Heatwave hits Northern Ireland - but UUP calls for DAERA to help struggling dairy herds
While many have been lapping up the extended sunshine across NI, there have been calls for the Department of Agriculture to prepare to help dairy farmers whose herds are struggling with the heat.
The warning comes as it was revealed that the UK has had as many days of 30C or over in 2026 as in the infamous year of 1976, as the country experiences its third heatwave of the summer.
UK temperatures on Monday peaked at 30.1C in Hurn in Dorset, making it the ninth day in a row when 30C has been exceeded somewhere in the country. June’s heatwave saw UK temperatures peak above 30C seven days in a row.
Yesterday in Northern Ireland the mercury hit 27.3C in Castlederg, in a second week of unusually hot weather.
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA warned that while the prolonged spell of hot weather will be welcomed by many across Northern Ireland, it is adding to the mounting and relentless pressures facing local farmers and the wider agri-food sector.
Mr Butler said: “Like everyone else, I have enjoyed the sunshine, and I know this spell of good weather has been a real boost for families, tourism and hospitality right across Northern Ireland. But we must not lose sight of what it means for the people who produce our food.
“In recent days and weeks, I have been out and about speaking with a number of dairy farmers, and the message from every one of them was the same. The heat is hitting their herds, yields are down, grass growth is slowing, and costs keep climbing. They point to mounting and relentless pressures on an industry that was already stretched.”
He added: “Agri-food is the backbone of the Northern Ireland economy, and our farmers are world class at adapting to whatever is thrown at them.
“But they cannot do it alone. I am calling on the minister and Daera to engage closely with the industry now and to stand ready with practical support if these conditions persist through the summer.”
Met Office press officer Georgie Myers told the News Letter that while NI is enjoying a great spell of hot weather, only Castlederg is officially enjoying a heatwave in the province.
“Only Castlederg is currently in an official heatwave, with three consecutive days above 25 degrees Celsius,” she said.
Her latest reading for Castlederg yesterday was a scorching 27.3C.
The same town also holds the record for NI, when it reached 31.3C in July 2021.
The highest NI temperature for Tuesday this week also went to Castlederg, with 27.7C.
Many people will be glad to hear that temperatures are set to drop slightly towards the weekend, but with fine weather still on the cards.
The week ahead is forecast to remain settled and dry with sunny spells.
Today will be a dry day with plenty of sunshine and will be “very warm or hot” with light winds and a maximum temperature of 28C.
Tormorrow to Sunday will be dry and bright although there will be some cloud across the north and east. It will become cooler but still quite warm, especially in southern parts.