Crop Updates: January 2025
Snow receded rapidly leaving ground wet but crops in the main in good condition.
Snow cover and temperatures below -9ºC have helped reduce slug activity and allowed some travel over fields.
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.
The adopt-a-crop monitoring programme for crops in Scotland will start up again soon for 2025 and you can view details specific to your area by searching the database here.
17 January 2025
General Comments
In general winter crops are still looking well and the cold snap just after Christmas has been generally helpful in allowing people to travel overground and in slowing down some of the slug pressure that was beginning to show up. The downside of the frost and snow is that it has made oilseed rape more palatable to pigeons. The cold snap will have helped reduce the risk of aphids, however we still have reports of mildew in winter barley in some locations and there was a report of yellow rust in Fife in December and this disease can withstand snow cover quite happily.
People are making good progress with office jobs. The rapid thaw has left some fields very wet, but in general we are less affected by waterlogging and flooding than the south.
Regional Comments
CAITHNESS
Little to no land work has been completed in the last month except for the past few days when some were able to get much out with ground conditions harder. Winter crops in the area look to have handled the cold snap well and temperatures have turned from -9ºC to 9ºC in the past 48 hours. Fodder supplies are holding up well with plentiful supplies on farm and also available locally.
INVERNESS
A cold start to 2025 has seen several inches of snow across much of the region. With temperatures struggling to rise above freezing, there has been little growth in the crops. Disease risk remains low, and there is little weed threat.
ABERDEENSHIRE
Aberdeenshire has had a blanket of snow since the 2nd of January which has created the usual extra workloads for folk – snow clearing, extra feeding to stock outside etc. making inside jobs seem far more attractive this last week. Forward planning for spring crops (purchasing seed and fertiliser) and selling stocks of grain in sheds have therefore been fairly common as everyone gets back into the swing of things after the festive period and prices offer to rise a bit. The frosty weather keeps everything clean around steadings and crops have been protected by a blanket of snow until now, but at the time of writing a big thaw is now taking place with localised flooding occurring in places. With a week of mild weather forecast, ploughing will be the order of the day (depending on how good ground conditions are) as we’re sure to get a few more frosty nights before winter is over.
BANFF & BUCHAN
The recent cold snap saw land work come to a stop again, although good progress had been made with ploughing. On the whole, crops are looking as well as could be expected with the favourable October helping keep crops growing. In a few short weeks, oilseed rape crops will begin their annual battle with pigeons, just as the crops start to take off and of course the NVZ closed period will come to an end with nitrogen fertiliser able to be applied. Winter barleys are doing very little with winter wheats slowly continuing to grow through the winter. As crops start to re-appear after their blanket of snow it is hoped there is little frost heave although the thaw means that fields are now wetter than ideal. Thoughts are turning to the year ahead, with fertiliser being ordered and cropping planned. There is more trepidation this spring than recent years, in light of falling prices and demand from buyers for the main crop locally- malting barley. With more soil analysis having been undertaken for many a year, some farmers are trying to use this information as the basis for nutrient budgeting and planning.
FORFAR
A cold snap brought winter ploughing to a standstill for a few days but did provide good conditions for getting cattle courts emptied out into fields. However, the generally mild winter has meant that crops have continued to grow slowly, and most winter crops are very well tilled and generally quite lush which has encouraged some to graze with sheep. Disease levels remain low at present but could well increase quickly in lush crops if damper conditions come along.
PERTHSHIRE
Ground conditions have been generally good so far over the winter although there was a brief period of snow across parts of the area last week. Crops are in good condition for the time of year and disease levels remain fairly low. Winter ploughing is progressing well with many being more or less complete.
FIFE
Cold weather has moved on and mild damp weather has returned. Winter crops are looking healthy with only the odd mildew spot on lower leaves of winter barley seen. Muck has been spread on some stubbles, and these are now being ploughed down. NVZ and IPM plans are being completed and claims for PSF grants are being made.
LOTHIANS
Typically, 27-31 mm rainfall across East Lothian over the first two weeks of January, but perhaps of greater significance has been the sub-zero temperatures which have only this week abated. Winter ploughing has continued relatively unhindered, however. Winter cereals and oilseed rape appear unencumbered by the cold. Some thinner wheat crops on heavier ground that were more predisposed to slug grazing have seen light pressure but in the main are overwintering well. Little disease to report and generally autumn herbicides were all applied in good order. Although oilseed rape stands are generally good to excellent, the cold weather has increased the pigeon grazing activity considerably, with many fields exhibiting various forms of deterrents. Good top growth made in the Autumn is affording crops a relative degree of protection from damage.
BORDERS
All crops are quietly growing. Pigeons are becoming a problem on rape. Slug activity was also noted. The warmer weather through December has bought slugs back up to the surface so important to watch, although the recent cold spell will have slowed activity down.
LANARKSHIRE
The new year has brought in a cold snowy spell across Lanarkshire over the past few weeks. This being said, winter crops seem to be holding up well, and many well underway with establishment. There is also a definite increase in winter crops planted this year when compared to last, this having much to do with the better weather conditions in the back end of 2024. Winter crops as a whole are also being described as the best they’ve been in a while, with many hopeful this will continue to be the case and the rest hoping for a kinder spring to complete the sowing of their spring crops.
Posted by SAC Consulting on 21/01/2025
