Charles Hesketh of NFU discusses east's farming challenges

For many the harvest period has been a soggy, frustrating and expensive affair, with the stop-start rain and drying costs putting added pressure on our farmers’ finances.

We can’t control the weather but concerns remain over a range of issues the NFU is working to influence.

These include fairness in the supply chain, the cost of energy and inputs, rural crime, access to water for our fruit and veg growers, labour shortages and the new farm support schemes that are failing to gather interest and enthusiasm.

Despite all the challenges, Norfolk farmers continue to be resilient and innovative.

They are producing some of the highest-quality, highest-yielding and environmentally conscious food of anywhere in the world.

New technology is in high demand and farmers are looking to build resilience into their businesses.

In fact, the first round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund was so oversubscribed that the funds had to be nearly tripled, with direct drill suppliers struggling to keep up with demand.

The latest round of slurry infrastructure grants received over 3,000 applications so the funding pot was nearly doubled there.

The NFU is having as good a relationship with government as we have had for a long time.

The cynic in me says we are starting to head towards election period and the polls don’t looks too favourable.

But doors are starting to open, and about time too. From our own farm confidence survey earlier this year we know imports undercutting domestic production, input price inflation and lack of clear government strategy are the biggest factors stifling investment.

New income streams are being looked at more and more, particularly energy production and diversification into non farming activities, as farmers look to reduce business risk.

For most farmers, though, they see themselves first and foremost as food producers and their attention will be turning to how to navigate feeding the nation in 2024.