The ECIU says UK dairy farmers delivered 240 million fewer litres than expected from May to August after extreme heat left grazing conditions poor; the shortfall equalled four days’ supply and the lost milk was valued at more than £83m.
Across England and Wales, heat also stunted harvests and strained livestock. Some farmers had begun using winter feed early; Gloucestershire dairy and beef farmer Debbie Wilkins said bringing cows indoors adds costs and compounds the loss of milk production.
Despite the summer losses, the ECIU said UK milk production could still hit near-record levels in 2026 because farmers had built up a cushion earlier in the year. It said consolidation, economies of scale and mechanisation had increased output even as herd size fell. ECIU analyst Tom Cantillon said farmers needed help with climate-resilience measures such as shade, trees and water.
