Dry spring is mixed blessing for farming community
BBCFarmers say they need at least "a week of solid rain" as record dry weather continues to affect their businesses.
Dairy farmer Richard Cornock from Tytherington in South Gloucestershire has been farming for more than 40 years and has "never known a spring like this".
It has been the warmest spring on record and the driest in more than 50 years, according to Met Office figures.
A lack of rain has slowed the growth of grass used to produce silage for Mr Cornock's cattle, meaning he will now have to buy feed for the winter, which he said will have "a big financial impact".
Mr Cornock said the volume of his silage was down by one third. He also planted two fields with maize but the dry weather means half of the crop has failed due to lack of moisture in the ground.
"I probably put £700 worth of maize seed in the field which has failed or partly failed and I've started buying some silage bales in. I think we spent nearly £3,000," he explained.
Despite some rainfall over the past week, Mr Cornock said he needs a solid week of full rain to make any real difference but he is not feeling optimistic.
"It's leaving me with a real problem, because this drought is just going on and on and on.
"It's unbelievable, everyone thinks it'll break soon and we'll get a heavy downpour and then it just goes on another week and another week."
For other farmers, the recent weather conditions have brought positive benefits.
Paul Keene from Primrose Vale Fruit Farm, Cheltenham, said the sunshine has been great for his strawberries.
He said the small amount rainfall means his pumpkins are now showing "good signs of growth" and he's also seen some benefits to his asparagus.
"We're happy to see a little bit of rain, but not too much because the strawberries at this time of year are at their best, I'm sure lots of farmers would rather see a bit more," he added.