Crop updates: March 2026
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.
12 March 2026
General Comments
There was a brief interlude of pleasant weather last weekend, but progress has once again been set back with a swing to more unsettled, wetter, colder weather. Spring barley drilling had got underway on lighter soils, although in general, the majority of land remains under plough and unworked. Tramline conditions have allowed first nitrogen applications on rape and some winter cereals and growers will be hoping that the 2nd half of March dries up and fieldwork can get underway in earnest.
Regional Comments
CAITHNESS
Normally as spring hits, weather conditions are the limiting factor for ground work. At the moment the biggest concern in the area is the lack of diesel supply with some growers holding off ploughing due to a now near 3 week waiting list for delivery. That said ground conditions are good and there has been good progress for some across the area with muck spreading and ploughing. Fodder supplies are very tight driven by lower yields due to the drier summer of 2025 and previous years low demand for fodder saw some farmers top grass rather than produce bales.
MORAY
Many of the winter sown crops in the area have now had an application of fertiliser following the end of the NVZ closed period (20th February) and are now looking much better and less yellow. Winter barley crops are at mid tillering and have a reasonable amount of rhynchosporium present in the lower leaves whilst wheat crops, not so far advanced at 1 tiller, seem cleaner. Oilseed rape crops are now at stem extension stage and have had their light leaf spot spray. Like much of the rest of the country, Moray has been experiencing a spell of good, dry and reasonably warm weather, until this week that is. That good spell has allowed a lot of ploughing, lime spreading and ground preparation to take place and a few fields of spring barley in the area are now sown.
INVERNESS
Over the last few weeks, we have seen milder spells along with some cold and overcast weather. There have been few showers of rain but enough to keep crops moving and ground workable. Snow has been present but only at higher levels. The winter crops are progressing well throughout the growth stages, with the earlier sown crops moving into stem elongation. All winter crops are showing no signs of disease or weed presence.
Spring crop preparation is well underway with some sowing taking place and more expected over the coming weeks. Looking forward into the next few week, we will see slightly warmer conditions, with some cool cloudy spells. the warmer spells of sunshine along with the continued shower of rain will continues to help the crops develop in the further stages.
ABERDEENSHIRE
The fine weather this last week has started to see muck getting spread and stubbles getting ploughed, as well as the first applications of nitrogen fertiliser applied to winter crops. Ground conditions however have been variable according to reports, with tractors having to avoid wet bits when driving up and down tramlines. Despite all the rain in January, winter crops however, appear to have come through the winter quite well, even if there are a few bedraggled bits.
BANFF & BUCHAN
What a difference a month makes! From seemingly endless days of rain and dull skies through most of January and February we now have sunny days and with a bit of wind, things are drying up. Winter crops are receiving some welcome nitrogen, with winter barleys in particular looking yellow and hungry. Winter oilseed rapes are just starting to come away and with more sun and a bit of warmth, they are sure to take off soon. Crops are clean although some Manganese is also being applied to winter barleys. Many arable farmers may feel like they are playing catch up with drainage remedial work, FYM to be applied, land to be ploughed all to be done in a relatively short window this year before spring sowing starts. Thankfully the days are stretching and many are taking advantage of the lighter evenings and drier weather to work a wee bit longer. Crop choices are almost decided although uncertainty in terms of malting barley contracts and prices still weighs heavy. The changes EFA guidance are still garnering a number of queries and farmers try to find the best options for them and their system. Issues elsewhere also mean that there is uncertainty over diesel supply and price, just when arable farmers are coming up to one of their busiest periods and there is real concern amongst those farmers who have still to order fertiliser as to when they can get it and what price they will have to pay and the subsequent impact on margins.
KINCARDINESHIRE
A drier couple of weeks have seen soil conditions improve and farmers get back on the land spreading FYM and ploughing. Winter oilseed rape has had its first application of nitrogen and is into stem extension. There are traces of light leaf spot in the crops and fungicides will be on or going on in the next week. Some winter barley crops in the area are pretty well advanced and well through tillering with lots of lush growth. Other crops are more normal for the time of year. Rynchosporium can be found as well as net blotch in crops which have been direct drilled. Most winter barley will now have had nitrogen applied. Winter wheat has come through the winter well at around GS 22-25 and is responding to its first nitrogen application.
Old leaves on the crop are infected with septoria but new growth seems to be remaining clean. Temperatures are still too low for any spring grass weed control. Soil conditions are quite good considering the amount of rain there has been in the first few months of the year with only a few wet spots found so far.
FIFE
With slightly drier weather over the last couple of weeks, muck spreading and ploughing of stubbles has resumed at pace! 1st top dressing of nitrogen on winter cereals and oilseed rape has started. Soil temperatures are still a little low but there is talk of some beans to be sown on light land towards the end of this week weather dependant. NVZ plan season is drawing to a close and fertiliser orders are mostly in, though when the late ordered fertiliser will be delivered is a worry. Warmer breezy weather would be welcome.
STIRLINGSHIRE
Good weather over the start of the month has allowed some farmers to make progress with field work. Several fields have been ploughed in recent weeks, while others have taken advantage of the drier conditions to apply slurry and farmyard manure. Some crops have also received their first dose of fertiliser. Activity has slowed at the start of this week, with light rain forecast for the foreseeable future. Ground conditions are currently sticky, particularly on the Carse soils. Crops are generally looking well, with little weed or disease pressure observed. However, some crops are beginning to show signs of nitrogen deficiency, which will be addressed once conditions allow.
LOTHIANS
The first of the spring barley crops are being established on the lighter coastal soils and into good soil conditions. On heavier soils, drilling is perhaps a couple of weeks away yet, as we have yet to see a prolonged drying period of any significance. Winter wheat is relatively free of disease and T0’s, where deemed necessary, will be more protective rather than curative with little yellow rust found. The extent of tillering and general growth stage in wheats is very variable between crops reflecting the wide establishment timings last autumn. Disease levels are observably higher in winter barley crops and will need monitoring more closely. Prospects for oilseed rape once again look encouraging with forward crops starting to extend as daylight hours increase.
BORDERS
Over the last 4 weeks there has been a further 63mm of rain in our St Boswells rain gauge. Winter rainfall (1st October – 1st March) along the east coast has exceeded 450mm allowing an additional 10kg/ha nitrogen allowance in NVZ areas. Weather conditions have remained unsettled, but some dry windows have allowed growers to carry out applications of nitrogen to winter crops. Soil temperatures have risen from 5c to 8c degrees over the past fortnight with crops beginning to respond to early nitrogen. Cereal crops have maintained their healthy green colour and are well tillered (GS23-26). Oilseed Rape has largely avoided any late pigeon damage, and flower buds are starting to rise and stems extend. Growers will be looking for opportunities to apply a light leaf spot spray in the coming weeks and more T0 sprays are expected on wheat to protect crops from yellow rust. A settled and drier spell of weather will be welcome to allow drilling of spring crops to commence.
AYRSHIRE
Spring is taking its good time getting here, like much of the southwest, this last fortnight has been cold and wet, with only brief windows of sunshine. Winter sown barley is tillering away in the fields, with the crops observed being between growth stage 23 – 29 and a lot of the first dressings of fertiliser have been applied. Crops appear fairly clean and free of disease though there are some isolated instances of manganese deficiency. As with the last report, more and more farmers are getting in touch to get a grip on the new greening requirements, with low input grassland being particularly popular in the area.
LANARKSHIRE
The weather has been quite variable recently, with snow falling one evening in the previous week, spells of sunshine and more favourable temperatures and periods of heavy rain. Due to unpredictable weather, many are making good use of dry weather when possible and spreading slurry and FYM. A few farms have gone on with fertiliser applications in recent days. Soil temperatures are still cold enough for any major grass growth to be apparent. Cultivations are still very much on hold across the district.
Posted by SRUC on 16/03/2026
