Farming the Seasons with Tom Youngs | Spring in North Norfolk

From spring drilling and soaring input costs to diversification projects and the realities of modern British agriculture, we join former England rugby international Tom Youngs on his family farm in North Norfolk for the first episode of Farming the Seasons.

“I love spring,” said Tom as dust billowed behind us and the hedgerows became a vibrant blur of greens through the truck windows. “It’s when everything on the farm starts to come alive again.”

There’s a lot going on. Crops are going in, those drilled in the autumn really start to kick on, and plans for summer are moving apace. “It’s a time for optimism, but it can be unpredictable too,” he adds, nodding to the sky.

For the first episode of Farming the Seasons – our new series that will span the farming calendar – we spent the day with former England rugby international Tom Youngs at his family farm in North Norfolk, exploring the realities of modern British farming and the rhythm that defines life on the land throughout the year.

We checked on some recent spring drilling and learned more about exciting farm diversification projects. We discussed the pressures and challenges that come with growing arable crops – the surging costs of inputs like fuel and fertilisers, the unpredictable weather, and the public’s perception of farming. And we learned more about what being a custodian of this parcel of East Anglia really means to Tom.

From Twickenham to the family farm

Although many know Tom Youngs through his rugby career with Leicester Tigers and England, farming has always been central to his life.

Growing up on the family farm near Aylsham, agriculture shaped much of his upbringing. The routines, the early mornings and the understanding that farming is dictated by far more than simply the hours you put in – all of it was ingrained from an early age, as we learned when we first visited Tom in early 2025.

Even during his rugby career, the connection to farming never disappeared. Returning home between fixtures and seasons offered a contrast to professional sport, but also a reminder of where he ultimately saw his future.

Now back farming full-time, as the fourth generation of his family to do so, Tom speaks openly about the satisfaction that comes with working outdoors and following the changing seasons year after year. “There’s always something different,” he explained. “No two years are ever the same.”

Spring arrives on the farm

Spring is one of the most important periods in the farming calendar. After the slower pace of winter, the workload intensifies as farmers prepare for the growing season ahead.

On arable farms across Norfolk and East Anglia, spring often means drilling crops, applying fertiliser, monitoring soil conditions and making the most of every workable day of weather.

Timing becomes everything. A spell of rain can delay field work for days, while a long stretch of dry weather can affect germination. Much of modern farming still relies on reading conditions correctly and being able to adapt, and yet so often things are very much in the hands of Mother Nature.

The unpredictability of modern farming

For many British farmers, spring can feel like one of the most demanding times of the year – physically, financially and mentally. Often, the bulk of the revenue from the previous year’s harvest has already been spent, and the new crop is months away from being sold. Meanwhile, seed, fertiliser, and fuel for spring drilling needs to be purchased, and there’s the cost of spraying and crop protection to cover, too.

Farming has always involved uncertainty, but modern agriculture faces growing pressures from every direction. “Weather is the obvious unknown,” said Tom, “but there are so many other things you can’t plan for. The price of red diesel, for example, has recently doubled because of the troubles in the Middle East. That’s a huge extra cost – tens of thousands of pounds for some farms – that can’t be passed on and that many wouldn’t have factored into calculations at the start of the year.”

Inevitably, long-term planning is increasingly difficult in an industry so dependent on outside factors. As Tom reflects in the film, farming often requires making major decisions months in advance, without ever fully knowing what conditions the season will eventually bring. New machinery that can improve efficiency in the long run, for instance, represents a substantial investment.

That balance between risk and reward is something every farmer understands. One year may bring excellent yields and favourable conditions; the next can be shaped by prolonged rain, drought or rising operational costs. Success can depend on resilience as much as anything else.

At the same time, public understanding of farming can sometimes overlook just how much responsibility sits behind the scenes – not only producing food, but also managing landscapes, habitats for wildlife and the long-term health of the countryside.

For Tom, maintaining perspective is essential. Farming teaches patience quickly, and the ability to adapt is often what separates a good season from a difficult one.

Why diversification matters in farming

Like many modern farms across the UK, diversification has become an increasingly important part of long-term sustainability.

Today, farming is rarely just about producing crops or livestock alone. Many farms have had to evolve, finding additional income streams and adapting to changing economic realities.

Whether through environmental stewardship, tourism, farm shops or alternative rural enterprises, diversification now plays a significant role in helping many family farms remain viable for future generations.

“As far as diversification goes, we have storage containers, a livery yard, some pigs, and a holiday cottage,” Tom explains. “And we’re just working on something else that is very exciting...”

‘Scrum and Bun’, which has launched since our visit, is a new food venture that Tom and cousin George have brought to life with the help of Bayfield Catering. The concept is simple: Great burgers using fresh, local ingredients, served every weekend from a field on the edge of Aylsham.

During our day’s filming, we visited the site where the burger van can now be found every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The huge rustic tables made from an oak tree that had fallen during a winter storm were ready for action. The wildflower mix Tom had sown was, he hoped, about to start showing, too.

“If we can cover our fixed costs with the diversification projects, we are less susceptible to bad farming years,” Tom explained.

Farming through the seasons

One of the clearest reminders throughout the film is just how seasonal farming remains.

Every part of the year brings its own pressures, priorities and pace. Spring may centre around preparation and planting, but summer quickly shifts towards crop management and harvest prep, before autumn drilling and winter maintenance begin the cycle once again.

For those outside agriculture, it can be easy to view farming as a constant. In reality, the rhythm of the countryside changes dramatically from one season to the next.

That changing landscape is what Farming the Seasons aims to capture. Set against the backdrop of North Norfolk, the series will offer a closer look at the realities of modern farming, while also celebrating the connection between people, land and seasonality that continues to define rural life across Britain – all told through Tom’s eyes.

Watch episode one: Spring

The first episode of Farming the Seasons with Tom Youngs is now live on the Schöffel Country YouTube channel.

Join us throughout the year as we return to the farm each season...

Watch the full episode now, and keep an eye out for the next chapter in summer.