Following the publication of its Climate Change Adaptation report, the AHDB is advising farmers to prepare for further climate variability.
The report suggests warmer, drier weather and more extreme rainfall, the latter resulting in increased flooding. The Met Office UK Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18) suggests that by mid-century, there will be around a 20% increase in heavy rainfall, with average rainfall around 5% higher than the 1981–2000 average. A 2 °C in mean temperature by 2100.
However, climate change could also bring opportunities and the AHDB says growers need to assess the risks and opportunities to
The areas the AHDB identified as most at threat right now are:
- Farm assets – For example, increased flooding leading to waterlogging and soil erosion, and damage to farm buildings and equipment
- Productivity – Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, extended periods of drought, high rainfall, and flooding impacting livestock and crops
These are critical now and could have a chronic impact on food production.
The report also highlights opportunities that the changing weather could present for UK agriculture.
These include:
- Different legumes for home-grown proteins
- Lower winter feed and energy costs from livestock housing due to warmer winters
- New crops such as soya, sunflower and grain maize could become viable
- Altered global patterns of food production could open new markets for imports
As well as these high-priority areas that present an immediate threat, the report also identifies medium- and low-priority risks and opportunities that could become more important if temperature rises remain unchecked.
AHDB head of environment Rachael Madeley-Davies, says: “The UK is experiencing less predictable seasons and more frequent and intense weather events.
“Agriculture is especially vulnerable to these changes because it is directly dependent on the climate, as well as relying on natural assets like soils interacting with complex biological systems.”
“Many farmers are already aware of the risks caused by flooding, but it’s important this becomes a focus for all. Farmers need to identify any risk areas to their farm in order to future-proof their business.”
The AHDB says the focus for agriculture to date has been around climate mitigation actions with little data at scale of the implementation of actions that could be used to adapt to climate change on farms in the UK. The organisation believes the report fills that gap.
“Ultimately agriculture needs to begin adapting to, as well as mitigating against, climate change – it’s two sides of the same coin. The good news is a lot of the actions required are current best practices, such as maintaining soil health for productivity and animal health and welfare,” adds Rachael.
To access the full report, click here.
