How farmers struggle to bring Xmas dinner to our tables after the summer heatwave

FARMERS had to battle hard to get Christmas food ready this year – due to the heatwave’s effect on crops and livestock, say experts.

The baking summer caused problems for staple goods and festive favourites alike – and climate change predictions suggest Christmas dinner as we know it will be even tougher to put together in future.

Dr Nicola Cannon, principal lecturer in agronomy at the Royal Agricultural University in Gloucestershire, said: “If you sit down to a Christmas lunch, please think about the complex issues farmers deal with to bring this special meal to your table.

“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) now predict 1.5C BY ROD MINCHIN reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk temperature rises above pre-industrial levels by 2050.

“So, the challenges of food production in 2018 are almost certainly going to be experienced more frequently.”

But do not worry about Christmas pudding, as many of the ingredients – mixed dried fruit, nuts and rum – are imported so it looks as if this festive favourite has escaped the extreme UK weather.

Here we reveal how the extreme weather of 2018 affected Christmas dinner, according to the university. STUFFING is made from a breadcrumb base. The price of a loaf of bread has risen since harvest, jumping from 97p for a 800g loaf to £1.05. This was fuelled by wheat yields being hit by the dry weather and by global supply issues. TURKEY AND PIGS IN BLANKETS Turkeys are OK at up to 26C but any hotter and they lose their appetites. Extra ventilation helps. Pigs also needed help cooling down this year. CARROTS grow best at temperatures of 15C to 18C but they struggle in temperatures above 25C, wilt and stop growing. The cold start to the year and the prolonged heatwave probably led to a cut in yields of 30 per cent. BRUSSELS SPROUTS The exceptionally hot May led to dry seedbeds and undeveloped root systems, stressing young plants and causing many to die off. BRANDY BUTTER CUSTARD AND ICE CREAM Christmas pud toppings can’t be made without milk. Farmers are facing cattle feed shortages after a poor growing season, with low silage stocks and fodder prices at a record high.