As autumn begins, many farmers are still feeling the effects of prolonged dry weather and drought despite recent rainfall. The Environment Agency remains committed to supporting the farming community - not only in managing drought impacts, but also in preparing for winter challenges such as flooding, slurry storage and reservoir refilling.
Ploughed field with tree (credit: Environment Agency) How has drought affected farmers?This year’s dry conditions led to early harvests, reduced yields, and poorer quality in some crops. Livestock farmers have had to dip into winter feed supplies early, with some facing difficult decisions around feed costs and herd management. The Addington Fund, including Forage Aid, has launched an emergency appeal to support those most affected.
The NFU continue to hear from farmers concerned about pasture quality, rising feed costs and calf development.
There have been some upsides - dry spring conditions supported strong pollination and early harvests in some crop types - but the overall picture remains challenging.
What should farmers do to prepare for winter?With the irrigation season ending and soils beginning to re-wet, now is the time to take stock and prepare.
How to manage reservoir refilling after drought Check your abstraction licence for start dates and conditions. Be aware of Hands-Off Flow (HOF) thresholds - if river levels are below these, you’ll receive a stop notice and must wait for a resumption notice before abstracting. Use the Hydrology Data Explorer and monthly Water Situation Reports to monitor local river flows. Essential reservoir maintenance tasks Inspect liners for cracks or wear that could cause leaks during refill. Check for sinkholes or subsidence in exposed beds. Clear sediment to improve capacity and water quality. Assess vegetation cover and erosion risk, especially on spillways and dam crests. Winter slurry storage preparation Inspect and prepare slurry infrastructure to prevent environmental harm during wetter months. Address any cracks, test pumps and pipelines, and ensure storage capacity is adequate. For further advice see Slurry storage: sort it in the summer, be winter ready – Creating a better place . Flood risk management for farms Stay informed about local flood risk and mitigation support through the Environment Agency’s flood risk management teams. Sign up to get flood warnings if your home or business is at risk of flooding: Sign up for flood warnings - GOV.UK. Find out more about how to protect your home, belongings and loved ones, visit What to do before or during a flood - GOV.UK. Review our Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) on abstracting floodwater outside of licence conditions during flood events. How can farmers build long-term climate resilience?Even with the wetter weather, now is a good time to consider how your farm can become more resilient to future droughts and climate variability:
Review cropping plans and varieties using tools like D-Risk to assess local drought and abstraction risks. Plan long-term investments in reservoirs or backup storage for livestock. Review your abstraction licence to ensure it meets your future needs. Explore future funding opportunities to support productivity and resilience. Join or form a Water Abstractor Group to coordinate water use. Collaborate with neighbours to develop Local Resource Options. Consider trading water with other licence holders to improve access to water supplies. Further guidance can be found on gov.uk.By making these changes, you can make yourselves and your farm more resilient to dry weather and the longer-term effects of climate change. Farming Advice Newsletters provide useful abstraction reminders and the Farming Advisory Service also publish our irrigation prospects in the spring.
Hemlock poisoningHemlock poisoning has been reported in livestock in Wales this summer. Dry weather and exposed ditches increase the risk of animals foraging toxic plants like Hemlock.
Farmers should look out for:
purple blotches on stems hairless stems and white lacy flowers a nasty, mousy smell.Hemlock is deadly to animals and humans when ingested. Roots and seeds are especially toxic. Farmers should stay alert. If removing Hemlock, wear protective gear and dispose of plants safely. Read more about Hemlock here.
Where can farmers get support and advice?We’re working closely with partners across flood risk management and agricultural support to ensure farmers have the guidance they need.
For help, questions, or feedback, please contact your local Environment Agency office or explore our online resources, including the Water Hub.
seen at 10:53, 2 October in Creating a better place.