There is always problems in the UK with our weather, it's either, especially in 'summer time', so dry, hot and parched, or more likely rain, rain and more rain and we get through it.
This past 18 months have been very bad for our soil and crops. The severe winter of 2017/18 and then the long very dry summer, plus a relatively dry winter last year has not given the ground chance to recover. Its been unusually dry for 18 months continuously.
This has compacted the soil, making it hard for the rain to penetrate when it does rain, and the deluges run off the ground, causing flooding, and the ground under the first cm or so remains dry and parched. Plus the hotter summers make much of the rain evaporate before it has chance to sink in.
This past 18 months has not been usual, we cant get round it and carry on, things have changed. I am surrounded by corn right now, on the arable land. I can see the patches where the rain hasnt penetrated, and the soil is not fertile. The local farmers, who have farmed here for generations, also say this is not part of the normal ebb and flow of climate and weather here.