UK drought forces changes in crop drilling and silage management

Dry weather conditions in the United Kingdom are forcing agricultural producers to adjust planting and harvesting strategies. Growers are delaying the drilling of oilseed rape (OSR) due to hard ground and the risk of uneven emergence, which could leave crops vulnerable to weeds and cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB). To mitigate risks, some experts suggest splitting acreage between OSR and winter linseed, which can be sown later in the autumn.

Simultaneously, drought is impacting silage production. Farmers are facing a dilemma between waiting for more bulk or cutting early to preserve feed quality. Drought-stressed grass often results in higher dry matter but reduced digestibility. Experts recommend prioritizing feed value by cutting earlier to capture energy-rich leaves, particularly for priority livestock like milking cows, rather than waiting for higher yields that may suffer from poor nutritional content.