How to Build Financial Resilience Against Extreme Weather Events on Your Farm
This summer has seen large parts of the UK gripped by drought, while the past two winters brought record-breaking rainfall and widespread flooding — particularly across the North. For many of the farmers I work with, these extremes aren’t isolated incidents but part of a worrying pattern. Building resilience isn’t just about reacting to the weather anymore. It’s about planning for it — and having the financial tools in place to protect your business.
The Rising Challenge of Weather Extremes in UK Agriculture
Weather has always played a role in farming – but the scale, intensity, and unpredictability we’re seeing now is something different.
From scorched fields and failing forage crops to waterlogged yards and inaccessible tracks, extreme weather is taking a toll on productivity, livestock welfare, and mental wellbeing. And for many in the pig and poultry sectors – where margins are tight and infrastructure is crucial – the financial consequences can be severe.
It’s clear that farm resilience is no longer “nice to have”. It’s an essential part of safeguarding your land, stock, and income.
Resilience in Practice: On-Farm Measures to Weather-Proof Your Business
Building resilience means thinking ahead. It’s about making smart, strategic investments that can reduce your exposure to risk and help you bounce back faster when disruption occurs. Here are some of the most effective strategies I’ve seen in action across the North:
1. Flood Defences and Drainage Improvements
Many farms across Cumbria, Yorkshire and Lancashire have faced repeat flooding over the past two winters. Some are now investing in:
- Reprofiling ditches and watercourses
- Installing culverts and sump pumps
- Elevating key structures like feed stores or pig housing
These measures are not just about protection — they reduce costly downtime and losses when floods hit.
2. Water Storage and Irrigation
After a dry summer like this one, the importance of water security couldn’t be clearer. Farmers are exploring:
- Above-ground reservoirs and collection tanks
- Efficient irrigation systems for high-value crops or forage
- Rainwater harvesting systems for poultry sheds
For those in pigs and poultry, clean water access is essential for animal welfare. Resilience here is about protecting both productivity and compliance.
3. Soil Health and Field Management
More farmers are adopting regenerative practices to improve soil structure and resilience:
- Cover crops to reduce erosion and improve infiltration
- Reduced tillage to retain moisture
- Aeration and organic matter applications to aid drainage in heavy soils
4. Diversification and Alternative Income
One of the most effective ways to build financial resilience is to diversify. I’ve worked with several clients who’ve introduced:
- Farm shops or egg vending machines
- Campsites or glamping pods
- Contract rearing or bed-and-breakfast livestock systems
These ventures bring in new income streams that aren’t directly weather-dependent — helping to steady the ship when agricultural output is disrupted.
Finance for Farm Resilience: How UK Agricultural Finance Can Help
As a lender focused solely on agriculture, we understand the unique challenges that come with extreme weather — because we talk to farmers dealing with it every day.
At UK Agricultural Finance, we provide tailored loan solutions that can help fund:
- Flood mitigation works and water infrastructure
- New buildings or equipment upgrades for climate resilience
- Diversification projects that spread income risk
- Debt restructuring for farms hit hard by recent weather events
Our approach is different. We lend against the value of your land and your long-term business potential, not just last year’s accounts. This is especially important for businesses going through recovery, or those hit by multiple seasons of disruption.
Looking Ahead: Don’t Wait for the Next Crisis
One of the hardest parts of my role is speaking to farmers after the damage is done — when the yard is underwater, the silage has failed, or cash flow has ground to a halt.
The good news? There are options. But the best time to plan for financial resilience is before the next crisis hits.
Whether you’re looking to invest in new infrastructure, restructure your finances after a tough year, or build a buffer through diversification, a proactive conversation can make all the difference.
Supporting Your Long-Term Farm Resilience
Farmers in the North are no strangers to adversity — but the weather extremes of recent years are testing even the most experienced operators.
Building resilience is not about doing everything at once. It’s about identifying the biggest risks on your farm and taking steps to reduce their impact, with the right financial support behind you.
At UK Agricultural Finance, we’re here to support you with practical, tailored funding solutions — whether you’re rebuilding after a flood or future-proofing your poultry enterprise for hotter summers.
Let’s Talk
If you’d like to discuss how we can help strengthen your farm’s resilience to extreme weather, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m based here in the North and always happy to speak with farmers who want to protect the future of their business.
– Louise Old, Client Relationship Manager – North