Clarkson's Farm Production Grinds to a Halt Amid Weather and Disease Crisis
Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that filming for the hit series Clarkson's Farm has been temporarily suspended due to a combination of relentless bad weather and a devastating bovine tuberculosis outbreak. The presenter confirmed the production pause in a recent interview, citing that there is currently nothing to shoot on his 1,000-acre Oxfordshire holding.
Unprecedented Challenges at Diddly Squat Farm
Clarkson explained the dire situation to The Sunday Times, stating, "There's no filming happening on the farm at the moment. It hasn't stopped raining since the beginning of the year, so I can't plant anything, and I can't do anything with my cows either because we are still locked down by TB." This dual crisis represents the latest in a long line of obstacles for the television personality turned farmer.
The bovine tuberculosis (bTB) outbreak that struck the Cotswolds farm in October 2025 has proven particularly catastrophic. bTB is a chronic respiratory disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis that forces the culling of infected cattle and can also infect wildlife like badgers, deer, goats, and pigs. This disease outbreak follows what Clarkson described as the "worst year ever" in 2025, marked by climate-driven disasters including heatwaves and drought that led to a "shocking" harvest.
Impact on Future Seasons and Farming Industry
The forthcoming fifth season of Clarkson's Farm is expected to focus extensively on the bTB outbreak, which represents one of the biggest challenges facing the British farming industry today. Clarkson had previously indicated he would only commit to a sixth season if there was "a good story" to focus on, though current conditions have made even basic farming operations impossible.
This production delay comes despite the show's remarkable success as one of Prime Video's most-streamed television programs. The series documents Clarkson's journey since he purchased the land in 2008 and decided to run the farm himself after the previous manager retired in 2019.
Business Ventures Beyond the Farm
While farming operations have stalled, Clarkson has expanded his business interests in recent years. In July 2024, he took over The Windmill pub in Asthall, renaming it The Farmer's Dog. This "village boozer" situated on five acres of countryside near Burford featured in the latest series of Clarkson's Farm.
However, Clarkson recently told The Times that he is "done with business" and ruled out any similar ventures in the future, claiming he "doesn't understand it" and isn't motivated by money. "I just want a good craic," he explained, suggesting his focus remains on the farming challenges rather than commercial expansion.
The current production halt underscores the very real struggles facing British farmers, with climate extremes and disease outbreaks creating unprecedented challenges for agricultural operations across the country.
