Building Farm Resilience in an Unpredictable Climate

We heard how weather trends are predicted to change, with an increase in warmer, wetter and more extreme conditions.  Our panel looked at some of the challenges coming down the line in terms of managing water, from a regulatory perspective, the need for financial support for mitigation measures and the impact on the farm business, to wider issues such as land use and food security.  Retailers have high expectations – without water for irrigation and there is a real risk of farms losing that business if they can’t supply on time and to a quality specification.

Cupar-based grower James Orr noted how he had installed irrigation lagoons to guarantee a source of water at key times in the vegetable production cycle, prompted by restrictions on abstraction in 2022 and 2025. Despite the paperwork needed to access grant funding, the exercise had been worthwhile.

James Porter’s East Scryne Farm supplies soft fruits to supermarkets across the UK alongside his successful farm shop and café.  Boreholes were installed at East Scryne to secure water for fruit production, supporting irrigation of fruit crops in poly tunnels at 30-minute intervals during the growing season.  James Porter has also installed a lagoon as a backup supply to support the business at times of water scarcity.

Climate predictions suggest this weather trend could intensify going forward, so taking action now is one way to reduce the impact on the farm business in the longer term.  There’s more information across on our webpages – search for water scarcity.

Photo Caption: Event Chaired by Head of SAC Consulting Chloe McCulloch (not pictured).  Speakers from L to R; Alex Pirie (SAC), James Orr (Milton of Blebo), James Porter (East Scryne), David Michie (NFU Scotland) and Rachel Harding-Hill (SEPA).