'It's the driest harvest of my lifetime in farming'

Wheat farmer Tim Carson says yields have been particularly bad this year

Arable farmers have told the BBC that this year's harvest has been one of their earliest and worst.

Tim Carson, from Alton Barnes in Wiltshire, said yields were so low that the farm might not make any money this year.

Mr Carson's rainfall records show his farm is the driest it has been in decades. He said conditions were comparable to the 1976 heatwave.

"It's something I've never experienced in my lifetime of farming – going on 45 years now. It's the driest harvest, the quickest harvest, the earliest harvest. The crop is just dying," he said.

Mr Carson has rainfall records dating back decades on his farm

He explained more rain was needed in March, April and May, when crops grow the most. His barns are only half full now.

The heat has also caused cracks in the ground, further harming crops by damaging the roots.

His biggest issue has been the lack of yield. Mr Carson said his farm normally produced nine to ten tonnes of wheat per hectare – but this year's harvest produced only six tonnes per hectare.

"Farming is 10% management, 90% weather," he added.

He said the changing weather conditions were forcing farmers to adapt but they "are up to that challenge".

Charlie Rudler farms nearby at Horton near Devizes and has had similar issues.

"It's been very dry compared to normal years, this is an exceptionally dry year," he said.

"The quality of the wheat is good, but the quantity isn't there. It's been depressing looking at the yield."

He said he would usually be safe to take a holiday at the beginning of July, but this year, he was out working on the harvest already.

Mr Rudler added that it was now tricky to plan planting crops without any moisture.

Charlie Rudler said looking at the yield has been "depressing"

Both farmers told the BBC that prices have not gone up for their crops for a long time, but costs to go into them have increased.

However, they are trying to be optimistic – Mr Carson said he has not been having to use the grain drier.

Mr Rudler said: "It is what it is. It's something we've got to get used to going forward."