The AHDB’s latest crop development report shows a further decline in winter crop condition scores and many spring crops continue to struggle.
64% of winter wheat is now rated good or excellent, down from 74% in the previous report and a similar fall has been seen with winter barley.
Even in those areas that received the rain as May drew to a close, many crops still lack biomass and tiller development. Even with this late surge in rainfall, some areas, especially those with lighter soils, remain moisture-limited, so future rainfall is key.
Wheat and barley scores are still better than in 2025 and 2024. However, oat scores are lower than last season, 71% of the crop is rated as good to excellent.
AHDB senior analyst Helen Plant says it should be noted that so far, fewer crops nationally are in poor or very poor condition compared to last year, with more crops in ‘fair’ condition. This offers some hope that timely and adequate rainfall could help to stabilise or support crop potential, though for winter cereals this window of opportunity is not large.
“The current challenge to yield potential is not what was hoped for after several years of pressured farm margins due to extreme weather and low grain prices. Against this backdrop, and with input costs up sharply due to the war in Iran, higher yields are needed to help support farm profitability and cash flow,” she said.
