Rainfall statistics from the Met Office reveal that March 2011 was the driest on records for nearly 60 years. On average the rainfall across the UK was only 41% of the usual amount experienced in March. This dry weather is starting to cause problems for agricultural contractors, in particular those in Lincolnshire and East Anglia, were only a few millimetres of rain has been recorded.

Agricultural contractors who have been recently spraying their crops are finding that the dry conditions are making it difficult for crops to utilise the nitrogen applied. Agronomists are advising agricultural contractors that a post-emergence treatment of bentazone will be needed.

However, agricultural contractors are still being advised to continue their scheduled spring nitrogen applications. A consultant for Strutt and Parkers warns that if farmers delay their applications until some rainfall may result in reduced yields. Because crops are currently making good prices he advises to push for as higher yields as possible to maximise profits. Because the ground is currently dry it is good to travel on, plus there is a low risk of lodging, as such it would be detrimental to risk crops going hungry at this stage.

Another key issue for agricultural contractors to be aware of is that leaching is likely to be lower than previous years. Farmers are warned to use the correct soil index table. Many in the East should consider using Table A, for low rainfall conditions.

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