Farmers forced to use winter forage as lack of rain takes its toll

FARMERS in Gloucestershire are already using up winter reserves as they struggle to feed cattle and grow crops due to the prolonged dry spells so far this year.

Fields that should be green grass are parched, and crops have died.

After the driest July in England since 1935, predicted rainfall levels will be insufficient to rectify the problems, with experts expecting smaller harvests.

Farmers fear they will not be able to provide enough crops to fulfil contracts and they are using their winter food reserves to feed their cattle.

The South West region of the National Farmers’ Union said: “The impact of this dry weather will have a long tail.”

A spokesman added: “We are hearing from dairy farmers who are feeding a full winter ration of forage while their cows produce lower milk yields, potato growers who are concerned that their produce will be smaller than their contract dictates and sheep farmers who are carrying extra feed out to their fields because there isn’t enough good quality grass to eat.”

“We are calling on Government to develop long-term, multi-sector, collaborative plans for managing water scarcity and flooding events that link together the management of ‘too much’ and ‘not enough’ water.”