Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has been sharing the farming challenges his Cotswold Farm Park has faced this summer – from an early harvest and drought to the threat of wildfires
Adam Henson opened up about the difficulties facing the farm (Image: BBC)
Farmers across the nation have endured a brutal summer – and Adam Henson has not been spared.
The Countryfile presenter co-owns and runs the Cotswold Farm Park near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. Beyond attracting visitors from across the country, it functions as an authentic, operational farm.
In a recent video posted on the Cotswold Farm Park YouTube channel, the BBC personality explained just how devastating the harvest has proved for the farm – while also highlighting another issue that has been troubling local farmers.
Wildfires have emerged in numerous areas across the UK, including the Cotswolds. While his farm has thus far escaped them, the television host acknowledges “it’s pretty scary”.
He said: “Goodness me, look at the dust. It shows how dry it is. It’s quite a fire risk as well. We have to be quite careful with overheating engines and any sparks coming off anything,” reports Gloucestershire Live.
“Thankfully so far on this farm in particular, we’ve been OK. But I know others in the region have had some fires, which is pretty scary when it’s hot.”
Large swathes of central and southern England, including the Cotswolds, have experienced no substantial rainfall for between five and seven weeks.
This, combined with consistent temperatures exceeding 30C and beyond, has created ideal circumstances for wildfires to ignite.
Adam guided YouTube viewers around the farm to demonstrate just how challenging the harvest has proved due to the conditions. He said: “It’s been absolutely bone dry for over a month. And our lambs here are going to need to be fed hard food and we’re going to have to get some silage because you can see the grass has just turned brown.
“There’s nothing much for them to eat. We’ve got lots of livestock on the farm. Many of you will come to the Cotswwell Farm Park to see our collection of rare farm animals, but we’ve also got a large arable concern where we’re growing crops.”
Adam continued: “The weather is absolutely baking hot as it is for many people across the UK. And we’ve started our harvest probably 2 or 3 weeks earlier than normal. Last year was early because of the drought.
“This year seems to be even earlier. We usually wouldn’t start the wheat until August and unfortunately because of all the hot weather and us being on quite thin stony soil, the yields aren’t very good.”
Cotswold Farm Park was established by Adam’s father Joe Henson in 1971, who also presented television programmes including the BBC’s Animal Magic.
Adam assumed responsibility for its management in 1999, and the attraction now boasts more than 50 flocks and herds of rare-breed farm animals, alongside indoor and outdoor play areas, a restaurant and a programme of seasonal events.
