Dry weather information

16 August 2022

Cracked soil

Our policy team have pulled together information and advice on a number of areas affected by the ongoing dry weather conditions.

We are working on behalf of farmers and growers to mitigate the challenges posed by the prolonged period of dry weather.

On this page you'll find information on:

By following these links, you'll find other relevant information on NFU Cymru:

Impacts of the continued dry weather

As a result of the dry weather observed across Wales in recent months, many farmers are already experiencing a range of effects.

  • Grass growth

On-farm impacts include reduced rates of grass growth needed for grazing livestock and also second and third crop silage, therefore impacting stocks of fodder for forthcoming winter.  This is being compounded by the fact that some farmers are having to feed their winter fodder now or graze what would have been their second or third crop.

The lack of grass also means that some farmers are having to buy in supplementary feed to, for example, creep feed lambs for finishing which is adding costs.  Farmers are also making the decision to reduce stocking levels.

  • Water supply

We are receiving reports that spring-fed water supplies, streams and boreholes are becoming unreliable and we have also had reports of lower pressure from mains supply in certain areas, particularly where farms are adjacent to other users such as caravan parks etc.

  • Irrigation ponds/reservoirs

Some farmers are reporting that these are now emptying with impacts on growers who are unable to irrigate their crops with the result that some crops are dying off early.  Lower than average yields could be expected for some crops as a result.

  • Fire risk

There is also a risk of wildfire, barn fires and field fires where mechanical operations such as combining or baling is taking place in tinder dry conditions.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have guidance on Farm Fire Safety on their website.

NRW, Welsh Government and AHDB information and resources

There is a lot of useful information on the AHDB website.

On the pages below you'll find cross-sector analysis of the potential market impact of this weather as well as advice on planning for and coping with weather events of all kinds.

The latest grass growth and quality figures can be found on AHDB's interactive Forage for Knowledge dashboard, along with the latest updates and resources.

You can also sign up to receive weekly Forage for Knowledge newsletters at the AHDB's Keeping in touch web page.

Welsh Government advice for farmers in dry weather.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) also have advice for farmers in periods of dry weather.

Drought status for parts of Wales

Following the extended period of dry weather, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has confirmed that the trigger thresholds have been met to move South West Wales into drought status from Friday 19 August and South East Wales with part of Mid Wales into drought status on Thursday 25 August.

NRW’s decision to move from prolonged dry weather status to drought for these areas was agreed and shared with a meeting of the Welsh Government’s Drought Liaison Group and after consideration of the exacerbated pressures the high temperatures and lack of significant rainfall have had on the environment in this area.

The rest of Wales remains in prolonged dry weather status but concerns still remain. While essential supplies of water remain safe, the public and businesses in drought affected areas should be very mindful of the pressures on water resources and should use water wisely.  NRW continues to closely monitor the situation across Wales, working with partners and will take action as required. 

The areas affected are:

South West Wales

  • North Ceredigion (Rheidol, Aeron, Ystwyth)
  • Teifi
  • Pembrokeshire (Eastern and Western Cleddau)
  • Carmarthen (Tywi and Taf)
  • Swansea and Llanelli (Tawe and Loughor)
  • Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend (Neath, Afan, Ogmore)

South East and Mid Wales

  • Upper Severn
  • Wye
  • Usk
  • Valleys (Taff, Ebbw, Rhymney, Ely)
  • Vale of Glamorgan (Thaw)

Find out more about the drought status and what it means for the affected areas.

Our key asks in the short term

  • We ask Welsh Government to ensure prompt payment of BPS in 2022 to alleviate cash flow and support farmers to play their part in feeding the nation during and after the crisis.
  • We ask Welsh Government to consider derogations to a range of Glastir options that may require flexibility as a result of ongoing dry weather.
  • We ask that Welsh Government facilitate investment in measures that improve water resources and reduce vulnerability by providing grants for boreholes, reservoirs and other water resource related investments.

Welsh farming's longer term requirements

Plan

  • Farmers are observing an increasing risk of consecutive extreme weather events with less time for farm businesses to recover. Future agricultural policy should include volatility/stability measures including those designed to help farmers cope with the extremes in weather and climatic events
  • Action is required to ensure there is a need for a more equitable share of climate risk across the supply chain
  • Farmers, now and in the future, should have a fair share of available water to grow our food, with improved security of supply at times of water scarcity

Protect

  • Develop policy measures to support farmers in managing the impacts and market-related volatility, including droughts and water scarcity
  • Deliver maximum and timely flexibility in the application of water abstraction rules
  • Make prompt payments and introduce rapid derogations to rules governing  agri-environment schemes
  • Remove blockages in the planning and licensing regulations that impede the construction of more on-farm water storage reservoirs

Pay

  • Introduce incentives through the tax systems to encourage investment in farm reservoirs and schemes to encourage water efficiency measures delivering more crop per drop
  • Invest in improved monitoring and measuring of abstraction to make best use of available water
  • Continue investment in the UK’s weather forecasting capability, especially in the medium-term forecasts and those aligned to real-time water availability monitoring, to support drought planning

Don't miss this important dry weather content

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