Spring beans are yielding reasonably well in Kent, but winter beans were disappointing, according to Charles Roberts at GH Grain.

“Farmers are just getting into spring beans and linseed, and the spring beans look as though they’re yielding quite well. Quality is better than last year, too.”

Winter beans had been pretty disappointing, but most of the spring crops had done fairly well, with the exception of spring wheat and peas, said Mr Roberts.

“Most of the cereals are pretty wrapped up now, I think wheat yields are 10-20% down, but some farms are 30% below expectations.”

About two thirds of the milling wheat would find a milling home, but low bushel weights had been a persistent problem, he added.

“We’ve got quite a lot of Gallant at 65kg/hl, which might be difficult to find a home for, but Solstice has done quite well.

“Some of the mills are taking down to 72kg/hl, and one or two are talking about down to 70kg/hl.

“We’re just waiting to see what to do with the lower bushel weight feed wheat – in previous years when it’s been a problem we’ve started exporting low bushel weight cargoes,” he said.

“But we’re still in the process of sampling everything on farm. Once we know what we’re dealing with we can figure out what to do with it.”

Hagbergs and mycotoxins had not presented a problem in the area, said Mr Roberts. “But I know merchants are finding a few problems in other parts of the country.”

Spring barley yields had been slightly above average, and quality was good, with low nitrogen levels and screenings, he added.