Farmers down 240 million litres of milk after heat

Extreme heat this summer has led to dairy farmers delivering 240 million fewer litres of milk than expected, researchers have said.

Farmers delivered four fewer days of milk supply than would be expected between May and August, according to the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).

With the heat leading to poor grazing conditions, stunted harvests and heat strain on livestock in England and Wales, many farmers have started giving winter feed to cattle, including Debbie Wilkins, a dairy and beef farmer in Gloucestershire.

"The costs pile up when you have to bring the cows indoors and the loss of milk production compounds the issue," she said.

Wilkins, who farms in Prior's Norton, said it had been a "difficult" summer.

In total, the ECIU said dairy farmers lost milk valued at more than £83m - enough milk to fill more than one billion school milk cartons.

It follows the UK's hottest summer on record in 2026, with five intense heatwaves and drought declarations.

But while farmers delivered significantly less than expected over the summer, the ECIU said UK milk production could still hit near record levels in 2026.