At 2am, floodlights illuminate Eleanor Gilbert’s family farm in Berkshire. The 24‑year‑old harvests rapeseed in darkness to catch overnight dew, raising moisture to the 6‑7% level buyers accept. After a short sleep she returns at 10am for wheat, then back again – a jet‑lag‑like routine that forces farmers across Europe to change schedules.

Pietro Cifarelli, 60, in Puglia now harvests chickpeas after sunset to avoid dry, brittle pods. In France, grain maize production fell 35% from last year to 9 m tonnes, the lowest since 1980. Pig farmers in Corsica feed animals after dark when cooler temperatures make them more willing to eat.

Riverford founder Guy Singh‑Watson starts at 5am and delivers vegetables by 1pm, adding ice packs to keep produce cool. Dan Fairweather of Howden backs illuminated headgear for night work, though rising night temperatures cut the respite. Farmers are investing in cooling sheds, water‑nebulisation and firebreaks to protect crops and animals.

Cattle in Lazio use ventilation and water systems to keep milk output up, but costs rise with diesel fuel and irrigation. Italy faces a “two‑speed climate emergency” and the EU loses €28 bn in agriculture each year, projected to reach €40 bn by 2050.