Framlingham farmer faces crop losses after Storm Babet flood

Kris Grzelak, farm manager at Tuckwell Farms, a 2,000-acre business at Kettleburgh Lodge, Framlingham, said newly-planted winter wheat fields were most heavily affected.

"We have seen heavy rainfall but we have never seen such heavy flooding - after a wet summer the water table was already quite high," he said.

"It just didn't have anywhere to go down into the ground . It left the surface of the fields and ran off we can engineer to stop that. We need to get better at managing water - storing water in reservoirs on farm."

He added: "Everything that was planted and established has survived and is all OK. Anything that we have drilled recently in the last week or two weeks it's now looking like there's high potential it will rot.

"It's a little bit worrying. We have invested quite a lot in crops and there's quite a large potential there's going to be high failure."

They were also more at risk from slugs and pest as a result of the deluge, he said.  "It's quite a worrying and frustrating situation," he said.

"I think we'll probably take a view in a few weeks when hopefully things dry up if there's a possibility to patch some headlands up or if not, take a financial hit."

Another worry for his saturated land in the light of wet weather forecast is the state of Kris' 400 acres of crops still to harvest. He has 250 acres of parsley and 120-130 acres of maize left to bring in.

"They have survived it but I'm not looking forward to seeing harvests in the floods. There's going to be a fair mess left behind.

"It's a real tough decision because we know if we go on the land we are going to crucify all the land."

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) is demanding government action after Storm Babet left vast areas of farmland underwater.

It wants it to match its talk about the importance of UK food security with a comprehensive water management strategy to improve flood resilience - including adequate investment - so UK farmers can continue producing the nation’s food.

Many farmers are now seeing next year’s crops rotting underwater after a devastatingly wet 2023 harvest which was the most expensive crop ever grown due to inflation and saw yields tumble, it warned.

NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw - who farms near Colchester - said: “We are seeing desperate scenes across the country with many areas experiencing devastating flooding. Sadly, lives have been lost and our thoughts are with those families affected.

“The farming community too has been impacted with hundreds of acres of productive farmland under water and land that’s now inaccessible.

"We’re hearing desperate stories from many of our members who are struggling to get crops out of the ground from this season or are still to plant autumn crops for next year.

"Those crops that are in the ground are likely to rot meaning the output and profitability of next year’s harvest is already seriously compromised, building on an unprecedented year in terms of weather and cost.

"This really is a perfect storm with farmers and growers now facing further financial burdens at a time when on-farm costs are already running high and government support payments are being phased out.

He called for ambitious upgrades of ageing rural flood defences, drainage and waterways as well as regular maintenance.

"We also need to look at where farming protects adjacent urban areas by absorbing and holding flood water at personal cost to the farms themselves. These businesses must be reimbursed for the public goods being provided on the back of government decisions made," he said.

“A serious commitment by government and regulatory authorities to plan, upgrade and invest in the nation’s water management and infrastructure will have benefits for everyone, including our farmers and growers, so they are able to continue producing climate-friendly sustainable food.”