Farming through extreme weather: How to build resilience

Recent seasons have highlighted the scale of the challenge. From record-breaking rainfall and flooding in 2024 to prolonged dry spells and heat in 2025, the UK farm struggles with extreme weather are becoming more frequent and more intense. As Pete explains, what were once considered rare events are now happening far more often, with significant consequences for yields, livestock and day-to-day operations.

Understanding the shift in weather patterns

Long-term climate projections suggest this volatility is set to continue. Warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers are expected, alongside more frequent extremes such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall.

Pete highlights how these shifts are already affecting farming systems in different ways. While some crops may benefit in certain years, others face serious disruption. “Some of these extreme events… can have really detrimental impacts on certain crops or systems or regions and in some cases beneficial ones on others,” he explains. 

For farmers, this means planning can no longer rely on historic patterns alone. Instead, there is a growing need to build flexibility into systems and prepare for a wider range of conditions.

Practical steps to strengthen resilience

On farm, building operational resilience often starts with the soil. At Riviera Produce, improving soil structure and organic matter has become a central focus. Through min tillage and cover cropping, the aim is to help land cope with both excess rainfall and drought.

“When we get an extreme rain, we want it to go in and we want to keep it and store it for our extremely dry spells,” says David, describing how healthier soils can buffer excessive conditions. 

Technology is also playing a part. Riviera Produce has installed weather stations across multiple sites allowing better visibility of local conditions and helping teams respond quickly to manage operations more efficiently.

Alongside this, flexibility in labour is essential. Agricultural workforce planning now requires a more dynamic approach, with teams shifting between wet and dry weather tasks and increasing use of automation to reduce pressure during peak periods.

Planning for the future

Looking ahead, both guests stress the importance of combining short-term decision making with long-term thinking. Using a range of weather forecasts, understanding climate trends and working with advisers can all support better planning.

Collaboration across the industry is equally important, bringing together farmers, scientists and advisers to ensure information is practical and relevant on farm.

Change is already happening and adapting early will place businesses in a stronger position. As David puts it, “Don’t be afraid to try something different… just tweak things.” 

Pete agrees, referencing the need for balance between “being prepared to change things in the short term” with the understanding changes within soil take time to build up and realise the benefits, “learning from the impacts that happen through the weather.”

By focusing on soils, people and planning, farms across the South West can continue to operate effectively, whatever the weather brings.

Episode showstoppers

1.      Farmers must be aware this is a time of extremes, with more intense weather events expected.

2.      Being proactive, trying new techniques and being open to change are important for success.

3.      As new weather patterns evolve, be prepared to learn how resilience can be built from the changes needing to be made.

Listen to the full episode below - also available via Spotify and Apple podcasts.

About our guests

Professor Pete Falloon is the Met Office science lead in food security, using climate science to advise Defra on climate change impacts, resilience and adaptation. He also has a part-time role at the University of Bristol and volunteers with Food Drink Devon.

David Thomas is farm and sustainability manager at Riviera Produce, one of the UK’s leading growers of brassicas. The LEAF-Marque certified company, based in Cornwall, is run by the sixth generation of the Simmons family and has a strong commitment to sustainability, with soil health at the centre of its operations.