Crops in the United Kingdom showed favorable conditions during this reporting period. Summer crops have been harvested, and winter crops (wheat and barley) are at the sowing stage. The national NDVI values were below to average from August to October according to the crop condition graph. The NDVI departure cluster profiles indicate above average NDVI values in 88% of arable land (including East Midlands, East Anglia, and South East and West Midlands) while only 11.2% of arable land had below average condition, concerning especially west midland, southwest and northwest England (Cornwall, Devon, Caernarfonshire, Marioneth, east Radnorshire, and northeast Brecknockshire).

The agroclimatic indicators show that rainfall for the country was above average (RAIN +27%), with well below average radiation (RADPAR, -9%) and temperature close to average. However, with below average radiation, BIOMSS on the national scale increased only 11.6% compared to the five-year average.

The national VCIx (0.88) was satisfactory, and the cropped arable land fraction is unchanged compared to its five-year average.

Regional analysis

CropWatch has adopted three agro-ecological zones to provide a more detailed spatial analysis for the country; they include the central sparse crop region (covering northern England, Wales, and northern Ireland), the northern barley region (Scotland and northern England), and the southern mixed wheat and barley region (southern England). All three regions are characterized by unchanged fractions of arable land (CALF) compared to average.

The central sparse crop region is one of the country's major agricultural regions in terms of crop production. NDVI values were below the five-year maximum according to the region's crop condition development graph in August to October. Agroclimatic conditions include 34% above average RAIN, average TEMP, and RADPAR significantly below average at -10%. The VCIx (0.94) was well above average.

The northern barley region is one of the main barley regions in the United Kingdom. NDVI here was below average according to the crop condition graphs. Agroclimatic conditions were: RAIN +34%, slightly below average TEMP (-0.5°C), and rather poor sunshine (RADPAR -11%). The regional VCIx (0.90) was well above average.

Finally, wheat and barley are the major crops in the southern mixed wheat and barley region. The NDVI was above average from August to late September and below average until late October according to the crop condition graph for the zone. Rainfall (RAIN +12%) and sunshine (RADPAR -8%) were less abnormal than in the two other regions, and temperature was average. The region had above average VCIx (0.86), although less so than the other regions.

Figure 3.14. United Kingdom crop condition, July-October 2017 

Figure 3.14a The United Kingdom phenology of major crops

Figure 3.14b and c. The United Knigdom national level crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the July-October 2017 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum (left) and the United Kingdom maximum VCI for July-October 2017 by pixel (right)

Figure 3.14d. The United Kingdom spatial NDVI patterns up to October 2017 according to local cropping patterns and compared to the 5YA (left) and associated NDVI profiles (right)

Figure 3.14e. Central sparse crop region (The United Kingdom) crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left) and f. Northern Barley region (The United Kingdom) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.14j. Southern mixed wheat and barley region (The United Kingdom) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table 3.29. United Kingdom agroclimatic indicators by agro-ecological zone, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July-October 2017 

Table 3.30. United Kingdom, agronomic indicators by agro-ecological zone, current season's values and departure from 5YA, July-October 2017

Table 3.31. CropWatch-estimated wheat production for United Kingdom in 2017 (thousand tons)