Farmers on the challenges facing the agricultural industry

Thousands of flocked to West Bay to enjoy the annual Melplash Show last Thursday, celebrating the best of farming across the Southwest.

READ MORE PICTURES: Thousands flock to Melplash Show in West Bay

People enjoyed everything that there was to offer while walking the grounds in the sunshine, but the rising heat that made for a great event was indicative an issue worrying local farmers.

(Image: Graham Hunt Photography) Jim Bruckel, who was assisting Sid Hollier at Long Ash Speckle Park, said: “The biggest issue is it has been so dry. So, we will have to make difficult decisions in the winter. The grass hasn’t grown as it should. That is the biggest challenge this year.”

(Image: Chloe Boden) According to the Met Office, this summer is set to be one of the warmest on record, with a mean temperature from June 1 to August 17 standing at 16.2°C – 1.6°C above average.

Matthew Bagwell who was helping to showcase his son’s prize lambs agreed. He said: “The weather is troubling farmers. Farming revolves around the weather.”

Prior to the Grand Parade of this year’s winning livestock, the commentator took a moment to urge people to buy local, to help farmers that have been impacted by numerous heatwaves, among other issues recently.

(Image: Graham Hunt Photography) Shona Phillips, who works for S&J Symes Ltd at Lynch Farm in Shipton Gorge, said the hardest part of the farming industry at the moment is simply ‘surviving’.

She said: “The inflation of prices, [and] the state of affairs with inheritance tax, especially with families. I have been in the industry for ten years. The biggest thing is to encourage the new generation to come in. But there are a lot of positives. It is a satisfying job.”

(Image: Chloe Boden) UK Inflation rose to 3.8 percent in July – the highest it has been since January 2024, which eats into the margin of profit for agricultural workers.

Leah Gould, one of the owners of Wells Farm in Somerset, said: “The general public don’t know the hard process to get something into a supermarket and onto their plates. Farmers are working all hours of the day. Pretty much 24/7. We are always on alert.”

(Image: Chloe Boden) The farmers agreed that nurturing the next generation of young agricultural workers was critical to keeping the industry alive.

Mr Bruckel said: “There are a lot of kids who don’t think they can do farming because they’re not [born] into it.

“It is really important that the next generation understands enough about farming. There are just some things that you cannot teach out of a book.”

The Melplash Agricultural Society organise the annual event to encourage young people to pursue careers in the industry.

(Image: Graham Hunt Photography)

The Discover Farming marquee this year was packed with stalls for children to learn how to care for animals. 

Each year the Melplash Agricultural Society offers grants to local students planning to pursue courses in subjects connected to agriculture.