What a contrast from last spring. Of course, ironically we are now getting desperate for rain, after one of our wettest winters on record.

It’s a fact the weather is definitely more “lumpy”. It is either too wet or too dry. Average seems to be a thing of the past.

Spring crops look well despite the dry period. I said years ago that cover crops don’t work on heavy land, but I’m now of the view if managed correctly they work well.

See also: Farmer Focus: Summer gloom with harvest washout and Trump tariffs

About the author

Keith Challen

Arable Farmer Focus writer

Keith Challen manages 1,200ha of heavy clay soils in the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire, for Belvoir Farming Company. Cropping includes wheat, oilseed rape and elderflowers. The farm is also home to the Belvoir Fruit Farms drinks business.

Read more articles by Keith Challen

Our poorest field of spring oats didn’t follow a winter cover crop and the soil is definitely less well structured and lacking tilth.

Early drilled first wheats have quite high levels of gout fly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such high levels.

Coupled with the lack of moisture the main tillers in the worst affected plants are bolting with the flag leaf visible, while secondary tillers without gout fly are miles behind.

The elderflower crop really didn’t enjoy all those frosty nights in March.

Early flowers are burnt and drought is likely to hold back any compensatory growth. I’m not currently expecting a bumper harvest.

I know we’ve got a few weeks to go, but with no rain on the forecast it is not looking good.

We are going into Easter up to date with spraying and fertiliser applications, which is always a good feeling.

Time off for all and a chance to recharge the batteries and gain some of those all-too-important brownie points at home.

Defra continues to be a constant source of frustration.

I received an email detailing Sustainable Farming Incentive payment delays due to changes to SAM3, putting further pressure on an already tight cashflow.

It just feels like a stalling ploy to withhold money. Either that or it’s just incompetence.

Finally, I hope everyone had a Happy Easter and spent time with family and loved ones.

It’s important not to worry too much about the state of the industry because the government certainly won’t be worrying.