Farming Editor
Swelteringly hot, dry weather, followed by downpours drenching the countryside, have led to a triple whammy of threats to Westcountry farmers.
Combined with the almost certain probability of cuts in subsidy support through Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, and the ever-increasing problem of bovine tuberculosis and other animal diseases, climate change is part of a "three-legged stool" of challenges to producers in the South West.
Farmers' leader Peter Kendall, President of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), puts climate change as the most significant challenge to his members' ability to meet the country's growing demand for ever more food.
Last year the main grain harvest was severely affected by the spring drought followed by almost incessant summer rain. In contrast this year's harvest is late, and though early indications are good, with encouraging returns reported on winter-sown barley, the wheat harvest next month could be severely affected if heavy rainstorms persist.
Last year was the second wettest year on record in England, and the dullest summer since the 1980s. Meanwhile, the opening months of this year saw the added challenge of cold temperatures, with the Met Office recording the chilliest March since 1962.
Extreme weather was the biggest uncertainty faced by farmers, said Mr Kendall. "It completely stuffs farming. Just look what happened last year," he said. "Farming is risky enough as it is."