Smithills Open Farm owner shares struggles caused by wet weather

Smithills Open Farm owner Carl Grimshaw has shared the trials and tribulations the farm is battling with due to the wet weather, which is impacting their ability to plant crops as well as the animals not being turned out to pasture.

Carl said the weather is making it "increasingly difficult".

He said: "I know it seems everyone is talking about how bad the current British weather is, but it really is the worst I have experienced as a next generation farmer.

“Farming is seriously hard graft anyway but the daily struggle and fight with the weather makes it increasingly difficult for us to manage.

Cows on the farm (Image: NQ)

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“We farm in Bolton so here is our current situation. Rain almost every day, the ground is absolutely saturated.

"The grass is barely growing because it’s so cold and wet.

“We need to get onto the fields to plant crops to grow for harvesting in autumn but there is absolutely no chance as of yet.

“We normally have our first cut of spring grass the first week in May. This is winter feed for our dairy cows. We need to see some serious dry, warmer weather for this to even be possible.

“Spring is here, baby animals are being born every day at the farm, particularly baby lambs and goats.

“We should be enjoying watching them being turned out to pasture, instead we are having to keep them indoors, we are lucky enough to be able to do this at the moment, or forcing the little ones out in the boggy, rainy conditions to give them a run out.”

Cows on the farm (Image: NQ)Carl said the bad weather is also impacting the farm staff.

He added: “It’s been a long hard slog through winter for the staff, not just the ones looking after the animals in all conditions but the milkmen delivering our milk in the mornings.

“Coming back every morning sodden after delivery, it’s just not let up. It’s been a difficult time. I hope it’s not long until everything gets better."

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.