Crop updates: October 2025
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.
10 October 2025
General Comments
For the new crop year, a promising start off the back of an open and relatively dry autumn drilling period with most crops now in the ground. A fair-weather forecast into the middle of October should help potato growers lift the last of the crop and establish the last of the wheats. Industry anticipates an increase in the area of autumn sown cereals this year compared to last, given the challenging spring barley crop harvested . Crop establishment progress generally has been good throughout September and October although regional reports in this edition highlight that it's not been all plain sailing, particularly in the drier parts of the east and northeast where many farms are only just emerging from water scarcity conditions. Potato ware yields appear mixed (mostly influenced by irrigation capability) and seed yields appear to have fared somewhat better. Livestock forage stocks for those in drier regions are tighter than desired for this time of year, bringing forward the need for supplementary feeding and/or earlier housing.
Regional Comments
CAITHNESS
With the winter crop having been sown in excellent conditions in the area, germination is looking extremely good with very few gaps. Green cover in the area has established very well, aided by the early harvest and good growing weather since sowing. Some concern for malting growers about future outlook. Potatoes in the area not quite ready for harvest, approximately a week away yet.
MORAY
Winter wheat and winter barley crops are looking good, are mostly clean and range from just emerged to 2-3 leaves, whilst some oilseed rape crops are up to 9 leaves and are generally disease free and looking well. Most potato crops have now been lifted, and grading lines are now in full swing aiming to meet export deadlines. Carrot crops are in the process of being strawed down. A growing area of cover crops are now becoming more noticeable across the county. Forage crops are looking leafy and seem to have good bulk, just as well as grass supply runs out.
INVERNESS
Over the past two weeks, conditions have been variable, with heavy rainfall in the latter part of the period and occasional hints of frost on higher ground. Daytime temperatures have ranged between 13 and 19°C. A storm is forecast for the coming weekend; however, with winter crops only recently established, they are expected to withstand the conditions. Winter oilseed rape is showing good leaf development and remains healthy, with no signs of disease detected. Similarly, winter wheat is establishing well, presenting an even, clean cover.
No presence of disease either. The combination of consistent rainfall and moderate temperatures has supported crop growth to date. Looking ahead, the forecast indicates heavy rain at the start of the week, followed by predominantly cloudy conditions. Temperatures are expected to remain steady, ranging from 12–18°C, similar to the previous fortnight.
ABERDEENSHIRE
Growers have been busy sowing winter cereals, taking advantage of the good conditions, with some finished sowing winter wheat as well. The warm soils and showery weather has provided ideal conditions for establishment, with early sown crops now emerging. Rape crops are now well established and although there have been some small incidences of flea beetle and slug attack, growers are generally reporting that crops seem to have avoided these issues this year. Tattie harvesting is still underway, and apart from the odd stormy day good progress is being made. Livestock farmers are all highlighting the lack of grass now and many are feeding cows outside to supplement them, but concerns are growing about supplies for the rest of the winter due to feeding starting about a month earlier than usual. Some finishers have now taken all their stock inside.
BANFF & BUCHAN
Storm Amy has been and gone and left her mark reminding us all that we are well and truly into autumn. The cries for rain have been more than met over the last few days with the soil turning from a thirsty, dry light brown to a more normal, wet dark brown. Sowing is still ongoing, with wheat being sown after grassland and potatoes. Winter oilseed rapes have responded to the recent rains and are making progress again, after seemingly running out of steam due to lack of moisture. The rain has been too late for some crops with some growers deciding to plough up areas where oilseed rape failed to emerge. Weed control from pre-emergence herbicides has been disappointing, not surprising considering the dry soils. Winter barleys and wheats are briaring and are growing well. Slug damage is minimal although again time will tell if pre-emergence sprays are successful, however the rain may have come just in time. Elsewhere potato harvest continues, with the rain being much welcomed to help reduce harvest damage. 2026 is not far away with grain markets and EFA changes seeing more growers look at different options in term of EFA and cropping plans.
FIFE
An unsettled week slowed the progress of autumn cereal establishment, but potato and vegetable harvest continued at pace. The damper soil meaning less damage to potatoes on harvester webs. WOSR crops are growing strongly, some volunteer cereal control has been applied but without any insecticide this year as little sign of flea beetle or stem weevil. Some winter barleys had an aphicide applied, mainly on farms that were affected by BYDV last year and colonies of aphids could be found on the newly germinated leaves.Winter wheat crops are ranging from rowed up with second leaf peaking down to still in the bag waiting for the last of the potato crop to be harvested. Talk on farm is mainly about maximising the amount of ground in alternative crops to spring barley in 2026 and ways to maintain a viable rotation.
STIRLINGSHIRE
In the past fortnight, Stirling’s winter crops have held up well despite persistent wet weather and residual effects from Storm Amy. Most WOSR stands are now advancing to around GS1.9–2.1, with earlier sown fields pushing toward GS2.2. some light leaf spot spraying has been going on. Winter wheat is generally at GS13, with no major disease issues, though a little aphid activity has been found and winter barley and oats sowing are now effectively finished with crops at emergence. Early weed control has proceeded where soils have allowed; some patches remain to be sprayed pending better conditions. Overall, the crops are showing satisfactory establishment. Housing stock is looking likely in next week or so given grass quality and growth has slowed down with the fall in soil temperatures and daylight hours.
LOTHIANS
An unsettled start to the month with intermittent localised showers. Anywhere between 10mm and 38 mm of rain falling over the last 8 days, with the higher amounts to the west. Cereal crops continue to emerge evenly in moist soils and either side of Storm Amie the weather has been conducive to applying autumn herbicides in good time. Potatoes continue to be lifted clean of soil and the weather forecast looks fairly settled into mid-October to continue drilling any remaining wheats yet to go in. Oilseed rape looks in good condition and a promising start for the new crop.
BORDERS
Many growers have finished sowing and are moving on to applying herbicide pre and post emergence. Storm Amie briefly brought a halt to autumn sowing, but progress and seedbeds continue to be good with 2nd wheat and wheat after potatoes still going in the ground. The timing of sowing is determining current growth stages with oilseed rape crops from 3 to 7 rough leaves and emerged cereals from seedling to early tillering. Sown crops are currently free from disease, however rhynchosporium and net blotch can be easily found in volunteer barley.
LANARKSHIRE
The weather has turned distinctively autumnal over the past fortnight in Lanarkshire, with more wet weather and cooler temperatures. Harvest has been finished with the last few crops combined at the tail end of the last good weather spell. A couple of dairy farms also took a fifth cut of silage in the last few days of September. Drills had been spotted moving onto winter barley and winter wheat with many taking advantage of the good weather following an early harvest. There are still a few that had decided to hold off for a more traditional sowing date. Cover crops, including those used for EFA purposes have also been sown and are growing well.
Posted by SRUC on 14/10/2025
