Crop updates: 23 May 2025
Crops with better rooting have been more resilient in the dry conditions.
Our regular round up of the issues affecting crops around Scotland, summarises how crops are developing and what weather and other issues are affecting them. The update provides information on the progress with key field work activities as well as news on the pest, weed and disease problems being noted in crops. The health issues being seen in crops are a key part of the topical update and lets growers and agronomists adjust management practices appropriately. More details on crops in your area are available at Adopt-A-Crop.
23 May 2025
Crops with better rooting have been more resilient in the dry conditions.
General Comments
After one of the driest springs on record, crops are needing moisture. Rain at the weekend was welcome but may not be enough for some. Flag leaves in winter wheat crops are starting to roll and later drilled spring barleys in particular are struggling. Yellow rust in wheat remains problematic and has enjoyed cool nights, morning dews and coastal haars. Where growth in wheat crops slowed down between T1 and T2 flag leaves often took a while to emerge so some flag leaf sprays went on a little early in an effort to halt rust. Mildew has also been a feature this season across barley, wheat and oats but fortunately usually just as the stem base. Oilseed rape has flowered for a long time and seems unusually tall across the board. Weed control in spring crops has been tricky – some held back on herbicides anticipating that any rain would lead to a late flush.
Regional Comments
ORKNEY
Moisture isn’t typically the limiting factor for crops growing during spring in Orkney, but for 2025 it certainly is. Signs of stress in Spring barley are common, particularly in later sown crops where the roots are immature. Grass is also suffering, with newly grazed fields very slow to recover and reseeds struggling to germinate. Rain is forecast for the coming week, and it will be welcomed by all involved in agriculture.
CAITHNESS
It’s not quite desperation but there is no doubt some rain would be warmly welcomed both by cereal growers and grass growers in the area. One saving grace has been heavy dews in the morning which has certainly helped to keep things fresh. On the flip side the dry spell has allowed those preparing ground for turnip and grass reseeds to get the work done in great conditions. There is slight worry about bulk of fodder if the dry spell continues much longer.
MORAY
Like most areas throughout Scotland, we are experiencing what must be one of the driest Spring’s we have ever seen. Some fields are showing signs of drought stress with grass burning up across the region. Spring barley is showing a wide range of growth stages, with some just starting to tiller and others rocketing through stem extension. It has been noted that the earlier sown crops, are faring better, than some of the later sown crops which are struggling to put out many tillers. Winter crops are looking well on, with the grain heads now fully emerged – we just hope for a bit of moisture to fill the seeds. First cut silage is now under way, it appears very dry and yields lower than usual. Some rain now would certainly make everyone more cheery – just as long as it remembers to stop once it does arrive.
INVERNESS
Over the last 2 weeks we have had very warm, dry conditions with temperatures reaching into the 20s. No or little rain has been reported in the same period with no signs of any change for the coming week. Oilseed rape is coming to the end of its flowering period with some pods starting to form. All spring cereals are widening and elongating. Although those that were sown later seem to be struggling to progress due to the lack of moisture. Very little disease present. All crops have an even cover across the whole field and mostly very clean of disease. Spring barley crops were sprayed to control weeds. The forecast for the future looks to continue to be hot and dry. These dry spells may prove to be a challenge for crops in the next few weeks.
ABERDEENSHIRE
As much as it’s been lovely weather, we’re all awaiting a shower of rain, which according to the forecast is not far away now. It’s therefore a race to get jobs completed before the rain comes and decide what to leave. Flag leaves in wheat are emerging, and most spring crops are now at late tillering and about to get a weed spray (if not already received one), as despite the dry weather there has still been an emergence of weeds. Early first cuts of silage have also started to be taken, and reports so far indicate reduced yields, which is understandable. Here’s hoping the rain provides a refreshing boost and doesn’t just stay now that mowers and sprayers are out in force!
BANFF & BUCHAN
As with the rest of the country, the dry weather continues, and the effects of this spring are becoming more visible. Spring crops are very mixed, ranging from fairly good to quite poor, with some heavy later areas in the east seeing very poor levels of germination, with large patches not growing or having emerged. Even the better crops are turning paler than normal, a combination of Manganese deficiency and lack of rain. Weed sprays are now starting to be applied although care is being taken with already stressed crops. Winter crops are still looking well, oilseed rapes are losing their flowers, ears have emerged in winter barleys and winter wheat flag leaves are emerging, and the dry spring has seen low levels of disease. Potatoes are starting to peep through the drills although a number of farmers are patiently waiting for rain before sowing turnips and grass seed.
ANGUS
Irrigators are working flat out in the area mainly on vegetables, but a few have been seen in cereal crops also. Many areas have seen only 1 inch of rain since the beginning of March and crops and grass are burning up on lighter land or gravelly banks and a dewy morning is now welcome. However, the forecast is now for a change in the weather at the weekend which should bring some rainfall over the next few weeks. Yellow rust has been the main disease pressure on wheat crops with many having to alter programs to include specific rust control. Winter barley has mostly remained clean throughout and needs some moisture to all ears to fill out. Early sown spring crops now have flag leaf emerged. Some later sown crops are struggling, showing nutrient deficiencies and stress, tillers are being lost and for the worst effected crops the rain will be too late.
PERTHSHIRE
Water, or the lack of tends to be the main topic of conversation. Winter crops have generally fared well having got their roots down but crops in some less bodied land are suffering with leaves being rolled up and tillers being lost. Early sown spring crops have generally fared well, but some later sown crops are struggling. All crops however would like to see some rain which is at least in the forecast now, but time will tell how much we get. Winter oilseed rape is now well into pod set with most flowers now having dropped. Winter wheat is at flag leaf stage and receiving T2 fungicides. Winter barley is now at ears emerging or flowering and the gates are mostly closed until harvest.
FIFE
All crops are very dry, though only the crops on the lightest land are starting to burn off. Hill grassland has started to go brown over rockheads over the last 5 days. Irrigators are running on potato and vegetable crops but water scarcity reports from SEPA would indicate irrigation out of water courses could be restricted soon if no rain falls. Disease-wise, winter wheats are showing only low levels of septoria though yellow rust bubbled up here and there, just prior to T2 applications. Winter barleys have had their T2 and now have heads fully emerged; without water the grain fill will be poor. Spring barley is looking well; it has good deep roots but is coming to the end of soil moisture. Those crops grown in fields that have had FYM are looking far less stressed than those without. Disease levels were extremely low, however, where T1 has been delayed due to fears of stressing the crop, some net blotch can be found. Silage quality is being reported as good and yields better than expected, though re-growth post-harvest will be slow without moisture. Rain forecast for this weekend will be welcome.
STIRLINGSHIRE
Crops across the area have generally progressed well, with good conditions for silage and grazing. Although grass regrowth of first cuts and grazing is slow on heavily stocked or lighter soils due to a lack of moisture. Winter cereals are now at the point of ears out or at ear emergence and looking largely clean bar those which had yellow rust which has been treated, timely T3 sprays will be important in these winter wheat crops. Winter oilseed rape is mid to late flowering, with a mix of canopy structures, there was less pollen beetle activity than expected; also, the upcoming rain could raise sclerotinia risk. Spring barley is more variable: the crops on some heavier soils planted earlier look well, while those sown later on sandy ground are showing nutrient deficiencies such as yellow tipping and purpling due to moisture stress. Rain forecast later this week will be vital to boost spring crops and maintain grass growth.
LOTHIANS
Aside from a few localised showers on the 20th we still wait for the weather to break and hopefully we’ll see rain before May closes out. Earliest sown spring cereals are faring much better than those that were sown later and in many instances emergence in these later crops, has been erratic. Anywhere where spring cereals have gone into tight seedbeds, they exhibit nutritional stress symptoms because of poor rooting exacerbated by the dry conditions. Disease pressure in spring cereals is light currently. Earliest winter wheats are booting, and one can’t help but think it’s to the detriment of final yield as water stress dictates crop development. Decisions around final nitrogen applications for protein in quality wheats are difficult to calculate given that previous applications are unlikely to have been fully assimilated by the plant so far. Silaging is well underway although yields not unexpectedly light. Similarly for straw, availability of post-harvest supplies will likely be tight now. Oilseed rape has had an uninterrupted flowering season which bodes well for yield potential this year.
BORDERS
Visual signs of plant stress are now appearing in spring sown cereals with pale leaves and increased incidence and levels of manganese deficiency. Late sown spring cereals into dry or rough seedbeds have patchy emergence and all crops are in need of moisture. Winter barley is flowering, flag leaves are emerging or out in wheat and oats, spring cereals range from three leaf to second node and flowering is all but over in oilseed rape. Active diseases are yellow rust in wheat and mildew in spring oats. Generally, wheat is free of septoria T and unless affected by yellow rust winter crops have five clean leaves, barleys are free from rhynchosporium.
LANARKSHIRE
Dry weather continues across Lanarkshire. Winter barley has been stressed during these conditions causing early heading for many, this will limit straw yields when it comes to harvest. Spring crops too have felt the strain of the weather however it’s hard to tell the extent just yet, but many are hopeful that with conditions due to break this weekend the crops should recover. First cut silage is now in full swing for many dairies in the district. Some fearing once the rain comes it won’t stop so have brought their first cut forward a couple of weeks to catch the good weather. Meaning we may find yields slightly back on previous years.
AYRSHIRE
The past fortnight in Ayrshire has been very dry, bright, and sunny. Crops are not yet showing signs of drought stress and with rain forecast this weekend there should be no adverse effects on the crops from the dry spell. The winter barley is ranging from GS55 to GS59, with a significant proportion of the ears fully emerged. The spring barley is ranging from GS26 to GS30 and the number of tillers ranging from three to six per plant. The GAI of the crops is not universal throughout the fields with some plants getting away earlier than others. Disease incidence in the winter cereals is largely confined to the lower leaves and disease is not yet prevalent in the spring barley crops. The average temperature over the past fortnight has been 14.4°C.
Posted by SAC Consulting on 28/05/2025
