All a bit of a disaster: Farmer tells of heat and dry weather impact
Angela Serino is the director of Beetle Bank Open Farm & Wild Sanctuary in York – a small, open, working farm where the public can visit the animals.
Beetle Bank – which has goats, pigs, alpacas and rabbits – grows its own hay on ten acres of land.
But with Yorkshire experiencing one of its driest years on record, Ms Serino said Beetle Bank will not be able to operate as usual.
'This year we're expecting to have less than a quarter of the hay that we usually have,' she told the PA news agency.
'Nobody else seems interested around here but it's stressing me out big time because our animals are part of the system. You can't just be without them, and we can't be without food for them.'
She continued: 'It's going to mean more animals will have to go than usual.
'Winter's always a bad time for us because we have very little income coming in and now we'll have a massive, massive food bill to find the money for as well because we'll have to feed our animals hard food and hope that there's plenty of that about.'
Beetle Bank usually produces around 50 to 70 big bales of hay a year.
(Image: Beetle Bank Open Farm /PA Wire)
'I'm not expecting to have more than about ten this year looking at the fields,' Ms Serino said.
'That's a couple of thousands of pounds down the drain before you get going never mind the feed that you have to buy in to replace that.'
The farm director has been in contact with other farmers in the area who have told her they will have 'very little' hay for sale this year.
She told PA that Beetle Bank is looking into an irrigation system to mitigate the impact from dry and hot weather if the same conditions return next year.
Ms Serino said: 'Strangely enough I've been thinking about it all spring – this spring when it was really hot and dry, and I was thinking should I go out, should I buy a water canon of some description and you just think that this is Britain and it will change.
(Image: Beetle Bank Open Farm /PA Wire)
'You don't want to spend £5,000 on some sort of water system that sprinkles the fields when you don't have to and at the end of the day I should have just gone and done it then I wouldn't be in the state I'm in today.
'It's all a bit of a disaster to be honest.
'I don't remember being stressed about the winter in the summer before, except for 2019 where it poured with rain from the middle of middle of May until, god, I think February.'
Ms Serino is not currently getting any support from the Government, saying it 'doesn't care about farming'.
(Image: Beetle Bank Open Farm /PA Wire)
'In an ideal world, they could go around and give us all a grant for the machinery we need to make what we need,' she said.
'There was a grant going not long ago but it's so difficult to actually apply for these things. There's so many hoops you've got to jump through to actually get something and you have to match the funding.
'Well, if you don't have any money it's very difficult to match funding.
'It's difficult times, and farming is not good.'
Besides the issues with hay yields, Ms Serino said the farm has used 'an awful lot more water than usual' this year and has struggled to put up fencing it needed because the ground is 'like a rock'.
The hot weather has also impacted revenue from visitors.
'Today and yesterday, we've only half the customers we should have because they don't like this weather,' Ms Serino told PA.
'So when it gets this hot, it has an effect on your revenue as well as your costs.
'We are way down on revenue today. This will be one of the worst Saturdays we've had in a long time.'
She said the climate has gone 'completely upside down inside out' in the last five or six years.
'I just sort of saw it coming, but not properly,' she said. 'I saw something coming but not the actual extent that it is until you're sat on the doorstep with it.
'It's difficult to predict but I didn't really predict that you'd have months and months of no rain.
'I mean, every week you look at the weather and it says rain. I look on my phone now and it says it's raining Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and it just doesn't rain.'
Yorkshire and the North East has seen an average of just 242.8mm of rain so far in 2025 – less than half the amount that had fallen by this stage last year (542.3mm).
Cumulative rainfall so far this year is the lowest for this part of the country since 1959, when 238.1mm had fallen by July 9.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Liverpool tour diary: Slot's shift from Klopp time, Mac Allister's Cantonese and loans latest
Arne Slot made some subtle changes on and off the pitch during his 2024-25 debut year as he led Liverpool to Premier League title glory and he has now tweaked how they approach pre-season tours, too. When the club travelled to Asia on such trips during predecessor Jurgen Klopp's reign, the players were put on 'tour time' for the duration rather than adjusting fully to the actual time difference between the UK and wherever they were. The idea was to reduce the impact of jet lag. Advertisement Hong Kong is seven hours ahead of the UK, so the squad would previously have been told to set their watches only three hours ahead of the time on Merseyside. The clocks in their rooms and in communal areas at the team hotel were also changed accordingly. It meant there was often the strange sight of players having breakfast at what was actually lunchtime and their evening meal late at night. However, 'tour time' has been ditched under Slot, with Liverpool's schedule in Hong Kong on their current tour all in sync with local time. It has made life easier for staff, who previously had to juggle events across two different time zones, and has gone down well with the players. Tuesday was a good example of why this change is working out. Being on local time meant Liverpool trained in the morning, before the heavens opened. It is common during monsoon season here for there to be heavy rainfall later in the day. By then, the players were under cover, attending various meet-and-greet events with sponsors such as Standard Chartered, Nike and Carlsberg. The mood in the camp is certainly more buoyant than Liverpool's previous visit to Hong Kong, in 2017, when the weather was so bad that several training sessions were cancelled. Klopp also had to deal with key player Philippe Coutinho agitating for a move to Barcelona. The Brazilian finally got his wish six months later. Eight years on, there has been no such disruption, and Liverpool also have the daily backup option of training inside the new Kai Tak Stadium, which has a retractable roof and air-conditioning. On Wednesday, when Slot oversaw a gruelling double session, they used the pitch next to the stadium in the adjacent sports park. Luis Diaz's future may be uncertain amid Bayern Munich's ongoing pursuit but there has been no sign on this tour of the Colombian attacker downing tools to try to force a move. He has been the same bubbly personality as normal around the squad, and you certainly couldn't question his commitment during Thursday's open session. Diaz wowed a 25,000 crowd with some mazy runs down the left flank during the training drills. At one point, he hit the deck after tangling with Mohamed Salah and claimed he had been fouled. Slot smiled and gestured to Diaz that he'd dived. The former Porto winger saw the funny side and high-fived the Dutchman as he jogged past him. Diaz was down on the turf again soon after, having been too quick for Wataru Endo, who apologised for a late challenge. Cody Gakpo also stood out with some clinical finishing, while there were some lovely touches from newcomer Florian Wirtz, who was operating centrally as a No 10. The only concern for Slot ahead of Saturday's 50,000 sell-out against Milan here was the sight of the stadium's pitch cutting up a fair bit as the session progressed. New striker Hugo Ekitike watched on, having just flown in following the completion of his £79million ($107m) move from Germany's Eintracht Frankfurt. Hugo Ekitike walks out on to the training pitch in Hong Kong. A warm embrace from Arne Slot and then he meets his new team-mates for the first time. #LFC — James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) July 24, 2025 As the session came to a close, the 23-year-old Frenchman walked onto the pitch. Slot embraced him and then he went around meeting his new team-mates, who he joined on a lap of appreciation for the fans. Ekitike has been given No 54 as a temporary squad number, with no official confirmation of the shirts Liverpool's new signings will wear in the coming season expected until after the new kit deal with Adidas is launched next month. Hundreds of fans have been camped outside the team hotel on the stunning Kowloon waterfront in the hope of catching a glimpse of their heroes. Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk delighted them by going across for a lengthy signing session. Some of the throng have been holding up Diogo Jota No 20 shirts in tribute to the Portugal international, who died in a car accident in Spain earlier this month. Hong Kong Reds intend to perform Jota's fan chant during the 20th minute of Saturday's game. Advertisement Understandably, the demands on Liverpool's players in terms of corporate events and media duties on this trip have been scaled back as they continue to grieve for a much-loved colleague and friend. Kostas Tsimikas now has a permanent reminder of Jota — a tattoo on the back of his left hand which reads: 'Wish you were here 20'. Liverpool are contractually obliged to hold one press conference in Hong Kong and another in Japan before the other game of this trip against Yokohama F. Marinos there next week. Slot will be doing them post-match in both destinations rather than before. Salah has previous for winning table-tennis tournaments on Liverpool pre-season tours, and he remains the man to beat. He has been lighting up the ping-pong contests among the squad in the team hotel. Playing the card game Uno is another popular pastime for the squad during down time. Some brought a PlayStation with them from home to set up in their rooms. Alexis Mac Allister received a warm ovation from the locals by speaking Cantonese during a corporate event for Carlsberg. 'I love you' and 'cheers' were two of the phrases the Argentina midfielder nailed, pronunciation-wise. The host informed him he was a natural. Mac Allister wasn't involved in Thursday's open training as Liverpool continue to carefully manage his workload following the injury which ruled him out for the final two games of last season. He sat watching instead, having done an individual session earlier in the day. With all of Slot's senior stars available for this tour, a lot of talented Liverpool youngsters were left behind on Merseyside. However, two who were included in the travelling party have been earning rave reviews here. Midfielder Trey Nyoni and winger Rio Ngumoha have impressed staff with their attitude and application as well as their technical ability. Both appear to have made strides physically in terms of being better able to handle the demands of senior football. Advertisement Nyoni was rewarded with a contract on improved terms when he turned 18 last month, while Ngumoha will sign his first professional deal when he celebrates his 17th birthday next month. 'Training with the best team in the world so young, it's like every kid's dream, really. (Have to) Just keep on pushing now,' Ngumoha told LFCTV. 'The sessions are intense and tough, but it's been very good. Patience is key. I don't want to rush anything. I'm young, so I'll just keep working hard, showing the manager what I can really do.' Salah is a source of great support for the youngsters and provides advice on recovery and diet. Striker Jayden Danns and midfielder James McConnell were among the academy graduates who did not fly out to Hong Kong. Given the attacking options Slot already possesses, it was decided Danns would be better off staying behind to train with the under-21s at Kirkby. The 19-year-old is still building up his fitness after last season was wrecked by a back injury. A loan is on the cards, and the same goes for McConnell, who was not in the tour squad due to a minor injury issue. There is plenty of interest in borrowing him among clubs in the second-tier Championship, with the 20-year-old set to sign a new contract before he goes.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Yorkshire Water urges people to practice caution near its reservoirs
Yorkshire Water has issued a message about safety near reservoirs. The company wished to remind people that cold water shock, hidden currents, equipment under the water, sudden drops, and other dangers make reservoirs a risk to life if they are entered. Alastair Harvey, lead countryside and woodland advisor at Yorkshire Water, said: "Feeling hot can make a dip in our reservoirs seem tempting, but it's important not to take the risk. "Sadly, we've seen incidents in Yorkshire when people have lost their lives in reservoirs and other open water. "We'd advise sticking to the walking routes on public footpaths, and don't be tempted to go for a dip in the shallows or walk on the newly exposed embankment, as there can be risks of sinking mud." The warning comes as reservoir levels remain low due to dry weather, exposing new hazards such as a sunken bridge at Baitings, and the submerged village of West End at Thruscross. Such areas should be viewed from a distance and not approached. Anyone who witnesses a fire, or someone in danger in the water, should call 999 and request the fire service.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ackers Pit first-timer catches big carp on second cast
Lukasz Procek with all the latest club and fishing news in his 14th Warrington Anglers' Association column for Warrington Guardian… It certainly was a bit wet and windy this week, but not as bad as the weather forecast had predicted at least. We definitely needed a bit of rain to top up some of the lakes and reservoirs, and avoid the dreaded hosepipe ban, so there's a silver lining at least! Before we go fishing, I have some important updates. As some of you might have already heard, there was a KHV outbreak at one of the north west venues. WAA waters are not affected as of yet so let's continue doing our bit to help protect your fish stock. 'Check, clean, dry' is the best method in preventing disease spread. If you are visiting a venue that provides dip nets, please use them; along with 'check, clean, dry.' This applies to anything that came into contact with water, so don't forget your wellies and net bags too! If we all do our bit, and practise good hygiene, hopefully we can avoid an outbreak at one of our waters. Onto this Saturday now, Helen Dagnall is organising a fundraising open match and raffle on the River Mersey. Funds and fees raised on the day will help the England Ladies squad compete in the 2025 World Championships - taking place in Mantova, Italy. There are some amazing prizes to be won in the raffle from GURU, DRENNAN, BAIT TECH and many more. For more information, or to book your place in the match, contact 07749 237947 or visit Newton Tackle and Bait. Let's have a look at what has been happening on our local waters. New member Anthony Sheldon went for an outing to Ackers Pit. It was Anthony's first visit since getting his license. He picked his spot with some marginal plants and started fishing. Using double sweetcorn on the hook Anthony didn't have to wait long for his reward, because on his second cast he caught a cracking carp - possibly one of the biggest residents of the pool. Well done Anthony. Anthony Sheldon with the carp he landed at Ackers Pit (Image: Contributed) Malcolm Turner picked the Bridgewater Canal at Moore for a short day adventure. Fishing float and double red maggot he was bagging up on quality perch. After about a dozen or so perch, he thought it might be a good time to switch bait and try for something bigger. Malcolm replaced maggot with worm and cast out. It definitely worked, he caught a chunky perch, comfortably over a pound. After a couple of hours he ended his haul with a total of 37 perch and a solitary roach. A lovely little session. Paul Brimelow accompanied young Elle Hauser at Appleton Reservoir on her first fishing trip since becoming a junior member. Elle only just got her membership, so Paul was offering some guidance with fishing gear and tactics. He is clearly a very good teacher, and Elle a good pupil, because she caught an amazing 6.5lb tench. What an amazing result. Looking at the ear-to-ear smile, she will definitely remember this day for a very long time. Well done to both of you. Elle Hauser with the 6.5lb tench she caught in her first fishing session (Image: Contributed) Ken Hewitt was flying solo again this week. The other half of the 'Dynamic Duo' was on very important grandad duties which always take priority. Ken planned his adventure and decided he would visit some of the stretches on the Bridgewater Canal that he had fished as a young boy. With a new challenge, he first ventured to Lymm-Camsley Lane, just by the marina. In the first half an hour he caught three roach. Ken kept it simple fishing a six metre whip, float and double maggot. Another day and another adventure, with some maggots left over from the previous day, he went to Thomason's Bridge at Walton. Ken was rewarded with five quality perch and a record-breaking roach (or should I say micro-roach). Ken told me that it was by far the smallest fish he had caught this year. Still a record breaker in its own right though! Worthington Lake was Stephen Nicholson's choice of venue for his fishing adventure. As a groundbait he mixed up two pints of hemp, casters, mashed sweetcorn and mixed pellets. He prepared his swim by casting a cage feeder filled with his chosen blend about 20 yards out, and fished method feeder with 8mm wafter. Stephen was rewarded with three bream, each one progressively better. First was 7lbs 10ozs followed by 8lbs 6ozs and finally a belting 9lbs 10ozs. Fantastic weights, well done. Stephen Nicholson with his biggest bream of the day (Image: Contributed) Anthony Higham's report from the River Mersey match 20/07/2025: River level at the start was 3.6 metres. Lewis Whiteman won the match with weight 16-15-0. He drew peg 64 and was mainly catching skimmers on the pole. Lewis Whiteman with his matchwinning net of fish (Image: Contributed) Second place Martin Lenihan on peg 59 fished pole and tip for the weight 13-5-0. Third place, same as last week, Harry Billing on peg 55 and weight 12-13-0. Well done everyone. Sunday's draw is at 8.45 am, Victoria Park. Make sure to have your valid WAA license with you. To book on text 07961 855790 or through the dedicated Facebook page. Jimmy Byrne's report from the Disabled and Over 60s match at Preston Brook: Lots of roach and perch caught during the match with occasional bream. Alan Faulkner aka ''Big Al'' took the top spot with weight 7-8-8. Alan Faulkner with his basket of fish (Image: Contributed) Runner-up Tony Carr managed to catch a bonus bream weighing 4-15-0 on bread. His total weight was 6-11-0. Tony Carr with the bream he landed (Image: Contributed) Pinkie and casters worked really well. Well done to everyone. Results: 1. A. Faulkner 7-8-8 2. T. Carr 6-11-0 3. R. Rogers 5-14-8 Next match at Delph Lane. Just a reminder that WAA headquarters will be open again tomorrow, Friday, from 6.30pm until 8.30pm. Come along for a chat or to have your questions answered. Send your catch reports to quartermaster@ or message 07395 185026. Include a brief description and method used with a picture or two where possible.
