January is typically a time of renewed optimism and hope for the coming year but it is becoming increasingly hard to ‘keep the faith’ as Bon Jovi would say, in the light of data that (unsurprisingly) shows that 2024 was the UK’s third worst harvest in the last 40 years.
The reasons for this come as no surprise; the wet winter that again broke records, delayed and disrupted farmers cropping plans, resulting is late planting, and poor establishment. To date, 2025’s weather has not given many areas an easy start to the year with excessive rainfall and snow.
So, what can farmers and growers do for the 2025 season? Obviously controlling the weather isn’t an option, but being ready to take every break the weather gives as well as having a flexible approach and plans can provide resilience in rotations.
Planting post waterlogging
Fields that have been waterlogged prior to planting are likely to have little or no beneficial microbial life and a build-up of toxins from decaying organic matter. The most mobile nutrients in soils are also likely to have been washed away. Therefore, previous soil analysis may no longer be accurate and continuing to follow historic fertiliser and nutrient plans is a false economy, as the starting point has changed. While re-testing may seem like additional work, it enables fertiliser and nutrient plans to based on ‘what is’ rather than ‘what was’ in terms of the nutrient availability.
The importance of soil microbes is well-documented. They are one of the greatest influencers of nutrient availability and soil health because they help bring insoluble compounds, such as phosphates, into the soil solution. Rebuilding colonies after excessive precipitation is vital for soil health as well as the establishment and yield of the next crop.
The best formulation to consider using are combinations of native UK microbial species because they are adapted to the varied soil and environmental conditions of the UK. Additionally, these formulations should contain mixtures of many synergistic and beneficial species as each will flourish in different conditions and support the beneficial effects of others. Finally, this should also contain a well-researched food source and other biostimulants to provide the best growing environment for your crop.
These microbial formulations can be added to the soil at planting to aid microbial repopulation as well as supporting early root development, fortifying early establishment and helping the soil’s long-term recovery.
Cost of soil compaction
The reality is that rushed cultivations on wet or waterlogged land can significantly harm your yields: research demonstrates that potato yields can be reduced by 10-12 tonnes per hectare due to moderate soil compaction alone.
A quick refresher: The three main impacts of soil compaction are:
• Soil pans
• Inhibited root development
• Increased disease risks
Soil pans – structural damage of the lower layers of the soil caused by cultivating land when it’s too wet, resulting in a dense layer of soil, largely impervious to water, reducing drainage and increasing the probability of waterlogging.
Inhibited root development – most crops have a resistance level in terms of the soil strength they can push roots into, and they will stop rooting unless they can find a crack or a worm tunnel to go down. The resulting shallow root systems leave crops at risk of drought during dry spells and reduced drainage, which increases the potential for flooding or crops being washed away during heavy rains.
Increased risk of diseases – wet compacted soil conditions provide the perfect environment for soil-borne disease caused by bacteria and ‘zoospores’, Powdery Scab in potatoes, Crown Rot and Cavity Spot in root crops as well as Take-all and Eyespot in cereals.
Promoting establishment after late planting
Efforts to avoid compaction may lead to planting later than ‘normal’; while not ideal, it need not be detrimental to crop yields.
Microbial mixes not only contribute to the re-colonisation of the soil’s natural fauna, they also provide a support medium for vigorous germination and rooting, helping crops put down strong roots and make the most of the nutrients available.
Once a crop is established, the continued use of biostimulants to maintain strong, healthy root systems will support the crop’s continued development to tuber set and bulking, reducing yield loss due to late planting. By taking this proactive approach, growers can minimise the impact of adverse weather and maximise the crop’s potential.