The NFU has launched its #YourHarvest campaign for 2024 to show the important contribution the arable sector makes to the UK economy and food supply.

British arable famers will share their stories of hard work and dedication this harvest on social media platforms, including Facebook, X, TikTok and Instagram.

These will explain what’s being grown in the fields, how crops are being used, such as wheat for breadmaking and barley for beer, and how the produce ends up on people’s plates.

See also: Defra secretary promises more help for flood-hit farmers

Following months of wet weather and horrendous flooding combined with high production costs, ongoing market volatility and against a backdrop of reduced farm support, confidence in the arable sector is at an all-time low.

With less than a month to go until the general election on 4 July, the NFU is calling on the next government to further support those farming businesses hit by some of the most challenging weather conditions in living memory.

Wet weather woes

NFU combinable crops board chairman Jamie Burrows said six months of continuous wet weather has led to devastating flooding and thousands of acres of productive farmland affected. 

Consequently, many NFU farmer-members have been unable to get onto fields to plant crops and those that did manage it have lost much of what was already in the ground.

“For those that have planted, it’s now a wait and see game with what the summer holds.

“We literally are in the lap of the weather gods,” said Mr Burrows, launching the campaign from the Cereals event, which is being held this year in Newnham, Hertfordshire.

“It’s great that further measures were announced recently to ensure more arable farmers are getting the support they need to recover and rebuild, such as widening the scope of the Farm Recovery Fund.”

In the run-up to the election, the NFU will be talking to candidates from all political parties to promote its own election manifesto, to help politicians understand the importance of UK food security.

‘Boost food production’

Whichever party wins the general election should instigate further practical policies to allow the nation’s arable farmers to boost home-grown food production and their important work in protecting and enhancing the environment, the NFU says.

The NFU’s proposed Farm Business Investment Loans (FBILs), if introduced, would also enable many farmers and growers to weather the current, highly volatile commercial conditions, but crucially, invest in their farming businesses to become more resilient in the future.

Farmers, growers and members of the public can show their support for British harvest this summer by sharing their photos and videos on social media using #YourHarvest.