Last updated 08:45, Friday, 02 May 2008

GOLDEN fields of oilseed rape began flowering across Cumbria this week, heralding the late arrival of spring.

Here comes the sun: The arrival of spring is finally heralded by oilseed rape coming into bloom in the county

The crop is around 10 days behind last year thanks to April’s frost and snow.

A blue tinge of cold stress, visible on cereals earlier this month, has disappeared and the crops are starting to make up for lost time, according to Wigton-based agricultural consultant, David Wilde.

Farmers have turned out their dairy cows around two weeks late because of the sluggish grass growth. But grass has been slow to recover and farmers could be forced to resume winter feeding because it is likely to be low in protein and sugar.

Mr Wilde added: “I was talking to a man who turned his cows out on April 4 last year.

“This year it was April 21, a good two weeks later.

“We will probably see some reduction in silage yields but cereals should catch up as they have another three months before harvest.

“I think silaging will be about a week late for some people.”