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Countryfile's Adam Henson says 'it's pretty scary' as he shares difficulties at Cotswolds farm

Countryfile presenter Adam Henson opened up about the difficulties facing farmers as they tackle scorching temperatures and minimal rainfall - one aspect in particular is "pretty scary"

[Adam Henson]

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Adam Henson opened up on the difficulties facing farmers (Image: BBC)

It has been a punishing summer for farmers up and down the country - and Adam Henson is no different.

The Countryfile star co-owns and manages the Cotswold Farm Park near Guiting Power in Gloucestershire. As well as welcoming visitors from far and wide, it also operates as a genuine, working farm.

In a recent video uploaded on the Cotswold Farm Park YouTube channel, the BBC star outlined just how dire the harvest has been for the farm - while he also detailed another concern that has been worrying farmers in the area.

Wildfires have been popping up in many parts of the UK, including the Cotswolds. Although his farm has no far avoided them, the TV presenter admits "it's pretty scary".

He said: "Goodness me, look at the dust. It shows how dry it is. It's quite a fire risk as well. We have to be quite careful with overheating engines and any sparks coming off anything.

"Thankfully so far on this farm in particular, we've been OK. But I know others in the region have had some fires, which is pretty scary when it's hot."

[Adam Henson ]

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Adam admitted 'it's pretty scary'(Image: BBC)

Much of central and southern England, including the Cotswolds, has not seen significant rainfall for between five and seven weeks.

That, coupled with regular temperatures above 30C and even higher, has provided the perfect conditions for wildfires to break out.

Adam took YouTube viewers for a tour of the farm to show them just how hard the harvest has been thanks to the weather.

He said: "It's been absolutely bone dry for over a month. And our lambs here are going to need to be fed hard food and we're going to have to get some silage because you can see the grass has just turned brown.

"There's nothing much for them to eat. We've got lots of livestock on the farm. Many of you will come to the Cotswold Farm Park to see our collection of rare farm animals, but we've also got a large arable concern where we're growing crops."

[Adam Henson ]

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Adam has many different animals at the Cotswold Farm Park (Image: Channel 5)

Adam continued: "The weather is absolutely baking hot as it is for many people across the UK. And we've started our harvest probably 2 or 3 weeks earlier than normal. Last year was early because of the drought.

"This year seems to be even earlier. We usually wouldn't start the wheat until August and unfortunately because of all the hot weather and us being on quite thin stony soil, the yields aren't very good."

Cotswold Farm Park was founded by Adam's father Joe Henson, who presented TV shows such as the BBC's Animal Magic, in 1971.

Adam took over running it in 1999 and it features over 50 flocks and herds of rare-breed farm animals, indoor and outdoor play areas, a restaurant and seasonal events.

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