Britain's prolonged dry weather is harming dairy farms, with experts warning that heat-stressed cows are producing significantly less milk. Milk production on some farms has fallen by up to 20%, according to Professor Nicola Cannon of the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester.
Heat stress and falling yields
Professor Cannon said cows struggle in extreme heat. “Cows feel stressed just as humans feel stressed when it's really hot, and as a response to that, their milk productivity goes down,” she explained. The recent run of heatwaves has caused the drop, with some areas seeing 38–39 days without rainfall.
Scorched pastures and early feed use
The lack of rain is also hindering grass growth. Parched soils cannot rebound after cutting for hay and silage, forcing farmers to use winter feed earlier than planned. Abby Cook, a shepherdess from the Cotswolds, said grazing land has vanished faster than normal. “Where we had grass, it's all burnt off really quickly, so it's making it a lot more challenging because our grass is disappearing really, really fast,” she said.
Widespread impact and farmer response
The drought has affected more than half of England, putting pressure on the industry through lower milk yields, poor grass growth, and rising costs. Some dairy farmers have installed large fans and cooling systems to keep cows comfortable. While a few growers report benefits for crops like potatoes, dairy farmers are hoping for sustained rainfall to relieve pressure on livestock and grazing land before conditions worsen.
