ARABLE FARMERS are facing the least profitable harvest in memory as the wettest August for years combines with low prices to knock millions of pounds off the bottom line.

Latest estimates from the trade suggest that growers in the south-east have cut 60-65% of their wheats, but those north of a line from Cambs across the midlands to Birmingham have only cut up to a quarter.

Wheats taken during the relatively dry spell last weekend (Aug 21/22) have suffered and quality is likely to have deteriorated since.

Paul Ibbott, chief arable adviser at the NFU, said: “We could easily be looking at a loss of £100m (to the industry)”.

Drying costs alone could amount to £82m, assuming 8m tonnes needed drying from 18% to 14% moisture, then there were the extra costs of gathering lodged crops, said Mr Ibbott.

Affected grain would have to be sold as feed or low grade milling wheat, incurring a discount of up to £20/t, costing the industry at least £20m.

Pre-germinated malting barley, low overall cereal prices and other unavoidable costs would only add to the bill.

Grainfarmers‘ wheat director, Gary Sharkey, said milling wheat Hagbergs had fallen by over 100 points in the week to Tuesday (Aug 24).

“Over half the UK could be left with no milling wheat crop at all.”

But some wheat qualities had held up remarkably well, said Witney Grain‘s Jolyon Hobby, so farmers should test everything and segregate different grades as much as possible.

“Milling wheat premiums have gone through the roof and I suspect they will remain reasonably good until millers decide whether they can use all the lower quality wheat.”

Premiums for full specification Group 1 wheat have now reached £20-£25/t in most parts of the country, and are becoming available for a range of lower specifications.