The Agricultural and Horticultural and Development Board (AHDB) has confirmed a general decline in the condition of combinable crops in the UK.
This trend over the month of May has been, very much, weather-driven, with record-breaking temperatures over recent weeks impacting very significantly on soil moisture levels.
Recent rains have helped to reverse this situation somewhat.
However, the weather over the coming weeks will be the real determinant of the grain yields secured during Harvest 2026.
Winter wheat
According to AHDB, 64% of winter wheat crops across the UK are in a good or excellent condition.
This is down from the 75% rated good or excellent at the end of April and 82% at the end of March, showing the impact of the dry weather this spring.
The latest rating is still well above both this time last year (36%) and May 2024 (55%).
Winter barley
Across the UK, 62% of the winter barley crop is rated as in good or excellent condition.
This is down from 70% a month ago and 85% at the end of March.
It is still above the 48% of winter barley with this rating a year ago, but is now in line with the 62% reported in late May 2024.
Winter oats
71% of the UK winter oat crop is rated as good-to-excellent, down from 81% in late April but still well above the 52% at this point a year ago.
Winter oilseed rape
Nationwide, 78% of winter oilseed rape crops are in good or excellent condition.
This is down slightly from the 84% reported last month but is still notably above last year, when 52% of winter oilseed rape was in good-to-excellent condition.
Spring wheat
Just 35% of spring wheat crops are in good or excellent condition nationwide, notably below the 50% at this time last year.
Spring barley
Across the UK, 57% of spring barley crops are in good or excellent condition.
This is slightly above last May (54%) and May 2024 (55%), but it is well below the 73% in late May 2023.
In Scotland, spring barley is performing well due to good establishment.
Spring oats
55% of spring oats nationwide are in good or excellent condition as of late May.
This is above the 42% of spring oats in good to excellent condition reported a year ago, but below the 73% at this stage in 2024.