This report covers the vegetative growth period of winter wheat, winter barley and rapeseed. According to the crop condition development graph, NDVI values were close to average from January to April. Rainfall (RAIN -21%) was significantly below average, temperatures and radiation were above average (TEMP +0.8°C; RADPAR +7%). The combined impact of these agroclimatic factors resulted in decreased biomass (BIOMSS -2%). The seasonal RAIN profile shows that rainfall was fluctuating in the monitoring period. The temperature was above or close to average for most parts of the period.

The national average VCIx was 0.94. CALF (99%) was unchanged compared to its five-year average. The NDVI departure cluster profiles indicate that: (1) most of arable land in the United Kingdom experienced average crop conditions.  (2) 6.2% of arable land experienced a marked drop of crop conditions in early-February, mainly in Wales. Most likely, the large drop in NDVI can be attributed to cloud cover in the satellite images or snow. Altogether, the conditions for wheat in the UK are assessed to be slightly below average, mainly due to a rainfall deficit.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, three sub-national regions can be distinguished: 1) Central sparse crop region, 2) Northern barley region, and 3) Southern mixed wheat and barley region. The fractions of cropped arable land (CALF) in all subregions are average compared to the 5-year average.

The Northern barley region experienced below-average rainfall (RAIN -15%), while temperature and radiation were significantly above average (TEMP +0.8°C; RADPAR +6%). Biomass was above average (BIOMSS +5%). NDVI was close to average according to the crop condition graph. The VCIx was 0.94. Altogether, the output of wheat is expected to be near average. 

The Central sparse crop region is one of the major agricultural regions in terms of crop production. 

The rainfall was below average (RAIN -22%), while temperature and radiation were significantly above average (TEMP +0.8°C, RADPAR, +8%). This resulted in an average estimate for biomass（BIOMSS +1%). NDVI values were close to average, except for January. The VCIx was at 0.95. Altogether, the conditions for wheat are expected to be near average. 

Southern mixed wheat and barley zone experienced a severe rainfall deficit (RAIN -27%). Temperature and radiation (TEMP +0.8°C; RADPAR +7%) were similar to the Central sparse crop region. The rainfall defict resulted in biomass estimates that were below average (BIOMSS -8%). NDVI was near average according to the crop condition graph in this reporting period. The VCIx was 0.94. Altogether, the output of wheat is expected to be near average. 

Figure 3.17 United Kingdom’s crop condition, January - April 2022

(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) Time series rainfall profile (left) and temperature profile (right) 

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Northern Barley region (left) and Central sparse crop region (right))

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Southern mixed wheat and Barley zone)

Table 3.25 United Kingdom's agro-climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, January - April 2022

Table 3.26 United Kingdom's  agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departures from 5YA, January - April 2022