FARMERS face a race against time to bring in the harvest crops before rain destroys their crops.

The rain that has pounded the county over the last few weeks has made it impossible for Worcestershire’s farmers to harvest their grain crops and with yet more wet weather on the horizon the future is looking bleak.

As a result of the downpours, not only is it virtually impossible for farmers to get their combine harvesters across their sodden fields but acres upon acres of wheat, barley and oats are also dangerously wet.

If the crops are harvested they would need to be dried using grain dryers which due to the recent rises in energy costs is extremely expensive.

Brian Wickens of Hambridge Farm, Martley, grows oats, wheat, barley and oilseed rape, but has only harvested a tenth of his 1,500 acres.

He said: “This time last year we had virtually harvested the lot. But this year we’re quite concerned. If the weather stays this way the crops will perish where they stand. It could end up a complete disaster.”

The wet weather comes as yet another blow to Worcestershire’s farmers, who have had to deal with last year’s flooding and the outbreaks of bluetongue and the foot and mouth.

Jim Meadows, chairman of the West Midlands Arable Crops board, warned: “The situation is not irretrievable but it’s getting that way. Even last year after the flooding we had got the crops in by now.”

He also said that more wet weather would undoubtedly lead to more wheat and grains being imported, causing even more price rises. Not only that, but the wet conditions could lead to shortages in other crops such as peas and beans, and more worryingly, could damage the soil and affect future harvests.

The recent terrible weather has led to the Met Office dubbing this month ‘awful August’, and more rain is forecast for the coming days.

Although Saturday is expected to be fair, rain is forecast overnight with sunshine and sharp showers predicted for Sunday.

Monday is expected to be cloudy with more rain and a risk of storms in some places.