Farmer Focus: A few April showers would be welcome for crops

Spring has well and truly arrived, almost in the blink of an eye.

After a very long stretch of wet weather, it has suddenly turned dry, perhaps a little too dry.

I can’t help but feel a growing concern that we may be heading too far the other way now.

See also: Farmer Focus: Diesel costs pinch as spring field work begins

About the author

Billy Lewis

Billy Lewis farms 140ha in North Herefordshire in partnership with his parents. They keep Hereford cattle, sheep and grow combinable crops. He also contract farms an additional 110ha. Cropping includes wheat, oats and spring beans.

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Maybe it’s just lingering memories from the drought of 2025, but a steady drop of rain here certainly wouldn’t go amiss.

Fertiliser applied 10 days ago is still sitting on the surface, and the soil is drying out very quickly. No doubt some warm April showers will come along soon to put my mind at ease.

That said, things are looking good. It’s been quite a few years since crops have looked this promising.

If we’re lucky enough to have some normal weather over the next couple of months, there’s reason to feel optimistic about potential yields.

We’re all up to date with fertiliser and spray applications, and the spring beans are beginning to emerge after being drilled into lovely conditions.

Sadly, we were forced to go on with T0s, after quite a feisty outbreak of rust in our Typhoon winter wheat.

Triticale has received a comprehensive list of fungicides and plant growth regulators, after rampant overwinter growth.

Now it’s had some attention, it is looking fantastic. It’s a shame to reach for the chemicals so early, but you have to farm what’s in front of you.

We had a close call earlier today, with a machine very nearly going up in flames.

Upon noticing the smoke and then a small burst of flames, we managed to quickly get it under control with a fire extinguisher.

Hopefully, the damage is limited. We shall find out tomorrow once we investigate it properly.

With busier times approaching, let this be a reminder to keep fire extinguishers close at hand wherever there’s even the slightest risk of a fire.

The difference between a near miss and a serious incident comes down to seconds.