Guernsey milk yields fall because of the extreme heat

The prized Guernsey cows are not eating as usual in the June heatwave, meaning they're producing less milk.

Michael Bray farms off the Fauxquets Valley and says this week's temperatures have been harsh on cattle:

"I'm making sure all our cows have water and shade and are out of the heat.

"They're not really looking to eat at the moment, and when that happens we generally see a reduction in milk output because they don't want to eat.

"They suffer heat stress in this weather and a lot of farms will be keeping their cows indoors because it's actually cooler inside and we can maintain a better environment in the shed than we can outside with fans and water sprinkler as it's easier to monitor their body temperatures and maintain the environment they're in."

He says milk yields will be lower but there will not be any noticeable effect on Dairy output as it is a short term heatwave.

He says despite the temperatures, farmers are keeping busy:

"I think everbody's in the same boat, we're running out of grass and we're flat out making hay as it's perfect weather for making hay, but not good for growing grass or crops.

"We're a bit stressed and it's taking its toll."

He says the land is suffering in this heat and that means more cost:

"The grass the cows were eating has turned to dust so we've got nothing really that has good food value in front of them."

"We're having to increase the amount of concentrated feed we bring in from the UK to try to offset the energy levels in the grass and that's an added cost."

He says farmers in Guernsey will have to adapt to a changing climate.

"We'll need to make sure crops are in the ground earlier and established before we get the dry, hot, weather so at least the crops have got some protection.

"We need to look at other countries and look at what they're growing and whether we can learn from other places.

"The extremes are what are really hurting us. We get a deluge of rain, everything turns to mud and then the next day the 'tap' turns off and everything goes to concrete."

The June heatwave is expected to last until late on Thursday (25 June), after four days of exceptional temperatures, when a thundery breakdown will lower temperatures by around 10°C.

Guernsey's June temperature record falls two days in a row

The Bailiwick's June heat record was smashed by three degrees on Tuesday, when it reached 33.8°C, just half a degree below Guernsey's all-time record temperature of 34.3°C.

That could still be surpassed, as Jersey Met is forecasting it could potentially reach 36°C today.