2024 Reflections
As 2024 draws to a close it’s worthwhile reflecting on the year that’s been, and what challenges need to be considered going into 2025. As one of my growers said at the end of last year “2023 can get in the bin!” it’s difficult to say that conditions this year have been much better, if at all.
Nick Thorp
Reading time: 6 minutes
We’ve recently been putting together some of the weather data for the year in readiness for our partners abroad, and it lays bare the issues that agriculture has faced over the last 12 months. So rather than talking about it, you can look at it and decide for yourself…
A year in review
December
148% of UK Average Rainfall.
January
Above Average Rainfall.
February
Above average rainfall, but exceptionally high totals in all regions exept North East & North West.
March
142% of the long-term average rainfall for the month.
April
England’s rainfall was 154% of the long-term average for the month.
April
England’s rainfall was 154% of the long-term average for the month.
May
The uk experienced a wet spring with a lack of sunny days, making it the wettest since 1986.
June
England’s rainfall was below normal for the time of year and was the driest June in 6 years
July
Above average rainfall but exceptionally high totals in all regions except the North East & North West
August
3rd wettest August since 1836 in western Scotland. UK overall had 110% of the long-term average rainfall.
September
The mean temperature in central England was 14.0°C, the coldest since 2020.
September
The mean temperature in central England was 14.0°C, the coldest since 2020.
October
Maximum temp was 22.5°C in London while the lowest was 5.6°C.
November
TBC
2024 weather summary
A poor year in general where many inputs were not able to be utilised by crops. Yields were down across the board with most farmers accepting that the timing of bad weather has had a major effect from establishment, soil & foliar inputs all the way through to harvest.
What Do you Think?
There are now crops in the ground and, surprisingly given the above, some of them actually look like they might be ok. It’s time to close the gate on this year and look ahead to a good spring (Yes, I’m deliberately ignoring APR & carbon tax etc.) and so all at Aiva wish you the very best for Christmas and we’ll see you in 2025
