Drought and Heat Push Spanish Farmers Into Winter Feed Reserves
Extreme heat and drought in Spain's Cantabria region have forced farmers to use winter feed early, raising costs and threatening herd sizes.
Persistent high temperatures and scarce rainfall this summer have severely disrupted livestock farming in Spain, particularly in the northern region of Cantabria. The area recorded its hottest June and July since records began, with temperatures running 3 to 4 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. Mountain pastures, normally lush enough for grazing at this time of year, have withered prematurely, leaving herders with little choice but to tap into feed reserves meant for winter.
Jose Fernandez, a farmer who has worked his land for over two decades and currently raises 60 cattle and horses, said the shortage has upended his usual routine. "We cut the grass and collected and stored it. It was originally stored for winter use, but now we have already started using it for them," he said. "This means that when winter comes, these reserves will be exhausted. Moreover, the animals are not growing as fat and strong as before."
Regional government assessments show potential pasture yields in Cantabria have dropped by an average of 25.53 percent, with some areas seeing declines exceeding 32 percent. The early consumption of feed stocks has pushed up breeding costs by roughly 250 euros per animal, affecting both cattle and horses.
Local livestock organizations point to broader European conditions as a key driver of rising feed prices. Widespread drought across the continent, along with severe forest fires in Spain, has intensified demand. Farmers from France and Portugal have also traveled to provinces near Cantabria to purchase feed, further straining supply. "This is driving up production costs," said Luis Perez Portilla, secretary general of the Cantabrian Mountain Farmers and Herders Federation (UGAM-COAG).
Some farmers are now considering selling part of their herds to offset mounting expenses. A sustained reduction in livestock numbers could shrink the region's overall production capacity. The Cantabria regional government has announced 3 million euros in aid, but livestock groups warn the support may be insufficient if drought risks persist into autumn and winter.