Farmer puts on brave face after his 'scary' year

Colin Chappell's farm has been blighted by heavy rain

A farmer has had to "paint a face on" to avoid showing his children how the past year of farming has taken a toll on his mental health.

Colin Chappell, who farms in Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire, said his harvest had been reduced to just 10 of the 300 acres of wheat he planted last winter, after heavy rain left his land waterlogged.

Mr Chappell spoke about his "horrible six or seven months" for the BBC's Farmwatch project, which is putting a spotlight on the highs and lows of farming life.

"I can really let it get to me," he added. "It can really take its toll."

Colin Chappell's harvest usually lasts over a week, this year it was finished in one afternoon

Mr Chappell has a son and daughter who want to follow him into agriculture.

But this year has been "scary", he said. "Especially when you've got a contract that says you've must deliver 350 tonnes of wheat and you've only got 40 to give them."

He is one of a number of Lincolnshire farmers who have spoken about their battle with heavy rain.

Last month, John Moulding, of TH Clements, a leading supplier of brassicas, said the wet weather meant crops had not matured in time to meet demand.

And Paul Clegg, who runs a pick-your-own berries farm in Grantham, said had had faced his "most difficult season in 42 years of growing fruit".

After the problems with his winter planting, Mr Chappell sowed more wheat in late spring.

"It's lower yielding," he said. "I can do 12 tonnes per hectare with winter wheat, but with spring wheat I'm looking at six tonnes."

"I have high hopes for that, but they are small high hopes, if that makes sense?"

Follow BBC Lincolnshire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]