The summer of 2026 was characterized by extreme heat and prolonged drought, making it potentially the coolest summer in the next 50 years, according to some estimates. These conditions have had far-reaching consequences on agriculture, affecting both plant and animal farming. Dairy production, in particular, has suffered, with milk yields dropping by 10 to 15 percent during the high temperatures. The quality of milk has also declined due to an increase in bacteria that negatively affect its composition, which has reduced income for farmers. Cédric Daure, a cattle farmer in Haute-Garonne and a member of the 31 Quality of Food Chamber of Agriculture, reported a 30 percent loss in silage corn, a key feed for livestock. Farmers are currently using silage from the previous year, which has remained in good condition, but this year's silage is expected to be of lower quality. To compensate, farmers are adding supplements to animal feed. Arnaud Viarouge, head of the dairy cattle and goat service at the Tarn Farming House, stressed the importance of analyzing forage to determine its nutritional value and adjust feed accordingly. These analyses help identify deficiencies and guide decisions on whether to skip certain feed components or seek alternatives, such as purchasing cake or forage. However, the availability of such materials has become a national concern, going beyond just price issues. The quality of silage has a major impact on milk production, with potential decreases in both volume and quality occurring within a short period. To maintain forage quality, farmers may need to add supplements, which increases their costs. For example, the amount of soy in rations may need to increase from 1.5 kg to 3 kg per cow by winter, adding to the financial burden. The drought has also affected pastures and harvests, with a national grass growth deficit of 36 percent as of August 20, 2026. Many farmers began using their winter forage and silage stocks as early as mid-July, with nearly all of it depleted by mid-August—three months earlier than usual. AOP (Protected Designation of Origin) cheese producers, such as those making AOP Rocamadour cheese, have had to temporarily revise their specifications due to the decrease or absence of local grazing. According to the FranceAgriMer (National Establishment for Agricultural and Sea Products) dairy market note released in August 2026, milk production dropped by nearly 1 percent in June 2026 compared to June 2025. This decline is attributed to the heatwave, which caused thermal stress on animals and reduced milk yields. The heat also increased the animals' water needs, with each cow drinking up to 150 liters per day. Energy that would otherwise go into milk production is used for cooling. Additionally, the proliferation of flies has led to issues such as dry udders, causing partial or total loss of milk production. The heat has also affected animal fertility, with increased mortality at births due to more complicated calvings and premature births with non-viable calves. Reproduction cycles have been shifted by several weeks, which may impact future milk production. Some farmers are implementing strategies to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures. Sébastien Gisquet, a cattle and sheep farmer in Pont-de-Salars (Aveyron), has opted for single milking during the summer for the third consecutive year to adapt to climate change. This approach reduces the cows' needs and allows more time for grazing, helping them cope with the heat. By grazing under trees, cows can avoid the worst of the heat, effectively reducing the temperature by 2 to 3 degrees. Sébastien Gisquet, who owns 80 hectares with 60 hectares of pastures, uses rotational grazing to reduce pasture fatigue and has diversified his pastures with sorghum forage, which requires less water. Despite these efforts, he has had to significantly deplete his winter stock due to a lack of rain, with only 30 to 35 millimeters of rain recorded throughout the summer. He concludes that despite the groundwork accomplished, the summer has been difficult, and it is logical when temperatures exceed 30 degrees. Farmers are now hoping for rain in the coming weeks to prepare for seedings and pastures in the spring of 2027.