Britain's milk production fell sharply in June as extreme heat stressed dairy cows and squeezed yields, with the latest figures from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) pointing to mounting pressure on the sector from lower milk prices and rising costs.
AHDB estimates that average daily milk deliveries in June fell 3.1 per cent year on year to 35.51 million litres, bringing total monthly deliveries to 1.065 billion litres – 34 million litres less than in June 2025. Milk supplies for the first three months of the 2026/27 milk year (April to June) are now running 1.7 per cent below the same period last year.
The decline accelerated through the month, with deliveries starting close to 2025 levels before falling sharply during the second half of June as exceptionally hot weather affected dairy herds.
According to AHDB, heat stress significantly reduced milk yields, while some farmers may also have implemented volume management measures ahead of the end of the month. In the latest available week, ending 4 July, milk deliveries were down 4.8 per cent compared with a year earlier and fell below the five-year average.
AHDB now forecasts that GB milk production will decline by 0.9 per cent over the full 2026/27 season.
The levy body said several structural factors are contributing to the downward trend, including a shrinking milking herd, continued volume management schemes, a decline in the number of dairy producers, rising input costs and a worsening milk-to-feed price ratio.
The recent spell of exceptionally warm weather has added further pressure, with the acceleration in June's production decline closely linked to heat stress in cows.
While favourable early summer conditions helped farmers rebuild forage stocks after previous shortages, AHDB warned that the recent hot and dry weather is likely to slow grass growth.
It added that the availability of forage and straw will be critical in the coming months as producers continue to face squeezed margins from elevated input costs.
AHDB said it will continue to monitor production levels and growing conditions throughout the summer.