With April rainfall at just over half the UK’s monthly average and high temperatures, the impacts are starting to be seen in crops. The latest AHDB Crop Condition Report shows a dip in winter cereal condition scores.
Winter wheat in good or excellent condition fell from 67% at the end of March to 60% by the end of April – though still well above the 45% seen this time last year. Winter barley and oats also saw minor declines, while winter oilseed rape improved slightly.
Low disease pressure has so far been a silver lining, although yellow rust is becoming more frequent in winter wheat and there have been reports of gout fly damage. The dry spell has also complicated weed control in some winter cereals.
Despite the recent challenges, early indicators suggest this year’s winter crops are faring better than those in 2024. However, they remain behind the strong seasons of 2023 and 2022.
“While the dry conditions supported rapid spring sowing, the lack of follow-up rain is now putting pressure on crop development,” says AHDB senior analyst Helen Plant. “We’ve seen variation across regions, with some areas benefitting from mid-April showers while others continue to struggle. This could affect yield potential if dry conditions continue in May.”
