Key facts
- The condition of combinable crops in the UK has generally declined in May.
- Dry weather and record temperatures significantly impacted soil moisture levels.
- Recent rains have provided some improvement, but future weather is critical for yields.
- Winter wheat: 64% good/excellent (down from 75% in April).
- Winter barley: 62% good/excellent (down from 70% in April).
- Winter oats: 71% good/excellent (down from 81% in April).
- Winter oilseed rape: 78% good/excellent (down from 84% in April).
- Spring wheat: 35% good/excellent (down from 50% last year).
- Spring barley: 57% good/excellent (slightly above last May, but below 2023).
- Spring oats: 55% good/excellent (above last year, but below 2024).
The Agricultural and Horticultural and Development Board (AHDB) has reported a general decline in the condition of combinable crops across the UK during May. This trend is attributed to weather-driven factors, particularly record-breaking temperatures that significantly reduced soil moisture levels. While recent rainfall has somewhat alleviated the situation, the outlook for grain yields in Harvest 2026 will largely depend on the weather in the coming weeks.
For winter wheat, 64% of crops are now rated as good or excellent, a decrease from 75% in late April and 82% in late March, reflecting the impact of spring dryness. This figure is still considerably higher than the 36% recorded last year and 55% in May 2024.
Winter barley conditions have also seen a dip, with 62% rated good-to-excellent, down from 70% a month prior and 85% in late March. This rating matches late May 2024 levels but is an improvement from 48% a year ago.
Winter oats are performing relatively well, with 71% in good-to-excellent condition, down from 81% in April but substantially better than the 52% reported last year.
Winter oilseed rape shows 78% in good or excellent condition, a slight decrease from 84% last month, yet notably higher than the 52% recorded last year.
Spring wheat conditions are less favorable, with only 35% rated good or excellent, below the 50% seen at the same time last year.
Spring barley has 57% of crops in good or excellent condition, slightly up from last May (54%) and May 2024 (55%), but down from 73% in late May 2023. Scotland's spring barley is noted to be performing well due to good establishment.
Spring oats nationwide have 55% in good or excellent condition, an improvement from 42% a year ago, but lower than the 73% recorded in 2024.