CHELMSFORD, England — Normally, a lush layer of green grass would cover Luigi Munday’s fields at this time of year — enough to feed his cattle until September. Instead, the land is parched and the grass is withered, forcing him to dip into his winter stock of hay to keep his herd fed.

“I don’t remember the last time we went six weeks without rain,” Mr. Munday said on Wednesday. “Only a proper week of full-on British rain can save the situation now.”

As soon as he dropped a bale of hay into his fields in Chelmsford, northeast of London, his 31 cows ran toward it and devoured the fodder. “See how hungry they are?” he asked.