Norfolk farmers are warning of a possible straw shortage over the winter because of this summer's wet weather.

The news came as Defra announced a temporary suspension of the rules governing the work farmers can do on waterlogged land.

William Brigham, who farms at Lyng, near Dereham, said it had been a difficult few months and that hay and straw supplies could be affected.

He said: “Certainly if anybody has been making hay I think they would have struggled. We have managed a small amount, but that was much earlier on. As far as straw is concerned we have got about 50 acres laying out. It has been laying out for nearly a fortnight and it won't do to have it laying out like that.”

Nick Deane, who farms at Hoveton, said he did not think there would be a hay shortage but there was a possibility of a straw shortage.

Simon Shapland, director of Abbott and Co (Wessex) Ltd hay and straw merchants, said the next three weeks were crucial.

“There is no need to panic at the moment, but the weather over the next three weeks is crucial for both hay and straw. What farmers need is 10 days to a fortnight of really pleasant weather.”

The NFU wrote to Defra secretary of state Hilary Benn last week seeking a change of the rules governing the work farmers can do on waterlogged land up to the first week of October as a matter of urgency.

A government ban has prevented farmers from moving tractors and combine harvesters onto their waterlogged fields.

But Defra has now granted a special dispensation for three weeks, exempting farmers from the ban.

Under the normal rules, they would jeopardise their single farm payments by taking heavy equipment onto sodden land because of potential damage to the soil.

Ian Backhouse, NFU combinable crops board chairman, said: “No one expects Defra to influence the weather, but we are encouraged the secretary of state has responded to the appalling conditions faced by many of our members again this harvest.

“This action removes one barrier to gathering in the remaining crop and the threat of fines levelled on farmers for bringing home crops while soils are wet.”

Rural economy experts the CLA welcomed the decision. Nicola Currie, CLA director, eastern region said: “The temporary exemption Mr Benn has granted makes absolute sense in these trying times.

“It has been a most difficult harvest and it is vital farmers are able to pull out all the stops to maximise yield, reduce their losses and the knock-on effect of further increases in food prices.

“There are also serious issues for livestock farmers who face a dearth of straw for bedding. So we applaud a decision made in the interests of everyone.”

NFU eastern region spokesman Brian Finnerty said: “Like many industries that rely on good weather during the summer, farming is suffering because of record rainfalls that have been recorded in the last few months. Fields have been flooded and it has been impossible, in some parts of the country, to access crops.

“The NFU is working hard with its regional offices to get an accurate picture of what impact this is having but there is a definite recognition that this summer will be hard to recover from.”

Source : EDP