SOARING temperatures and lack of moisture in the air are factors taking a severe toll on farms across the region.
After a scorching weekend, the UK is now seeing the fall-out of a third summer heatwave.
While some parts of the country have introduced hosepipe bans and emergency services have dealt with grass fires and wildlife alerts, another striking and immediate impact is on our farmers.
Across the UK, the heat and dry conditions have triggered the earliest harvest on record in some areas, with reports of shrivelling crops, water stress and major concerns about food security.
In North Wales, George Tomlinson from Rossett Park Farming says its the lack of rain that has resulted in the most challenges across their land.
The 1,500 acre dairy farm is a popular site with walkers and has recently submitted an application to secure an on-site farm shop.
Yet, the heat has resulted in a severe lack of grass on the grazing platform meaning an estimated 94 acres of grass has been cut to feed the cows.
That's an additional cost of approximately £420 per day to ensure the livestock are fed and bedded down in the shed, and it could be weeks before the situation improves.
George says: "Farmers can frequently lose milk when its warm, but thankfully we've avoided heat stress this time by keeping them inside.
"High temperatures can also cause cows to reabsorb their pregnancies, especially during the earlier stages. This is because the heat can affect the quality of embryos. There's also a 30 per cent reduction in conception.
"Despite us having great water pressure, there's an extra demand in the summer. Cows can drink 20 litres due to sweating most of it out."
As for the harvesting, George and the team planted a month earlier due to a consistent lack of rain at the start of the year. Crops will therefore be ready to harvest a few weeks earlier than usual.
Drought can significantly impact crop production by reducing yields and affecting the overall quality.
George says this is also the case at Rossett Park, with grain pods not receiving the desired amount of water required for them to grow and thrive.
He adds: "Within the space of a week, our crops have gone from green to brown and are now ready to harvest.
"But if we get heavy rain over the next few weeks, we won't be able to do that. It means the crop will lose quality and therefore give us less milk for our cows in the winter."
Owners of Agri-cation CIC in Bangor on Dee Cheryl and Andrew Reeves agree that farms across the UK will be facing identical challenges.
Cheryl admits, "Grass growth is very limited.
"Rotational grazing hasn't worked very well this year. We are having to feed silage in the fields."
After over a decade in the industry, the family farm rears calf through an automated feeding system which encourages a natural feed while also monitoring the cattle's overall welfare.
She adds: "The recent heatwaves have also had a significant impact on beef farming, with prolonged dry conditions leading to poor grass growth and reduced silage yields, leaving farmers with limited feed supplies.
"The extreme heat has also caused heat stress in cattle, affecting their appetite, weight gain, and overall welfare.
"These challenges are increasing production costs and raising concerns about long-term sustainability."
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