’The grass is dying, the crops are failing and farmers are already giving next winter’s feed to livestock out in the fields.’

That is the stark reality facing the island’s farmers according to the general secretary of the Manx National Farmers’ Union Andrew Cooper.

Mr Cooper made the comment during a summer which, despite the previous few days, has seen little rainfall for the past two months.

He said: ’We are currently working on solutions for feed and bedding over the winter for the Manx livestock and the MNFU fears if we cannot source alternative feed and bedding we will have even more significant issues come winter.

’There is a very expensive limited supply from the UK but current prices are double what they would be in a normal year.

’We are in crisis talks with the Department for Environment Food and Agriculture looking at solutions to prevent the potential animal welfare issues that could arise from the massive shortage of feed and bedding.’

Mr Cooper said that farmers can’t sell at the minute as the shortages of feed and bedding has led to a downturn in livestock sales in the island and UK.

However, one farmer who wished not to be named, said that there is a larger number of animals being sold off island as farmers look to cut their losses and food levels for later in the year.

Tim Knighton, production manager at Troutlodge where £200,000 worth of fish were killed earlier this year, has also stated his concern over the lack of rainfall.

Mr Knighton said: ’We are just about coping but are still getting deeper into critical conditions here at the farms.

’DEFA fisheries are allowing us to stock more fish earlier than planned to lower biomass on our Cornaa site which help reduce loss of stock but does not by any means the site is in a safer place.’

Rachel Ranson and Alan Teare of Ballakelly Farm explained that the farm had been hit by both the wet winter and dry summer.

During the winter, the farm had to keep their animals inside for longer which used up more food.

And as the dry summer went on, the lack of green grass across the island means the farmers are having to use this winter feed early.

Ms Ranson added she believes the problems farms are facing is a hard one for DEFA to fix because it is entirely out of their control.

She said it could take a couple of years for farms to recover and thinks it’s possible farmers will need to think more about irrigation in future years.

Mr Teare said that even with continuous rainfall now, it is too late to build significant crops and farmers like him are looking at damage limitation.

In the final Tynwald sitting of the political year, Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson asked the DEFA Minister Geoffrey Boot MHK, what financial assistance is available to farmers who are struggling because of the dry summer.

Mr Boot said: ’I can advise that the recent period of dry weather is a very serious issue for many in the farming community and my department is working closely with the industry to determine the scale of impact that the spell of hot and dry weather is having.

’The recent rain is a relief, however, we would need more to make a significant difference and for many crops, the damage is now done.

’I have seen first-hand the issues the prolonged dry weather has created and my officers met with the MNFU last week and will shortly be meeting with the processors to identify the type and level of assistance that may be appropriate.’

He added that while financial help would be welcomed, there are other practical and logistical options he will consider and he expects to make an announcement soon.