Extreme storms will hit county twice as often and will change the face of farming

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Thursday, August 26, 2010
Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

This is Lincolnshire

FARMERS and county residents might need to keep their umbrellas closer to hand and wildlife head for higher ground, after forecasters warned extreme rain could fall twice as often in future.

In a report prepared for government regulator Ofwat, the Met Office's Michael Sanderson projects that storms that currently only ravage Lincolnshire once every 30 years could potentially occur more than once a decade by 2080.

And that could mean more flooding, leading to fundamental changes in the county's farming with more temperate crops such as soya taking over and more animals being forced inside as grazing fields become muddy quagmires.

NFU East Midlands' regional environment adviser Paul Tame said climate change would lead to more extreme weather events such as heat-waves, storms and heavy rainfall, so the effects on farming, in turn, are likely to increase.

"These changes in the weather could cause problems such as soil erosion, crop damage or even total crop loss," he said.

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15 Comments

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by Julian, Slovenia

    Saturday, August 28 2010, 5:30PM

    “So that's what they mean by natural justice.

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by FRANK, LINCOLN

    Friday, August 27 2010, 7:25AM

    “Poor cash strapped farmers i feel real sorry for the poor bliters,Maybe they will
    now have bigger pheasant and patridge hatcherys so even more young foul can be shot by so called country gentlmen with shotguns.
    Go in the corner of most fields and you find sweetcorn to hide pheasant and partridge pens for fattening young foul ready to be let out into the wild with no knowledge of the dangers of the wild only to feed at feeding stations layed out along hedge rows(so gamekeeper knows where to find thier prey easier on shoot day)a bird will always feed where there is a plenty supply of food.
    So all you Brave farmers out there
    no worrys about weather just wear a rain coat when out slaughtering your prey.And yes i was raised on farm and not a townie.”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by John, Lincoln

    Thursday, August 26 2010, 4:37PM

    “Not really a case of being pedantic, more accurate. Nope, me tan has sadly faded, still least I managed to get one unlike 2007 and 2008.”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by Will, The Shire

    Thursday, August 26 2010, 4:23PM

    “Well, if you're going to be pedantic.

    This time of the year is traditionally a wet period for a few weeks, after a period of hot spells. Still got your tan?”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by John, Lincoln

    Thursday, August 26 2010, 3:34PM

    “Will, climate and weather are two different things. However if you insist, most climate change models predict a wetter UK. How have the last few summers been for you? Enjoying today's sunshine?”

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