English farmers had a good wheat harvest despite being hampered by wet weather late on, reveal yield estimates published by the NFU.

Yields averaged 8.3t/ha – up from 7.9t/ha in 2005, according to figures based on the NFU’s Arable Crops Survey and Defra area estimates. This was largely due to good planting conditions last autumn and favourable overall harvest conditions.

But Defra area estimates show plantings down by 2.9%, thereby largely offsetting the impact of better yields. Total tonnage for England is estimated at 14.1m tonnes, only marginally up from 13.9m tonnes last year.

NFU combinable crops board chairman Arthur Hill said higher prices reflected good domestic and overseas demand for English wheat. “Farmers have worked incredibly hard this year to ensure a successful harvest and wheat quality is very good.”

Early indications of English barley production suggest a significant decline in output because the planted area, particularly of spring barley, has declined while yields remain unchanged on last year.

The NFU’s full UK annual harvest survey will be released next month.