Devon County Council has welcomed a £65 million support package for farmers but questioned whether it is genuinely new money.
The council said the funding could offer relief to farmers in the South West hit by drought and extreme weather, but asked if it was being reallocated from existing budgets.
Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, the council's cabinet member for rural affairs and a sheep farmer, said: "Any additional support for farmers facing drought and extreme weather is welcome, particularly after such a challenging summer.
"However, it appears this £65 million is being found through reprioritisation within Defra's existing farming budget rather than being genuinely new funding.
"Farmers will want to see the detail and understand what is being reduced elsewhere to pay for it."
The funding, announced by the Government, includes support for on-farm reservoirs and measures to improve access to water during dry conditions.
Devon County Council has also called on the Government to take stronger action on the spread of Bluetongue, a livestock disease affecting farms across the region.
Ms Cottle-Hunkin has written to ministers urging faster disease testing, clearer reporting, improved communication with farmers, reliable vaccine supplies, financial support for affected businesses, and long-term planning for disease management.
She highlighted France's response to the BTV-3 outbreak in 2024, where the Government funded millions of vaccine doses and made them available free to farmers.
Ms Cottle-Hunkin said: "France has shown that a Government can take decisive action when livestock disease threatens farming communities.
"We need to see that same level of seriousness here."
She warned that Devon's farmers are under pressure from multiple fronts.
Ms Cottle-Hunkin said: "Alongside the dry weather and wildfire risk, many are now dealing with the very real impact of Bluetongue on their livestock and their businesses.
"Our farmers produce food, support rural jobs and care for the countryside.
"They are resilient, but they cannot be expected to face these challenges alone."
The council said financial, veterinary, and practical support will be critical in helping farmers manage the ongoing risks.
Devon Council Hails £65m Support for Drought-Affected Farmers