Progress ahead of average – except in Scotland
Wheat harvest is ahead of the five-year average, with 90% of the UK area now cut, according to a report by the HGCA.
Yields remained slightly below average, at 7.5-7.7t/ha (3-3.1t/acre), and Hagbergs were starting to drop due to the wet weather, averaging 240 in the week to Tuesday (6 September).
“Most quality wheats were harvested earlier in the season, the majority of the crops left to harvest are feed varieties,” said the report.
“Specific weights have been maintained at an average of 76-78 kg/hl and protein levels are averaging 12.4-12.8%.”
Yields varied widely, from 2t to 13t/ha (0.8-5.3t/acre). “Typically the heavier soils have yielded slightly above the field average, while the lighter soils have yielded below the field average.
“The wide variation in yields means there is some uncertainty in the average yield estimate.”
Spring barley harvest was 95% complete in England and Wales, but was falling behind in Scotland, with just 45% cut.
“Yields have exceeded expectations, with the current national yield estimated to be close to the five-year average at 5.3t/ha (2.1t/acre).
“Specific weights are good, but malting grain nitrogen is variable, and there are some reports of sprouting where harvest is delayed in northern regions.”
Farmers had cut about three quarters of the oat crop, with yields pegged at 5.7t/ha (2.3t/acre) and 50-52kg/hl.
So far the spring oilseed rape harvest was just 35% complete, it added.
“Yields currently range from 1.5-3t/ha (0.6-1.2t/acre) and are averaging 2.2-2.3t/ha (0.9t/acre).”
