Farmers have warned of an ‘existential’ threat to Scottish agriculture as the country continues to bask in the driest Spring in over 100 years.
The unbroken sunshine that has delighted the public for weeks is fast becoming a ‘disaster’ for farmers who are struggling to grow crops in ‘bone dry’ earth.
Industry leaders warn that scorching conditions are creating serious, long-term challenges that could hit crucial Scottish industries ranging from whisky to forestry and dairy.
Andrew Connon, President of NFU Scotland, said: ‘Scotland is facing one of its driest springs in recent memory and farmers are bracing for a tough summer ahead.
‘Normally we’d expect this kind of weather in July, but we’re seeing drought-like conditions hit in April and May.
‘After a winter with barely any snow, soils are bone dry and unless we get proper, sustained rain soon, the consequences for food production could be severe.’
Scotland’s farmers are struggling due to the hot weather drying out soil
The alarm comes after Scotland recorded the driest start to the year since 1964.
From January to April the country only received 59 per cent of its long-term average rainfall, creating water scarcity across all of Scotland according to environment agency Sepa.
Dan Stroud, Operational Meteorologist at the Met Office, explained: ‘So far, Spring has been abnormally dry and very sunny.
Rainfall throughout May so far has measured just 3.3ml, which is 5 per cent of the Scottish average of 19ml that we would expect for this month.’
Farmers said crops like potatoes and vegetables are struggling to push their foliage through baked and hardened soil, while wheat sown in the Autumn is producing small, shrivelled grains.
Tim Eagle, Scottish Conservative Party spokesman on Rural Affairs, said: ‘This time of year is crucial for our crops but right now the soil is so dry, it is like trying to plant in concrete. If this carries on much longer, the effects on agriculture will be devastating.’
Campaigners add that not only are arable harvests under threat, but dry conditions now will also create food shortages for livestock and game later in the year.
Farmer and activist Jamie Blackett said: ‘A lack of rain now means the risk of going short later on for those of us with livestock.
‘We may have to buy in expensive feed over the winter or even sell cows to reduce the mouths to feed.’
Farmer Jamie Blackett said the hot weather could spell disaster for livestock farmers and those reliant on grouse shooting
He continued: ‘In the uplands a lack of moisture can mean a lack of insects to feed grouse chicks and mean that there isn’t a harvestable surplus of grouse to shoot come the 12th of August.
‘That spells disaster for moorland communities dependent on the income from shooting.’
Industry leaders stress that the looming crisis posed by the heatwave has been worsened by the government’s failure to invest in and maintain future-proof water storage systems.
The NFU’s Andrew Connon added: ‘We’ve been calling on the Scottish Government to support farmers with capital funding for water storage and efficiency – things like boreholes, lagoons and irrigation technology […] we now need action to back that up.’
A SEPA spokesperson said: ‘Active consultation is ongoing with organisations across Scotland, including NFU Scotland, Fisheries Management Scotland, Golf Scotland, Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Water to help share important information and ensure that advice and support is available.’
The Met Office said the heatwave is likely to continue until Friday, with temperatures rising to as high as 22C during the week.
