ARABLE farmers who feared their crops would be washed away by continual downpours this time last year are now hoping for rain.

The continued dry weather could put crops at risk, say North Yorkshire farmers. But just a drop of rain in coming weeks could set the region up for a bumper harvest.

"The crops just need a drink at the moment because there is no moisture in the soil," said Mike Blacker, a contract arable farmer from Newton-on-Ouse, near York.

"It's not exactly panic stations yet, but if the dry continues it could prove a problem.

"All we need is a downpour and that could put enough water in the ground for a bumper harvest later on in the year."

The dry weather is in stark contrast to that of Spring 2001, when farmers were unable to get on to waterlogged land and had to watch many crops rot.

The combination of dry weather and cold nights is not good news for germinating crops like sugar beet and cereal crops.

York NFU spokesman Rob Simpson said many arable farmers were now hoping for a wet spell to put an end to their fears.

"We have had a very early Spring and a long dry spell which may lead to a delay in the germination process," he said.

"It has been very dry at the moment, it's been a month since it last rained in this region," he said.

"The crops are not in danger of dying, they will just sit there until they have enough moisture.

"One problem though is that while they remain seeds there is a greater chance of them being eaten by mice."

Self-employed meteorologist Paul Hignett, from Pickering, said the dry spell is set to continue - though there may be showers next week.

There was some good news for farmers, however, when livestock auctions got under way again in York.

Butchers flocked to York Livestock Centre, in Murton, for the return of the regular fat stock auctions.

Strict bio-security measures were still in place. Protective clothing and disinfectant may have restricted traders, but those who turned out were just glad the meat business was back.

Auction spokeswoman, Juliet Stephenson, said: "This is the first fat stock market after foot and mouth. Fat stock are animals that are sold to butchers for meat

"We are still dealing with restrictions and that will be the case for the forseeable future.

"But it is business as usual as much as it can be. Prices are not brilliant and we can't get the stock that we want, but it is nice to be getting back into it."

Updated: 12:16 Tuesday, April 23, 2002