Major side effect UK heatwave is having on British dairy farmers
Officials on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) have confirmed that the UK heatwave has negatively impacted British dairy farmers, prompting a plea for the food and drink sector to begin considering heat-resistance as a long-term ‘genetic goal’.
Hot weather, previously a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence in Britain, has dramatically made itself at home this summer, with temperatures reaching as high as 37 degrees in some areas.
While some have been grappling with strict disposable barbecue laws, others have been taking a leaf out of Melissa Cookston’s book by flexing their pitmaster muscles and cooking on charcoal for the first time.
However, while revellers have been spending their hard-earned cash on iced drinks from Starbucks’ new Caramelised Banana range and Greggs matcha line-up, farmers have been suffering.
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The AHBD reported on Monday (13 July) that those rearing British dairy cows have been experiencing low milk yields this summer, with a jaw-dropping 18.5 million litres being wiped off amid the series of heatwaves.
During the first bout of hot weather, which peaked at 35.1 degrees in May, milk production fell by around 5.8 million litres, slipping to only 0.4 percent above the five-year average, as per a notice.
Prior to the heatwave, production was running between 1.6 and 2 percent above the mean.
It took until mid-June for milk volume to return to its former level, only for the heatwave at the end of June, where temperatures peaked at 37 degrees, to decrease the average once again.
The AHBD said that by early July, the seven-day rolling average production had fallen to 2.9 percent below the five-year average.
This caused an estimated additional loss of 12.7 million litres.
In its notice, the board confirmed that milk production in the UK had tipped from over to under supply in the short-term.
Milk and cream prices have risen dramatically as a result, with the former rebounding by about 10p per litre.
Bulk cream prices rose to around £1.60, up from the £1.37 that the AHDB recorded at the end of June.
The notice claimed there also may be ‘some tightening in cheese markets as reportedly some cheese makers have been selling milk on the spot market rather than making cheese’.
AHDB lead dairy analyst Susie Stannard said the current market reaction is ‘likely a temporary response’, but warned it could become a trend if hot weather continues.
“Climate change means that severe heat events are likely to become a more common feature of British summers and will become an increasingly important dynamic facing the industry,” she warned.
“Hotter temperatures as well mean more pressure on grazing so pasture management will require extra thought,” she said. “Processors may need to consider supply disruptions as a more regular feature of summer.”
The notice added that as the data period for the fall in milk yields finished on 4 July, it’s likely that we will continue to see residual effects.
“As many of the heat stress effects are cumulative, we may expect to see even more pressure on milk supplies,” Stannard added.
What is the law around working in a heatwave?
Unfortunately, according to Gov.uk, there’s no legal maximum working temperature for us Brits, so you don’t have the right to stop work because it’s simply too hot.
However, it does note that the temperature in all indoor workplaces ‘must be reasonable’ while employees are on the clock.
This is because employers have a ‘duty of care’ to protect the well-being of staff under UK employment law.
When it comes to the warmer weather, this can include:
- Ensuring the temperature is at a comfortable level
- Providing clean and fresh air
If you have any concerns about the temperature of your workplace, it's advised to speak with your employer.
Ella Scott