How did the 2025 drought impact animal health?

Drought and its impact on grazing, silage making and parasite patterns, was one of the key challenges of 2025 in terms of animal health – and the changing climate could also be responsible for a rise in vector-borne diseases. 

Silage shortages 

Lack of winter grazing forced farmers to dip into their winter feed supplies, or even cull stock, prompting the Addington Fund to launch an emergency appeal. Forage Analysis Assurance (FAA) Group member, David Wilde, of Massey Feeds, noted that forage availability has been very mixed across the country.

“Generally, north of Preston has been fine as rainfall was pretty normal through the summer; the South West was not too bad, but the central belt suffered the most, with silage shortages very common.” He said feed advisors were attempting to calculate approximate forage stocks to ensure herds can last through the winter with a bit to spare if we have another wet or dry spring. 

Quality has also been a mixed bag. “In general, drier than in previous years, with higher NDF levels, as well as ADF. This is telling us that the grass was trying to produce a seed head regardless of the volume of the crop, so proportionately higher fibre in crops. As the ADF is also higher, NDF digestibility reduces. Proteins and energy, VFA and lactic are all over the place but on average, fairly average,” he added. 

Julie Isaac, AB Vista lab technician and farmer based in South Wales, noted that buying in extra feed can place considerable strain on farm budgets, potentially affecting other essential areas of management and investment. “Given the increasing unpredictability of weather conditions, it is difficult to anticipate the longer-term impact this may have on forage availability.”

The National Drought Group recently warned that England must prepare for the possibility of an ongoing drought in 2026, with concerns about the country’s water resources. An expert group meeting at the end of October heard that average reservoir storage was at 63.3%, compared to the average of 76% for the time of year.

Group chair Helen Wakeham said: “We need a lot more rain this winter to fill up our rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater. Even if it is wet outside, I urge people to use water as efficiently as possible to protect the environment and public water supplies.”

Farmers were urged to check their licences and speak to the EA if they are likely to need flexibility. They have also been asked to look to increase reservoir storage and work with their neighbours to share water, where possible.   

In light of this, David advised: “Plan ahead! Work out what forage stocks are needed for the rest of the season ahead and feed accordingly. What about next winter? It may be worth planning for a long and harsh winter with lower crop yields – what would this look like on your farm?”

Julie said sheep and cattle farmers can prepare by increasing forage reserves, adjusting stocking levels where necessary, and using drought tolerant forage options to help minimise the impact of future dry periods.

Bluetongue

Bluetongue virus (BTV) continued to see rising cases across Great Britain – exceeding 212 since July 2025 (as of 26th November 2025). Christopher Sanders, from The Pirbright Institute, commented: “Diseases like bluetongue are influenced by climate change, and as temperatures rise, we’re likely to see an increase in both the frequency and range of different diseases affecting UK livestock.”

BTV is mainly spread by Culicoides biting midges, and more rarely, can be transmitted through semen of infected bulls or rams and transplacentally. Where changing seasonal temperatures produce optimal environmental conditions for midges and BTV, spread of the virus is more likely, he explains.

Similar shifts may be seen in other vector-borne diseases like Schmallenberg virus, tick-borne diseases, and flystrike. Farmers will need proactive management to prevent BTV, as cases continue to rise,” he added.

Dr Mandy Nevel, head of animal health and welfare at AHDB, said vaccination remains the best way of preventing BTV. “However, the vaccination should fit in with individual farm situations and risks, and therefore discussion of whether to vaccinate, and if so when, should be planned.” 

Three vaccines are available for BTV-3 and in England, currently 6–10% of breeding stock have been reported as vaccinated.

Parasite patterns are also reacting to the increasingly unpredictable weather, so keeping an eye on parasite forecasts and carrying out faecal worm egg counts before and after treatment to ensure efficacy and timing, are more important than ever.

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