Wet weather is still delaying progress, with reports of sprouting grains fuelling concerns that over-ripe crops are losing quality.

Progress in the next week or two will be critical in avoiding costly declines in grain quality.

North

In the North, wheat harvest has ground to a halt for Richard Wilkinson at Corpselanding Holme Farm, Hutton Cranswick, Yorkshire.

See also: Video: Harvest 2015 filmed from the skies

“I am hoping to start this weekend (29 August) with 17ha of Revelation and 8ha of Kielder to cut,” he says.

“It looks quite promising and a few farmers in the area have reported 12.3t/ha.” Cassia winter barley produced a pleasing 10.12t/ha.

Scotland

Rain has also delayed harvest in Scotland, with farm manager Sandy Norrie still to cut winter barley and oilseed rape at AJ Duncan Farms’ Muirden Farm, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.

“It is better today, but the weather has been frustrating; each time it dries off we get a shower.”

Mr Norrie has cut 1,130ha of winter barley, which has averaged 10.4t/ha. “I am very pleased with the yields. Meridian yielded an average of 11.1t/ha, with some reaching 13t/ha, and Tower averaged 11.4t/ha,” he says.

Mentor oilseed rape averaged a very pleasing 3.18t/ha, and Anastasia yielded up to 5.35t/ha, which Mr Norrie was pleasantly surprised with.

“I am hoping to start on wheat next week, which has the potential to yield well if it gets the weather.”

South West

In the South West, harvest has been on hold for the past 10 days, according to Ian Eastwood, marketing manager at West Country Grain.

“There had been some smashing yields and great quality crops coming in, but the weather has completely changed the state of the ground.”

Some crops are now suffering from sprouting grains and discolouration, but a lot of the wheat should have held on to its quality as it was not quite fit when the rain started, says Mr Eastwood. “There is a good deal still in the field, so there is a lot riding on the next week or two.”

In Gloucestershire, Chris Padfield managed to get most of his crops harvested at The Hawthorns, Staunton, before the rain stopped play last week. “There were several days with nearly an inch of rain, but fortunately we only have 32ha of wheat left to cut.”

Mr Padfield grew mainly Dickens, with some Diego, which averaged around 9t/ha. “Most years I would be delighted with it, but after hearing of other high yields I am just quietly pleased,” he says.

Incentive and PR46W21 oilseed rape averaged 3.7t/ha, which was disappointing, but overall Mr Padfield’s harvest has been reassuringly average. “My only concern now is that oilseed rape drilling has been delayed and we have passed the optimum drilling date.”

Midlands

In Cambridgeshire, harvest was going very slowly, according to John Dawson, farm trader at Dalmark Grain, Peterborough.

“There are pockets around with well over 60% left to cut, with growers in the East Midlands only 20% to 30% through harvest.”

There are concerns that quality will be lost if the rains continue, with several farmers worried about seed crops. “The quality up until now has been exceptional with very good bushel weights, but where there have been high yields, proteins have been diluted,” says Mr Dawson.

South

In Berkshire, Stephen Whitby finished harvest 10 days ago (18 August) at Rowley Farm, Wexham. “We made an early start and it has benefited us, but there are pockets in the area that are still not ready.”

Milling wheat on good land yielded well, averaging 10t/ha, with the lighter land achieving 7t/ha. Almost all of the Skyfall, Gallant and Crusoe came in dry with high proteins, very high Hagburgs and bushel weights of 75-82kg/hl.

“It has yielded better than I expected as eight weeks ago I was very nervous during the heatwave,” says Mr Whitby.

“Maize is still two to three weeks away, but I think yields will be down so my expectations are not high.”