Weather
For anyone involved in agriculture, adapting to the unexpected changes of the weather is a constant challenge. Use this weather page to stay up-to-date with the latest advice on planning for and coping with weather events of all kinds.
12 August 2020
Extreme weather can quickly affect soil conditions and crops. During periods of drought or prolonged rainfall famers and growers often ask AHDB how they should be managing their soils.
7 August 2020
Livestock farmers are encouraged to forward buy or secure their straw requirement, or look at alternative bedding options for this coming winter, sooner rather than later.
26 June 2020
Planning ahead to secure any straw requirements or to seek alternative good-quality bedding options for the winter months is crucial.
19 June 2020
Currently, across most of the UK, soil moisture deficits are severe, with over 75 mm of rain needed to return the soil back to field capacity.
19 June 2020
Successful buffer feeding not only helps slow down the rotation and conserve grass for grazing, it can also be cost-effective if you reduce waste, maintain milk yields and generate payback. While feeding in the paddock is a cheaper option, it risks encouraging local wildlife into the paddock, which isn’t good for TB management.
16 June 2020
In response to the continued dry weather through May, the EU’s Crop Monitoring (MARS) service has further downgraded its forecasts for UK crop yields, including spring barley.
12 June 2020
Brian Barker whats to see how far he can reduce inputs in wheat
12 June 2020
We take a look at Chris and Sarah Berry’s longer-term contingency plan to increase their resilience to dry weather.
5 June 2020
Forward planning is critical for Chris and Sarah Berry from Exeter who are aiming to increase output and reduce costs. After recently taking on full-time management of Higher Thornton Farm in Devon, Chris is aiming to improve their resilience to dry weather through diverse swards and grazing management
29 May 2020
Top tips for managing beef and sheep grazing during dry weather
28 May 2020
The continued lack of significant rainfall in the UK has raised concerns for the quality of the quality of the planted crop.
15 May 2020
Strategic Farms across England give us a snapshot of how the 2020 grazing season is going for them so far.
22 May 2020
An article looking at how you can manage prolonged dry conditions on - farm.
22 May 2020
An article looking at signs of Pica in cows.
22 May 2020
In the latest ADAS Crop Condition report, 26% of winter wheat is rated ‘very poor’ or ‘poor’, this is a considerably large increase from last year when it was 5%.
21 May 2020
The closure of the food service industry for almost two months now has reduced demand for meat and grain products. The impact of coronavirus on meat and dairy production will likely translate to a fall in demand for feed grains.
21 May 2020
Useful advice to help livestock farmers, deal with, or plan for, water supply disruption.
8 November 2019
October has brought wide-spread rainfall causing problems for maincrop lifting for much of the country. Although there has been problems with off-field supply, demand has remained fairly steady for free-buy material.
21 November 2019
Early figures suggest a production level of around 5.1 million tonnes.
5 February 2020
Nutrient management plans need to account for the loss of nitrate from sodden soils and crop condition
Advice and resources for farmers and growers
Warm weather case studies
More weather resources
Guidance on reducing the risk of mycotoxin exposure to pigs
Mycotoxins are chemical compounds produced naturally by moulds which can cause toxicity in livestock. Mycotoxins can result in reduced yields, product rejection and lower animal productivity and health. This document presents the risk factors and management strategies to minimise the risk of mycotoxins in home-grown feedstuffs
Find out what resources available on potato irrigation, including latest research project results.
If grass growth is not meeting animal demand, it’s important to take action. Read how to build up your grass covers in this section.
In warm or bright conditions, when there is heat and light intensity, calves are at risk of heat stress. During these periods, energy is used to lose heat from the body by sweating and increasing respiratory rate.
With most of the country recently experiencing dry and warm conditions, it’s important to consider the affect heat can have on livestock. We’ve pulled together our top tips for cattle and sheep to prevent heat stress.
How to keep your water supply resilient during extreme weather
Grass is an important crop and grazed grass is the cheapest feed on farm, yet it rarely earns the respect it deserves as a potentially high-quality, natural ruminant feed. This manual will help producers develop new, more efficient grazing strategies to improve returns for their business
Useful advice to help livestock farmers, deal with, or plan for, water supply disruption.
This guide will take you through the process of preparing a contingency plan, for example, if you are placed in a restriction zone. It also contains a 'key contacts' template for you to fill in and print.
14 November 2019
The conserved forage requirements and stocks calculator can be used to calculate feed demand by entering livestock numbers and available feed supply.
The latest research and advice on grass, forage and soil management to help improve grassland productivity on livestock farms
25 September 2020
Time your cereals insecticide sprays for aphid/BYDV control with greater accuracy
Podcasts
Reaping the rewards – weather or not
John Bates speaks to Dr Toby Willison, Executive Director of Operations at the Environment Agency and Dr Nicola Dunn Resource Management Scientist at AHDB about the impact of flooding and how farmers can use this to their benefit.
Find out more information on the ELMS (Environmental Land Management Scheme)
Drought - how to manage the continued dry weather
Leah Shanks, our Beef & Lamb Knowledge Exchange manager, chats to colleagues and farmers about how the drought could affect farming this season.
Find out how you can manage your livestock in the heat and what resources are available.
Visit the Forage for Knowledge page for more on grass growth
Previous podcasts
We have a range of podcasts with farmers and experts discussing past warm weather challenges. Tune in to hear more about managing heat stress in pigs, weather-savvy farming (April 2019) and revisit the challenges of drought for dairy (Sep 2018).
Dry weather videos
Related information
Environment Agency Initial prospects for irrigation - forecast for 2020
Water situation: national monthly reports for England 2019
Hydrological Outlook
Defra guidance on preventing agricultural pollution
Environment Agency: Flood recovery advice
Events near you
Join one of our events for best practice, expert advice and to expand your farming network.
Click the link below to find weather related topics and other issues being discussed near you.
Browse our Events listings
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