The Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) is confirming a deterioration in winter cereal crop scores across the UK.

It said that this is a direct consequence of the dry weather that impacted across most of Great Britain (GB) throughout the month of April.

Currently, 75% of winter wheat crops are in a good or excellent condition, down from 82% in late March.

The equivalent figures for winter barley are 70% and 85%.

Meanwhile, 81% of winter oat crops are in a good or excellent condition, down from 88% the month previous.

Oilseed

On the upside, winter oilseed rape crops are generally maintaining their condition.

Across the UK, the proportion of crops rated good-to-excellent is unchanged from last month at 84%.

This is also notably above last year, when 59% of winter oilseed rape was in good-to-excellent condition, and above the scores for 2022, 2023, and 2024.

There is clear variability in crop development, but overall, winter crops remain more forward than last year.

Rainfall

The lack of rainfall is the main concern in Eastern England, with moisture stress exacerbated by an extended period of drying winds. These dry conditions are limiting both crop growth and nitrogen uptake.

Wales, Northern Ireland, and parts of the West Midlands received more rainfall during the spring so far; however, soils are now drying rapidly.

Scotland has not yet experienced the same dry weather impacts as England, largely due to higher winter rainfall.

Cooler nights and light frosts were widely reported throughout April but with little direct crop damage. Moisture stress is having a greater overall impact than lower night time temperatures.

Disease pressure is variable, influenced by weather conditions and crop variety. 

Spring planting

Meanwhile, the drier weather helped planting progress and spring drilling is largely complete nationwide, according to AHDB.

Across the UK, just 1% of spring wheat, 3% of spring barley and 4% of spring oat crops are yet to be planted or emerge. 

However, in Northern Ireland, there was only a very short drilling window before early April due to wet weather, which limited progress. A major drilling push is underway following improved conditions.

The establishment of all crops has been slow and uneven due to dry soil conditions in many areas of the UK. There is also a wide variation in the development of spring crops.

Rainfall levels in the coming weeks will be important to how both winter and spring crops develop.

Forecasts from the Met Office show potential for more unsettled weather and showers in May, which would be very welcome.