Farmer Focus: Wheat harvest a month earlier than usual

I think I may have been a little too optimistic in my previous article when I said the rain would do a world of good and that the spring crops were looking particularly promising.

Five weeks of relentless heat have completely dried out the ground and put the crops under significant stress.

We started combining our winter wheat on 13 July, about four weeks earlier than normal and even a few days ahead of last year.

See also: Harvest 2026: Light land crops struggle and some OSR wins

About the author

Robin Aird

Arable Farmer Focus writer Robin Aird manages 1,500ha on the north Wiltshire and Gloucestershire border, with a further 160ha on a contract farming agreement. Soils vary from gravel to clay with the majority silty clay loams. The diverse estate has Residential, commercial and events enterprises. He is Basis qualified and advises on other farming businesses.

Contact:

Email: robin.aird@charltonpark.estate

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Yields from the Extase have been better than expected, and I think we will achieve our budgeted yield, which, given the weather we’ve experienced, would be an excellent result.

Back in April, the crop had so much potential that we thought record yields were within reach, but that’s the reality of farming – the weather always has the final say.

We will shortly move into the Cheer, which is on lighter land. Unfortunately, I expect to see a significant drop in yield, which will be disappointing.

The spring wheat that also looked so full of promise earlier in the season is now only about 10 days away from harvest.

The first heatwave arrived during flowering, costing us a considerable number of grain sites.

To make matters worse, the fungicide application made after the rain, while conditions were cool, completely scorched the flag leaf.

I suspect the tebuconazole was taken up far too quickly. As things stand, this crop has virtually no chance of reaching budget, which is particularly frustrating.

The maize, despite being a tropical crop, has raced through its growth stages in the heat. At this rate, I expect we will once again be foraging it in August.

The prolonged hot, dry conditions have also brought a very real fire risk. As a result, we have effectively created our own on-farm fire service.

We have a cultivator attached to a tractor ready to create fire breaks at a moment’s notice, a slurry tanker full of water standing by in the field, and a pickup fitted with an IBC tank, pump, hose and firefighter’s nozzle ready to respond if needed.

I sincerely hope that, despite all the preparation and investment, none of it will be required.