Countryfile’s Adam Henson addresses ‘devastating loss’ as he’s forced to ‘tough it out’

Countryfile’s Adam Henson has opened up about how he's had to "tough it out" after he and his fellow farmers experienced a "devastating" loss this year.

In an article for BBC Countryfile Magazine, Adam delved into the impact of Britain's "wild" weather on the farming industry and explained how he was also badly affected by heavy rain.

It led to a late harvest on the land he farms in the Cotswolds,and the loss of the peak yield. However, the Countryfile star admitted it had been worse for others and explained his approach when faced with difficult weather conditions.

Adam revealed: "We tough it out and carry on, but only recently has the impact of prolonged poor weather on farmers' mental health been appreciated.

"In the last 12 months, I've started to take a particular interest in rural mental health, speaking to dozens of farmers of all ages about their experiences, encouraging everyone to talk about their worries and launching the Keeping on Track podcast."

He continued: "Make no mistake, in the worst-hit regions, this year's record-breaking wet spring has been devastating."

In June, The Met Office revealed that the UK had experienced its sixth wettest spring on record and its wettest since 1986 this year, with 32 per cent more rain than average.

Earlier this month, it was reported that England faced one of its worst harvests ever, with farmers struggling to plant in waterlogged fields and wheat harvests cut by a fifth due to the weather, according to Government data.

Tom Lancaster, the land, food and farming analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said it had been a "year to forget" for many farmers.

Adam has previously admitted they'd "struggled to make ends meet” on his farm, where he lives with his wife, Charlie, and children, Alfie and Ella.

The TV presenter, who lived on Bemborough Farm near Guiting Power while growing up, also founded Cotswold Farm Park, a visitor attraction offering lamb feeding, rides and glamping.

Last year, he revealed to the Keeping on Track podcast that it was this second project that allowed the farm to continue. He also said it was a similar picture for other farms.

He explained due to "political change", their subsidy scheme was being "reduced quite significantly" and went on to say "straight agriculture is very difficult".

Adam, who also starred in Nigel and Adam's Farm Kitchen with Nigel Slater, and Countryfile Summer Diaries, started presenting Countryfile on the BBC in 2001.

You can catch the next episode of Countryfile on Sunday, September 29, on BBC ONE at 5.15pm.