Crops showed unfavorable condition during this reporting period. Summer crops have been harvested, while winter wheat and barley started to be sown in October. According to the crop condition graph, NDVI values were below average from April to early July. Agro-climatic indicators show that rainfall was below average (RAIN, -10%), radiation and biomass were above average (RADPAR, +2%; BIOMSS, +2%) and temperature close to average. The NDVI departure cluster profiles indicate above average values in 39.8% of arable land including East Anglia (Suffolk and Norfolk), South-east (Kent and Sussex), West (Gloucester, Oxford) and East Scotland (Moray, Banff and Aberdeen). The national VCIx (0.97) was normal and the CALF is unchanged compared to its five-year average.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, three sub-national regions can be distinguished: Central sparse crop region, Northern barley region, and Southern mixed wheat and barley region . All three sub-regions characterized by unchanged fractions of arable land (CALF) compared to 5 years average.

The Central sparse crop region is one of the country's major agricultural regions in terms of crop production. Crop condition was below the five-year average according to NDVI development graph in May to June. Agroclimatic conditions including rainfall was below average (RAIN -12%) with close to average temperature and radiation (TEMP +0.1°C, RADPAR +2%). Biomass was about average (BIOMSS, +1%). The VCIx was at 1.00.

In the Northern barley region NDVI was below average from April to late May and above the  five-year maximum in June and July. RADPAR (+1%) and TEMP (+0.2°C) were close to average BIOMSS increased 2% in spite of the 16% drop of RAIN compared to average. The national VCIx with 0.98.

In the Southern mixed wheat and barley zone, NDVI was below average according to the crop condition graph. All indicators were close to average: RAIN  -3%), RADPAR +3%, TEMP -0.2°C and biomass is up  1%. The region had above average VCIx (0.97).

United Kingdom crop condition, April ‐July 2019 

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI   (c) Maximum VCI 

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA  (e) NDVI profiles 

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Sparse crop area of N England, Wales and N. Ireland (left) and Northern  Barley region (right)) 

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Southern mixed wheat and Barley region) 

United Kingdom’s agroclimatic indicators by sub‐national regions, current season's values and  departure from 15YA, April ‐July 2019

United Kingdom’s agronomic indicators by sub‐national regions, current season's values and  departure from 5YA, April ‐July 2019