Across the UK, it’s been a record-breaking week for heat, with red weather warnings issued in certain areas, and temperatures climbing to more than 36C (97F).
For some, the unbroken sunshine meant working from an air-conditioned office or staying home with the curtains drawn – but what happens when your livelihood is dependent on the weather, and your job requires you to be outdoors, come rain or shine?
Steven Crabtree, a farmer from the Bolton Abbey estate near Skipton, says there are “advantages” to dry spells, including building up silage and hay stores for winter.
However, this week’s heatwave has fallen right in the middle of sheep shearing season, he explains, meaning half the flock are yet to be freed of their winter coats.
“The hill sheep have a double whammy of heat and their coats so it’s not good for them,” he says.
“They can’t put sun cream on, but they can head to the shade.”
Providing clean, accessible water troughs is also a must, he adds, as well as turning them out in areas with more shade, such as fields with trees or stone walls.
“They’re not as stupid as we like to think, sheep or cattle, when it comes to dealing with the weather,” Steven adds.
