
Joanne Coates, a beef farmer from the Yorkshire Dales, said:
“Extreme weather is having a major impact on farming in the Yorkshire Dales. Traditionally, this was an area of short summers and long, cold winters, but that reliable pattern has gone.
“Across the Dales, you can hear people remarking on there being ‘less of something’ than they would usually expect, or that certain events are happening earlier or later in the year. They don’t always name the climate crisis as the cause, but they can certainly see its impact and talk about it.
“Unpredictable weather also makes people more reluctant to leave their farms, in case they need to respond quickly to a sudden flood or other unexpected event. This keeps people away from community spaces, deepening isolation and loneliness. With everything going on, my partner and I can’t help but wonder what lies ahead for farming.”
The research found that the majority of farmers are apprehensive about the future. When asked about the potential impacts of future extreme weather on their farm, over three quarters (77%) said it makes them feel anxious, with a fifth (20%) ‘very anxious’. Over half (51%) said it makes them feel depressed, with 6% ‘very depressed’.
Even more worrying is the frequency at which these concerns play on farmers minds: around half (51%) say they worry about extreme weather at least every week, with nearly a fifth (19%) worrying about it almost every day.
In addition to immediate support for farmers struggling now from organisations like RABI or the Farming Community Network (FCN), policies to reduce emissions to net zero and enable adaptation to climate change will reduce the burden of extreme weather on farmers in the longer term by limiting the impact on their businesses.
Colin Chappell, an arable farmer from North Lincolnshire, said:
“As farmers, we’re in a business partnership with Mother Nature, but it feels like one side isn’t playing ball. That’s particularly worrying because the weather can make or break a farm. This constant uncertainty takes a real toll on mental health.
“Last year, I genuinely didn’t know how we were going to make it through as a business. I thought the farm might go under. It was incredibly tough. For me, the way forward has been to focus on nature and improving soil health – creating sponge-like soil that prevents water pooling and holds onto it for dry spells. Farmers have nature-based solutions, but we need the support and investment to make them happen.”
Over half of farmers (55%) agree that extreme weather linked to climate change is having a negative impact on food production and that addressing this risk is the priority for the UK’s food security, even if it means changing what and how they farm. Many want to do more for climate and nature but feel they need support from government, such as more long-term certainty around environmental schemes and higher payments [10].
John Whitby MP, Derbyshire Dales:
"Not only is extreme weather driven by climate change a growing threat to the UK’s food security and putting up food prices on shop shelves, it's also taking a real toll on farmers. We’ve lurched from the third worst harvest last year, caused by extreme rainfall made heavier by climate change, to the fifth worst this year, following the dry spring and the UK’s hottest ever summer.
"Farmers are going to need greater support in many ways as they find themselves increasingly on the climate change frontline. Green farming schemes can help to improve soils and make them more resilient to extremes, but unless we get to net zero - meaning we stop adding emissions to the atmosphere - all of these floods and heatwaves will only get worse.”
Notes to editors:
Spokespeople and farmers available for interview and further comment.
2024 was the hottest year ever recorded globally, with 2023 in close second. As early as December last year, the Met Office predicted that 2025 will be in the top three hottest years alongside them. Experts – including the UK’s Met Office, Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organisation – agree that these extremes are being driven by human-induced climate change. Right now, we are at around 1.3°C of warming above pre-industrial levels, but our current trajectory is for around 3°C; double the globally agreed target of 1.5°C.
ECIU commissioned Grounded Research to conduct market research of 300 UK farmers. The sample was drawn from Grounded Research’s proprietary research panel, Five Bar Gate, with quotas and screening applied to ensure representation across key variables.
A sample size of 300 is considered statistically robust for market research when the population is relatively niche and well-defined, as is the case with UK farmers. At this size, it is possible to achieve a margin of error of approximately ±5.7% at a 95% confidence level, which is widely accepted as sufficient for drawing meaningful conclusions. Unlike general population polling, which often requires larger samples to reflect a broad and highly diverse public, market research typically targets more specific audiences. This allows for greater depth of insight per respondent and often incorporates additional layers of screening, segmentation and behavioural context.
[9] When asked what impacts extreme weather has had on their farm businesses, more than four in five (87%) farmers said reduced productivity. Almost the same proportion (84%) experienced a decrease in crop yields or livestock output, while almost a third (29%) suffered complete losses. Two in five farmers reported an increase in pests and diseases (40%), while a quarter (25%) reported damage to farm buildings. Overall, three quarters (74%) experienced financial losses because of extreme weather.
[10] https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2025/farmer-confidence-battered-by-climate-change-new-research
For more information or for interview requests:
Tricia Curmi, Communications team, ECIU, Tel: 07908 517 186 153, email: tricia.curmi@eciu.net