BBC Countryfile's Adam Henson opens up on 'devastating' blow as he tries to 'tough it out'

Countryfile's Adam Henson has candidly shared his experiences of "toughing it out" after facing a "devastating" blow to farming due to Britain's extreme weather conditions.

Writing for BBC Countryfile Magazine, Adam discussed the severe impact that the UK's "wild" weather has had on agriculture, including his own struggles with heavy rainfall.

The inclement weather resulted in a delayed harvest on his Cotswold farm and a significant drop in peak yield. Despite the setback, Adam acknowledged that others have had it worse and shared his strategy for dealing with adverse weather.

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

He has become increasingly involved in raising awareness about rural mental health over the past year, engaging with numerous farmers, promoting open conversations about their concerns, and starting the Keeping on Track podcast.

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

The Met Office confirmed that the UK endured its sixth wettest spring on record and the wettest since 1986, with rainfall levels 32 per cent above average.

Earlier this month, reports emerged that England was grappling with one of its worst harvests in history. Government data revealed that farmers were battling to plant crops in waterlogged fields and wheat harvests had been reduced by a fifth due to adverse weather conditions.

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

Adam has previously confessed that they've "struggled to make ends meet" on his farm, where he resides with his wife, Charlie, and their children, Alfie and Ella.

The TV host, who grew up on Bemborough Farm near Guiting Power, is also the founder of Cotswold Farm Park, a visitor attraction offering lamb feeding, rides and glamping.

Last year, during an episode of the Keeping on Track podcast, he disclosed that it was this secondary venture that enabled the farm to stay afloat. He added that other farms were facing similar circumstances.

He elaborated that due to "political change", their subsidy scheme was being "reduced quite significantly" and stated that "straight agriculture is very difficult".

Adam, who also featured in Nigel and Adam's Farm Kitchen with Nigel Slater, and Countryfile Summer Diaries, began his stint as a presenter on BBC's Countryfile in 2001.