Weather: A weather advisory and heat wave conditions is bringing in winter barley crops quicker than many would like.

Moisture contents will drop dramatically in this weather.

Crops turned rapidly throughout the week in the very high temperatures and there was somewhat of a rush out with combines as crops turned. Earlier in the week, some were slightly early with moistures over 20%, but as hot weather continued, low moisture contents were quickly the issue.

Stubble cultivation: Stubble cultivation rules are no more. They were removed from the latest nitrates directive for this year. As a result, after harvest there is no requirement to cultivate stubbles. You don’t have to think about 10-day or two-week deadlines to cultivate stubbles. You don’t need to rise dust and wear mettle on hard ground. You can leave a habitat for the birds and avoid unnecessary pressure at an already busy time of the year. Of course, you should cultivate stubbles where needed. You may need to establish stale seedbeds for weed control.

Oilseed rape: Some oilseed rape crops have been desiccated. More are at that timing and turning quickly. Remember you cannot desiccate oilseed rape crops or any crops unless there is a grass weed problem. You cannot desiccate any food-grade crops. You should pick about 20 pods and examine them for colour change. If the seeds are changing colour in 75% of the pods then you can desiccate the crop. Crops can be cut in 14-21 days. Some growers will apply a pod sticker, but most varieties now have good pod shatter resistance.

Cover crops: The Farming for Water programme has sent emails to farmers informing them that if they were accepted into the catch crop measure previously then they are in the scheme this year.

Check what acres you entered into measures 6A and 6B which are catch crops before winter crops and over-winter catch crops.

You will need to declare catch crop area on the online portal which opens on 1 August 2026. For catch crops planted before winter crops you need to sow by 1 August and declare the area by 8 September and for over winter crops you need to sow by 1 September and declare by 1 October.

Safety: There is a weather advisory in place for heat wave conditions. At harvest time this becomes very serious as fire is a risk. Keep machinery clean and make sure nothing is overheating. Have fire extinguishers in machines and tractors.

Keep an eye on temperature gauges and in very hot conditions consider having water nearby in a slurry spreader.