Preparing for winter – how to build arable crop resilience

With climate change driving unpredictable weather patterns, UK arable farmers are facing increasing challenges to protect their crops through winter.

The Met Office’s Climate Projections suggest extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, frosts and unexpected temperature fluctuations, are likely to become increasingly frequent.¹ Heavy rainfall can lead to waterlogged soils, which impede root growth and increase the risk of disease, while sudden temperature changes can cause frost damage – so boosting crop resilience is essential to help protect potential yields.

This blog explores various strategies arable farmers can employ to enhance their crop resilience ahead of winter.

Soil health management

Soil health forms the foundation of crop resilience by promoting robust root systems, improving water retention, and supporting resistance to pests and disease. Key practices for managing and improving soil health include:

• Cover cropping:

Planting cover crops such as clover, vetch, or rye during the off-season helps prevent soil erosion, enhances soil structure, and increases organic matter. Cover crops also suppress weeds and improve nitrogen fixation, providing natural nutrition for subsequent crops.

• Reduced tillage:

Minimising soil disturbance through reduced or no-tillage practices helps maintain soil structure and microbial activity. It also reduces the risk of soil erosion and compaction, both of which can be especially detrimental during the winter months.

• Organic applications:

Applying organic matter, like compost or well-rotted manure, can improve soil fertility and structure. These applications increase the soil’s water-holding capacity, making crops more resilient to unpredictable conditions and reducing nutrient leaching during heavy rainfall.

Crop selection – choosing winter-resilient varieties

Selecting appropriate winter crop varieties is essential to ensure crops can withstand specific environmental stresses, such as cold temperatures, frost, and excess moisture. For example, new winter barley varieties have been developed with improved tolerance to excess moisture, addressing challenges posed by recent wet winters in the UK.In regions prone to waterlogging, these varieties’ improved drainage and moisture-resistant root systems help crops thrive despite prolonged exposure to saturated soils. Genetic traits that bring winter hardiness in plants also include the ability to accumulate protective proteins and sugars in their tissues, which act as antifreeze agents, and mechanisms to maintain cell membrane integrity during freezing and thawing cycles. Some examples of winter wheat varieties known for their hardiness and performance in UK conditions include:

• Graham – a popular Group 4 winter wheat variety known for its excellent disease resistance and adaptability to a range of soil types. Its strong resistance to yellow rust and Septoria tritici, combined with good grain quality, makes it a reliable choice for winter resilience.
• Skyfall – a Group 1 milling wheat valued for its high-quality grain and bread-making characteristics. It is known for its good winter hardiness and resilience to frost, making it a suitable option for farmers looking for a premium variety with robust performance.
• KWS Extase – a relatively new Group 2 wheat variety that has gained popularity due to its outstanding disease resistance and high yields. It offers excellent resistance to three prevalent diseases: yellow rust, Septoria tritici, and Fusarium, which is critical for maintaining crop health through winter.

AHDB’s Recommended Lists provide further performance data for each variety, helping to identify the most suitable seed choice for winter crops.

Diverse crop rotation

Farmers can break pest and disease cycles by strategically rotating crop types, optimise nutrient use, and improve soil health.

Breaking winter pest cycles

Crops such as winter wheat, barley, and oilseed rape are vulnerable to a range of pests that can thrive in cooler, wetter conditions. But pests including aphids and slugs can overwinter in the soil or crop residues and become active again in the spring. So, rotating crops that are less attractive or non-host crops can help reduce pest populations. For example, including a leguminous cover crop, like winter vetch, can disrupt the life cycle of pests that typically attack cereals, reducing their numbers before the spring growing season.

Managing soil-borne pathogens

Soil-borne diseases such as Rhizoctonia root rot and Fusarium spp. can affect crops grown through the winter. So rotating with non-host crops can reduce the inoculum levels of these pathogens in the soil. Incorporating brassicas like mustard or oilseed radish in the rotation can have biofumigant effects, releasing natural chemicals that suppress soil-borne diseases, and provide a healthier soil environment for subsequent winter crops.

Nutrient management strategies for autumn and winter crops

Effective nutrient management is critical for ensuring autumn and winter crops develop strong root systems and have the resilience to withstand environmental stresses. Implementing precise nutrient management strategies tailored to the specific needs of autumn and winter crops can therefore help maintain soil fertility, optimise crop health, and enhance yield potential.

1. Soil testing for targeted nutrient management

Regular soil testing is the cornerstone of effective nutrient management. It provides detailed information about the nutrient status of the soil, including levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), pH, and micronutrients, all of which are essential for making informed decisions on fertiliser application. For autumn and winter crops, soil testing should ideally be conducted at the end of summer or early autumn, before drilling. Understanding nutrient availability at this time is crucial, because winter crops rely heavily on the nutrients present in the soil during the early stages of growth.

2. Slow-release fertilisers for steady nutrient supply

Applying a fertiliser with slow-release properties, such as OCI Nutramon, at planting or just before winter, provides a steady supply of nutrients. Not only does this help reduce the risk of leaching during heavy rainfall, but it also supports continuous optimal growth for crops like winter wheat and barley. These fertilisers minimise nutrient loss in sandy soils with low nutrient-holding capacity, ensuring crops have a reliable nutrient supply through winter and into early spring. Slow-release fertilisers also decrease the need for frequent applications, lowering the labour time needed and minimising soil compaction, which helps maintain soil health and structure. Read further advice on applying fertilisers to winter cereal crops

3. Monitoring and adaptive nutrient management

Continuous monitoring of crop health and soil conditions is essential for effective nutrient management. The following actions can help highlight any issues:

• Visual inspection – Regularly inspect crops for signs of nutrient deficiencies, such as yellowing leaves (indicative of nitrogen deficiency) or purpling (indicative of phosphorus deficiency). Early detection allows for timely intervention.
• Tissue testing – Analysing plant samples for nutrient content can provide precise information on the nutrient status of the crop. This is especially useful for micronutrients, which are often less available in cold soils.
• Weather considerations – Adjust nutrient management practices based on weather forecasts. For example, plan applications for milder, less windy days to ensure effective nutrient uptake.

Read more advice in our year-round guide to fertiliser management.

References

1. Met Office – UK Climate Projections – https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/approach/collaboration/ukcp/index