UK drought slashes wheat yields by half and drives farmers into £100,000 losses

The hottest summer on record left the United Kingdom's West Country facing its worst wheat harvest in history, with yields on farms like Charles Day's in Gloucestershire reduced by roughly 50% and national cereal output down about 11% according to the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board. Dairy operations saw only a modest 4.5% drop in milk but faced soaring costs as they opened winter silage stores and installed cooling infrastructure, costing families such as Sarah Godwin's over £100,000.

Climate scientist Mike Kendon warned that such extreme weather is becoming the new norm. The government responded with a rapid grant scheme for irrigation and resilient farming, yet the online application filled within hours, prompting criticism from NFU representatives like Tom Collins. Farmers are also exploring private solutions, such as expanding on-farm lakes for irrigation, but face planning hurdles and limited assistance. The combined pressure of reduced yields, rising input costs, and scarce support threatens the viability of many UK farms.