Inflation, drought: repeated “mass blows” for an English farmer

Electricity bills for the 4,250ha Euston estate, 130km north-east of London, will quadruple this year. “£370,000” (438,000 euros), explains its manager Andrew Blenkron.

This is the result of a tripling of rates at a time when parts of the United Kingdom will once again experience temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius, but the weather will require more water to be pumped.

with “Incredibly hot and very dry air”It needs water “Probably twice as many” In the potato fields, Mr. Blengiron assures. During this season, its level should reach a maximum of 5m, but it is almost empty.

The land in this part of Suffolk is very fertile and receives sufficient nutrients and water. However, the region received only 10% of normal rainfall in July, and less than 50% in three months.

Limit water consumption

The past exceptionally dry months in central and southern England have led to the introduction of restrictions on water consumption in some areas and have been a blow to fruit and vegetable growers, whose production has been decimated. Euston Estate irrigates potatoes during the harvest season. In contrast, sugar beets are left to fend for themselves.

Mr. Discovered by accident by Blenkron, some, about the size of a volleyball, sport a wiry and stunted appearance. “We think the return will be halved”The manager confirms that he is hoping for the return of rainfall through the seasonal openings of the sugar mill at the end of September, because “Yoga can recover (a lot) most significant”.

On the other hand, it is already late for fodder corn used in animal feed, which will pose “Real difficulties this winter” To operate the methanization unit of the plantation.

The oil shock has tripled the price of fertilizers and doubled the price of fuel for tractors and harvesters. Euston, owned by the Dukes of Grafton for 350 years, is forced to bear these increases alone as prices for the 2022 harvests are contractually fixed.

On the contrary, “If energy prices stay the same next year, we will have to pass these costs on to our customers.”Mr. Meanwhile, inflation is already at its highest since the 1980s, Blenkron warns.

If there is not enough rain this winter, “The most difficult decisions will be made in the quantities we are going to sow.”.