Water efficiency is a priority for farmers

A report by the National Farmers? Union has revealed that farmers are now spending over £3million on water efficiency measures, with 88 per cent of them using at least one method of saving water, such as pipe insulation and water leak detectors.

The ?Water Matters? survey involved 1,500 farmers and growers.

In a statement, NFU President Peter Kendall said: ?With recurrent droughts in the south east, and despite this year?s dreadfully wet summer, water is going be increasingly important to the farming industry and its potential to supply the nation with a fresh and secure food supply.?

It has indeed been a wet summer; it has been revealed today that this summer is looking to be the wettest since records began.

Provisional Met Office figures put UK rainfall at 358.5mm (14.114in), which is just ahead of the 1956 figure of 358.4mm (14.110in), although this year?s total has yet to be confirmed.