Crop updates: 8 May 2025
Lack of moisture could start to limit winter cereals.
General Comments
Growth rates in crops vary widely and some crops are leaping ahead with awns out in winter barley and flag leaves emerging in winter wheat and oats. Cool and dry weather is definitely holding back some crops and is certainly impacting pest, weed, and disease levels. Since crops are at a huge range of growth stages and often a bit off calendar norms we have covered as many bases as possible in this report.
Spring barley crops would be glad of some more water and although early sown crops are tillering well there are examples of later sown ones in poorer seed beds that have failed to germinate well. Winter cereals still look good but some moisture there would not go amiss either, to maximise on their earlier potential. For wheat, yellow rust remains the main worry in wheat so walk crops carefully. The better news is that earlier sprays seem to have worked well in managing early infections. Septoria is present but at lower levels than last year and with flag leaf sprays due hopefully protection will be well timed. Mildew is also being reported in quite a few crops although still at the stem base. Gates are shutting now on most winter barley crops and flowers are starting to go off in winter oilseed rape crops. Weed levels in spring crops are relatively low and care with herbicides has been needed in stressy conditions.
You can see more details on what is affecting crops in your local area at SRUC Adopt-A-Crop.
Flag leaves are emerging in winter wheat.
Regional Comments
ORKNEY
The unusually dry spring weather continues and is forecast to last for another week at least. Whilst ground conditions are ideal for machinery and livestock, the crops would benefit from a night of rain and an increase in temperature. The early sown spring barley is beginning to tiller and is vulnerable to an attack from greylag geese and leatherjackets. Vigilance is key to minimising damage from the former, but little can now be done apart from rolling to control the latter. Cattle are being turned out to grass in increasing numbers and some farmers are beginning to spray docks where they are an issue.
CAITHNESS
Yet another excellent spell of weather with some much sought after showers helping greatly to freshen up crops and grass alike. Although some more moisture certainly wouldn’t go amiss. Some lower temperatures in the past week but the spring 2025 feel good factor is still here! Winter crops continue to look the part. Grass growth has certainly improved and with that more cattle are being turned out.
MORAY
The dry spell continues into another month with only a brief interlude at the weekend when it felt like winter again. Not all producers received rain, however, as showers were localised and the lack of rain is certainly the main topic of conversation. Top dress fertiliser applications have been applied to many spring crops which have emerged well. Winter oilseed rape crops across the county are now in full flower and their pungent smell fills the air. Some winter barley crops have really jumped with awns peeping on many crops las week whilst others have flag leaves out.
Moderate levels of rhynchosporium are present but confined to older leaves as thoughts now turn to T2 sprays. Winter wheat crops look to be thickening up as they approach flag leaf stage. Again, moderate levels of septoria are present. Whilst it has been excellent weather for lambing, grass growth has slowed. Fertiliser has been applied but like all the other crops, some moisture is what’s most required.
INVERNESS
Over the last 2 weeks we have had mostly warm, dry conditions with temperatures up to 20oC. In the last few days, it has been more overcast, however, still warm with small spells of showers. All spring cereals are now well established and beginning to widen and elongate. Very little disease present, apart from a very slight presence of septoria tritici in the winter wheat crops. Oilseed rape is well into flowering with 50%+ flowers now yellow. All crops have an even cover across all fields and mostly clean of disease. With some more light rain showers and sunny spells forecast over the next few days this will help crops continue to progress.
ABERDEENSHIRE
As this fine spell of weather continues a common concern is the lack of moisture for crops and grass, as any little showers are gladly received at present. Most spring barleys have emerged now and are growing away well, with crops between first true leaf and late tillering. Spring weeds do seem to be emerging (despite the lack of moisture), but growers are trying to be ready with herbicides to treat after a showery spell to reduce any issues with crop stress. Winter barley awns are emerging, and winter wheat flag leaves are at early emergence and seem a bit earlier than the last couple of years. Disease levels are generally low at present but reports of yellow rust in winter wheat have been made locally, which is causing a bit of concern.
BANFF & BUCHAN
The dry spell continues with no significant rainfall in sight, and more than a few growers are starting to look for a good shower of rain to get things going again. Later sown spring crops are struggling due to lack of moisture with those sown earlier also starting to suffer with thinner patches visible and yellowing in fields. This is more apparent on heavier land, particularly where land has dried out too quickly compromising seed beds. Winter barleys are flying through the growth stages and awns peeping is imminent, with T2s being applied. Many crops look very well although some disease is starting to appear. Winter wheats are also looking well and are not far behind. Winter oilseed rapes are reaching mid flower with sprays being applied. Potato planting has progressed very well, with little stoppages. Cattle and sheep are thriving, enjoying the sun on their backs with plentiful grass. While the weather forecast suggests more of the same, one cloud on the horizon is harvest grain prices, which continue to be under pressure with little signs of improvement.
ANGUS
Winter oilseed rape crops are now mostly passed full flower and beginning pod set with many tall crops this year. Winter barley is now at awns peeping and T2 fungicides are being applied with crops generally clean. Winter wheat crops have slowed down growth this week with cold nights and dry weather with crops at GS33-37. Septoria levels are low, but mildew can be found in the base of some crops and yellow rust has appeared in some areas where the sprayer missed or if T1s were delayed. Early sown spring barley looks well, and many have had post emergence herbicides and manganese applied with T1 fungicides timing approaching. Later sown crops are now looking for rain to help them get going.
PERTHSHIRE
Warm or hot days and cold nights with little rainfall has been the recent weather but crops generally look well with relatively low disease levels. Oilseed rape is in full flower and winter barley is shooting but with wheats into stem extension. Spring barleys are generally good at present, but late sown crops are looking for water. Gentle rain would be welcomed.
FIFE
Cereal crops are looking healthy and growing well; some later sown spring barleys have thin patches on heavier ground where seed to soil contact is not so good, and seed is waiting for moisture before it germinates. Winter barleys are all at or approaching awns peeping stage; disease levels are low, but some rain would be beneficial to start grain fill. Winter wheats have raced into T1; most have had that applied and look well, yellow rust seems to have been controlled and only low levels of septoria can be found. Growth has slowed up due to lack of moisture. Winter oilseed rape is in full bloom apart from some fields that were heavily attacked by pigeons.
A week of nighttime rain, with warm weather through the day would bring crops to their full potential; without it winter cereals will be disappointing.
STIRLINGSHIRE
First cuts of silage have now been completed across much of the region, with yields exceeding expectations thanks to the recent dry spell. Winter cereals are progressing well overall. Winter wheat is largely clean, though yellow rust has been identified in susceptible RL-listed varieties in the Stirling area. Winter barley is around the awns-emerging stage, with some rhynchosporium still present, and minor mildew has been observed in winter oats — all within the expected range for this point in the season. Oilseed rape has seen a significant burst in growth since the last update, with around 50% of crops now through flowering. Despite the dry conditions, broad-leaved weeds remain an issue in some winter cereal fields, prompting adjustments to spray programmes
All spring crops are now sown and have established well, showing clean emergence with minimal pest damage or disease. Granular fertiliser applied a fortnight ago remains visible on the surface in places due to the ongoing dry weather, but no major concerns have been reported. Overall, crops across the board are in good condition.
LOTHIANS
The run of dry weather continues. The last of the potatoes are being planted and transplanted veg is holding its own despite the absence of rain. Areas of spring barley crops that appear thin on the ground are usually a result of cloddy seedbeds where the seed has failed to germinate in the dry conditions. Post emergence seedbed consolidation with flat rolls has been a worthwhile moisture retention exercise. Manganese deficiency in spring barley is already showing itself, no doubt exacerbated by the dry conditions. Broad leaved weed emergence in spring sown crops is erratic too and normal herbicide timings are being delayed awaiting the flushes still to come. Wheats continue to remain clean although mildew is easily seen in the base of the crop. A watchful eye is being kept on aphids present in spring cereals.
BORDERS
April rainfall did not get above 11 mm; whilst not the driest April in recent years it is well below the 56mm average. Winter and early sown spring crops continue to look well and racing through growth stages; I cannot recall winter barley awns peeping in April! Heads are now emerging with flag leaf emerging in winter wheat and oats, and winter rape flower coming to an end. Late sown spring cereals are emerging unevenly and require rain. Disease levels generally remain low and on lower leaves. Earlier this season yellow rust was being reported in multiple wheat varieties but hopefully will now be under control from T0 or T1 sprays. Mildew can be found on some wheat stem bases and has been more active in winter oats. Septoria T levels in wheat remain low and restricted to older leaves.
LANARKSHIRE
Lanarkshire has experienced yet another dry and sunny spell over the past week and weather isn’t said to break for another 10 days. As much as this has had positive effects on the tail end of lambing’s and spring calvers, crops in the area will start to feel the pinch as the soil dries. Farmers in the area have even commented on the dryness of the soil as they plough for reseeds. Winter crops continue to grow well, though many hope this prolonged dry spell doesn’t last long enough to disturb crop growth. Many feel the same about spring crops, especially now fertiliser has been spread. Some rain wouldn’t go a miss to help with absorption.
However, this hasn’t stopped a handful of farmers in the district either already taking their first cut of silage or preparing to go in this weekend’s sunshine. Furthermore, those in the district not quite ready for silage yet have begun rolling their fields ahead of cutting later in the season.
AYRSHIRE
Ayrshire has had a good stretch of beautiful spring/summer warmth and brightness over the past fortnight. Ear emergence is well underway in the winter barley which is ranging between GS51 and GS55. Some later sown spring barley fields are still to emerge, whilst those sown at the beginning of the month are ranging between GS16 and GS23. There is no visible disease present yet in the young spring barley crops. The county is mostly busy bringing in the first cut of silage this week, with many planning to go back onto spring crops with fertiliser after the silage cut is complete. The average temperature over the last fortnight has been 11°C with a high of 21 and low of 0 including an unexpected ground frost on Monday this week.
Posted by SAC Consulting on 14/05/2025
