Accredited official statistics

Chapter 1: Key Events

Updated 20 December 2024

Applies to England

↩ Back to contents

← Preface

Overview

The period covered by these results (1 March 2023 to 29 February 2024) was the third year of the progressive reduction of the Basic Payment, which saw a 35% reduction on the first £30,000 of the payment and larger incremental deductions on the bigger payment bands (see Annex D The Path to Sustainable Farming: An Agricultural Transition Plan 2021 to 2024).

The 2023/24 survey period saw Defra begin to accept applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive. A range of other Government schemes and grants were also launched including the Water Management Grant, the second rounds of both Landscape Recovery projects and the Slurry Infrastructure Grant and an improved offer for upland farmers (which included equal Countryside Stewardship payment rates for upland and lowland farms carrying out the same actions). The Annual Health and Welfare Review, offering farmers funding for an annual visit from a vet of their choice, was also introduced in 2023.

In terms of global events, Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine continued to impact the price of some inputs, although output prices for key commodities such as milk and wheat stablished to levels close to those seen before the conflict. Closer to home, the Avian Influenza outbreak and changeable weather conditions were just two of the challenges facing farmers in England.

More details of key events that can affect farm incomes can be found in Agriculture in the UK Chapter 1: Key Events.

Weather

Autumn 2022 was warmer than average with any cold spells short lived, however there were unsettled periods in both September and October. Rainfall was above average overall (Figure 1.1), but there was considerable variation around the country. Autumn drilling generally progressed well with crops being drilled into good soil conditions. On many livestock farms, a flush of grass in the late autumn extended the grazing season, easing pressure on winter forage stocks.

Figure 1.1: Annual rainfall (mm) in England, 2014 to 2023

Source: Met Office

Figure note: The legend is presented in the same order as the bars.

The winter of 2022/23 was slightly milder and drier than average, although there were some spells of cold, settled conditions alongside milder, wetter weather. Conditions were generally sunnier than average for much of the country with England experiencing its second sunniest January on record (just behind 2022). Rainfall was close to, or slightly below, average: February rainfall was only around 20% of the average over much of central and southern England.

Overall, spring 2023 temperatures were slightly above average in many areas, mainly due to warm conditions during May (the situation was more mixed in March and April with alternating colder and milder spells). Rainfall was generally above average, particularly in early spring when the wet weather in March delayed applications of fertilisers and sprays. The wet start to spring also coincided with the lambing period with lambing rates additionally affected by the dry summer of 2022, which impacted conception. Sunshine was in relatively short supply for some areas during March, although this improved as the season progressed.

Summer 2023 was generally warm but rather wet. The majority of fine, settled weather was seen in June (provisionally the fourth sunniest June in a series since 1910). In contrast, July and August were unsettled with cool, dull and wet weather. Although rainfall patterns varied, some areas, including Dorset, Devon and parts of northern England, had more than double the average rainfall (Figure 1.1). The wet conditions resulted in a drawn out harvest, with lodged crops impeding combines. This resulted in losses, poor quality grain and high moisture levels which in turn increased crop drying costs. This was a marked contrast to the extremely dry harvest of 2022.

The autumn of 2023 started with an exceptional warm spell in the first half of September (Figure 1.2). The late-season heatwave saw temperatures reach 30°C on seven consecutive days, a September record. While the second half of the September was more unsettled, the first part of October saw a return to warmer and sunnier weather creating dry picking conditions for the cider apple harvest and aiding cultivations and drilling. However, rain later in the month added to the already saturated ground leading many herds to be housed earlier to prevent poaching and hindering the drilling of later crops. The maize, potato and sugar beet harvest were also impacted with some crops left in the ground.

Figure 1.2: Mean temperatures (°C) in England, 2014 to 2023

Source: Met Office

Figure notes:
1. For each season, solid lines represent annual averages and dashed lines represent long term averages for the period 1981 to 2010.
2. The legend is presented in the same order as the line.

Chapter 2: Key Results and Overview Across England →