Earlier harvest set to follow  dry spring

• Lack of rain hits UK cereal crops

• Wheat and barley under stress

• Yield penalties on parched soil

Growers face an earlier harvest with combines expected to roll into cereal crops later this month after the driest start to spring for more than 60 years.

Reservoir levels remain low following the driest March in England since 1961. April received just half its normal rainfall – prompting some farmers to irrigate crops early, including cereals and sugar beet.

AHDB agronomy manager Emma Willis said: “Most cereal and oilseed rape crops were in fair, good or excellent condition at the end of April. A fortnight later and many more were showing signs of stress.”

Earlier harvest

With some wheat reaching flag leaf stage two weeks earlier than usual, growers on lighter land face an even earlier harvest than 2022, when combine harvesters rolled into barley before the end of June.

Martin Lines, of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, said: “Every day without rain pushes crop yields backwards. Water for irrigation is already running low, and farmers are having to make hard decisions about which crops – if any – can be saved.”

A meeting of the National Drought Group – convened last month by the Environment Agency – was told that water companies must do more to cut leakage and encourage customers and businesses use supplies  wisely.

The drought group includes Met Office representatives, industry regulators, water companies, farmers and conservationists.

No area is currently in drought – but there is a medium risk this summer without sustained rainfall.

Be prepared

Chairing the meeting, Environment Agency deputy water director Richard Thompson warned: “Drier conditions at the start of this year mean a drought is a possibility and we need to be prepared.”

The last two years were some of the wettest on record for England, acknowledged Mr Thompson. But he added: “The changing climate means we will see more summer droughts in the coming decades.”

The Environment agency said it was closely monitoring the situation – especially in high-risk locations – as well as working with farmers to help them plan for irrigating their crops.

Defra water minister Emma Hardy said:  Our water infrastructure is crumbling after years of under-investment. Water companies must go further and faster to cut leaks and build the infrastructure needed to secure our water supply.

The government had secured over £104 billion of private sector investment to fund infrastructure improvements, said Ms Hardy.

This included nine new reservoirs to secure future water supply into the decades to come, she added.

Plan ahead for risk of drought

Farmers growing forage are being asked to assess feed requirements now because of continuing dry weather.

With many cattle and sheep farmers relying on grazing during the summer, and harvesting silage for winter food stocks, now is the time to make plans to help mitigate against poor grass growth.

AHDB senior knowledge exchange manager Katie Evans said: “The lack of rainfall – particularly in the driest regions where it hasn’t rained for weeks – could significantly slow growth, reduce silage yields, and impact grazing availability.”

Contingency plans

Although good grass growth rates were achieved on some farms during early May, it was worthwhile farmers assessing both summer and winter feed requirements and building contingency plans, said Ms Evans.

“This might include reviewing silage stocks, being prepared to cut earlier than usual to prioritise feed quality over bulk and considering fast-growing catch crops for summer or autumn grazing.”

“Rotational grazing can help protect residuals and reduce plant stress, and where pasture supply is tight, using buffer or supplementary feeding early can protect sward recovery later in the season.”

Small decisions now would help to maintain long-term resilience and avoid bigger challenges later in the year, said Ms Evans.

“It’s about being proactive: resting paddocks, avoiding overgrazing, and preserving pasture cover. ”