Livestock farmers face 20% drop in forage production
© Tim Scrivener Britain’s livestock farmers face a second consecutive winter of tight forage supplies after drought cut grass growth sharply during July, according to new analysis.
Figures from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) show grass production ran 43% below the five-year average during the month, despite a strong start to the season.
AHDB data showed pasture growth remained close to average through spring and early summer, reaching 97% of the recent average by the end of June and outperforming the 2025 drought year.
See also: Drought could cost arable farmers £390m in lost revenue
However, conditions deteriorated rapidly as rainfall disappeared.
Weekly grass growth dropped from 94% of average in the week ending 3 July to 63% just seven days later, while less than 1mm of rain fell anywhere in England during the week ending 21 July.
By the end of the month, season-to-date growth had slipped to 90% of average, with soil moisture deficits reaching record levels for the time of year across much of England.
Exacerbating pressure
The ECIU estimates the season will finish about 20% below average, leaving a forage deficit of about 2,200kg dry matter/ha – equivalent to about four months’ feed for one dairy cow from every hectare of grassland.
ECIU senior analyst Tom Cantillon said: “Grass is the cheapest feed British livestock farmers have, and this summer it has fallen to half its normal rate.
“Farmers went into this summer carrying the costs of last year’s drought, and this will exacerbate the pressures they face.”
He warned the sector was facing “a structural squeeze on the foundation of grass-fed farming”, adding that hotter, drier summers matched climate projections and would increasingly challenge farming systems dependent on reliable rainfall.
Financial impact
Previous droughts have highlighted the financial impact on livestock businesses.
Research following the 2018 drought found many farmers were still experiencing forage shortages a year later, forcing some to buy in fodder or reduce livestock numbers.
A Scottish government assessment estimated an additional £8,000 in costs for a typical 110-cow upland suckler herd, with Scotland’s livestock sector facing about £5m in extra costs for every additional week stock remained housed.