Farmers are struggling with lower yields and less grass for livestock as drought hits England - Gareth Fuller/PA WireBanks are rolling out emergency loans for farmers as drought threatens to hit crop yields. The bank, one of the biggest agricultural lenders in the country, warned that the prolonged dry conditions were creating "significant challenges" for farmers nationwide. Arable farmers face lower yields and earlier harvests while livestock farmers are grappling with reduced grass growth and increased feed costs. NatWest warned that the impact would extend beyond the drought itself, with warmer weather increasing the risks of disease outbreaks and damaging livestock productivity. Ian Burrow, NatWest's head of agriculture, said the bank had seen a 22pc year-on-year surge in farmers' overdraft usage.