Flooding was top of the agenda for delegates attending the National Farmers Union conference last week, according to a report in today’s Guardian. Up and down the country framers report having had one of their worst winter’s ever with fields inundate, crops ruined and planting delayed. Demand for seed for spring sowing has driven up prices because of scarcity of supply.

‘In the 12 months to January,’ the article says, ‘only four of England’s 139 hydrological areas (regions around rivers, lakes and other water sources) were classed as having normal rainfall levels. Of the remaining areas, 47 were rated as having notably high levels, and 76 – more than half – were deemed exceptionally high.’

These figures demonstrate just how serious flooding is becoming across the country and why the government needs to do more in response.

Forecasts for this years grain harvest predict a 25% drop in yields. Some farmers are calling for better flood protection and higher levels of compensation.