Weathering the Storm: Key Insights from 2024's Weather

The 2024 growing season presented a series of challenges, with extreme weather testing the resilience of farmers across the UK.  

As someone deeply involved in agricultural data analysis at YAGRO, I’ve witnessed how these conditions not only disrupted operations but also created chances for adaptation. 

Chapter 6 of our Harvest 24 Review provides a detailed exploration of how weather is impacting arable farming and highlights the value of accurate data in navigating these challenges.  
 
Of course, you’re already well aware of how weather impacts your operation, but through accurate and visualised data analysis, we hope to broaden that understanding and provide actionable insights. 

Flooding’s Far-Reaching Impact 

Widespread flooding was one of the most significant challenges of 2024. Torrential rains during key drilling and growing windows left many fields waterlogged, leading to crop losses, delayed planting, and increased costs associated with re-drilling.  

Those of you farming in the most severely affected areas faced tough decisions: persevere with suboptimal conditions or re-drill, risking further financial strain. 

Our analysis shows how the cost of re-drilling could erode gross margins significantly. However, data also indicated that where re-drilling was carried out strategically - using crops better suited to late sowing - it helped mitigate losses.  

Looking into OSR (which I’ve previously discussed as a high-risk, high-reward crop) - taking the opportunity to redrill with a spring crop is likely to deliver better margins than poor performing OSR.  

However, the story is different with wheat, which still delivers a respectable gross margin even if slightly under performing compared to the costs associated with redrilling.  
 
Are you surprised by the data displayed above? What information do you use to base decisions on when to take a crop forward? 

To me, the findings underscore the importance of real-time decision-making supported by accurate data analysis.  

Residual Soil Nitrogen: A Hidden Variable 

Heavy rainfall didn’t just wash away seeds; it also leached nitrogen from soils, leaving crops with reduced nutrient availability.  

Residual soil nitrogen levels were notably lower across many regions, pushing growers to re-evaluate fertiliser strategies. While some chose to increase nitrogen applications to compensate, others reduced inputs in anticipation of diminished yield (and thus gross margin) potential. 

This variability highlights the need for farmers to monitor soil health closely and optimise fertiliser use. Matching nitrogen applications to the crop’s specific needs can make the difference between protecting margins and compounding losses.  
 
Simply closing the cheque-book in Autumn when the rain hit wasn’t necessarily the safest decision.  

Strategic Adaptation Pays Off 

What’s clear from 2024 is that adaptability remains the hallmark of successful farming.  

Farmers who had the flexibility to adjust their cropping plans mid-season, invested in resilient varieties, or incorporated innovative practices like reduced tillage and cover cropping fared better overall.  

The ability to pivot quickly and make informed decisions, supported by data, was a recurring theme in the season’s successes. 

The Power of Data in Weather Management 

As weather patterns grow increasingly unpredictable, the role of data becomes ever more critical.  

Accurate, visualised data can provide the insights needed to make proactive, rather than reactive, decisions. Whether it’s re-drilling a flooded field, adjusting nitrogen rates, or selecting a resilient crop variety, knowing your numbers is the foundation for navigating these challenges effectively. 

The full Harvest 24 Review delves deeper into these themes, providing actionable insights for arable farmers. Download your free copy today and discover how your farm can weather the storm and thrive.