Adam Henson has opened up about the tough realities of farming in the UK. The Countryfile star, who co-owns and runs Cotswold Farm Park, admitted he has been "up against it" after "three difficult years" in the industry.
Struggles at Bemborough Farm
In a new YouTube vlog, Henson revealed that Bemborough Farm, his specific tenancy, had struggled to make profits. "It's really feeling a bit tough and my personality is such that I want to be really positive about farming. I think it's one of the best jobs in the world, but actually arable farming at the moment is hard. Really hard," he said.
Grain Growing Challenges
Giving fans a glimpse of his spring barley, Henson confessed that growing grain has become difficult business. Examining a piece typically used for whiskey or beer making, he said, "because of the drought and because of our thin soil, the yields may not be that good."
"That hits us significantly when it comes to the profitability of the farm. With the reduced yield and global commodity prices being quite low for wheat and barley, although they're lifting a little bit at the moment, there's not going to be a lot of profit in growing grain."
Looking Ahead to 2027
"Harvest is an exciting time of year," he continued. "You know, it's when we should be reaping the benefits of all of our hard work. The crops we planted last autumn and spring, we've worked hard. We've invested in them. We've looked after them and now is the time to reap those grains into the shed and hopefully make a profit. But sadly, this year it's not looking good for us and lots of other arable farmers across the UK."
As he took fans inside the grain store, Henson noted: "We've certainly been up against it. We could do with a very good 2027 please."
