Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has provided a candid update on the conditions at his Bemborough Farm in the Cotswolds following a sustained period of dry weather. In a video posted on his farm’s YouTube channel, Henson detailed the adverse impact the weather has had on this year’s harvest.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) reports that the 2026 harvest is the earliest in at least two decades, with combines operating ahead of schedule across much of the UK. However, cereal yields are generally below the ten-year average, and some farms have experienced significant reductions in output.
In a summary accompanying Cotswold Farm Park’s latest harvesting video, it is noted that the farm cultivates 650 hectares of thin, stony ground, growing winter wheat, winter barley, and spring barley across a rotation of fields. The note reflects, “When the weather is with you, it’s some of the most rewarding land in the country to farm. When it isn’t, there’s nowhere to hide.”
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Henson explained that the combination of drought and thin soil at his farm has led to disappointing yields. “Our winter wheat and winter barley yields are about a ton to a ton and a half lower per hectare than usual,” he revealed. This shortfall significantly affects the farm’s profitability.
He added that global commodity prices for wheat and barley remain relatively low, despite some recent increases, meaning that profit margins are slim. “Although harvest is typically an exciting period when farmers reap the rewards of their labour and investments, this year it’s looking challenging not only for us but for many other arable farmers across the UK,” he said.
Providing fans with a glimpse inside the grain store, Henson showed the 350 tonnes of barley currently held, noting this quantity is below what they would normally expect. He attributed the poor harvest to both last year’s severe drought and the excessively wet conditions of 2024, stating, “We’ve had three difficult years. It’s really feeling tough. I try to remain positive about farming because I believe it’s one of the best jobs in the world, but arable farming at the moment is hard.”
Viewers can watch Adam’s story on “Adam’s Young Farmers: Yorkshire Dales,” airing tonight at 6pm on BBC One.