SHOWERS HAVE been moving in from the west, while most of the south and east of the UK have remained dry.

With this weather pattern, farmers in the west and north are becoming increasingly frustrated, while farmers in dry parts of the country are enjoying an extended period of harvesting.

That has left growers in the west and north are still trying to finish oilseed rape, while farmers in the south and east are now making progress on their wheat.

Essex farmer Tom Bradshaw told FARMERS WEEKLY Harvest Highlights, that he began harvesting Cordiale for 10 days with good, but not outstanding yields.

The big surprise so far was the good yield of Soissons.

“For an old variety it‘s done very well – on paper its supposed to be 15% lower yielding than the new varieties but it was still coming in at 9 t/ha (3.64 t/acre).”

Mike Clay from Hampshire grain has seen some of the first wheat to be harvested around the south coast, an area traditionally known for its early harvest date.

He‘s estimated that around 10% of total wheat has been harvested to date. 

Mr Clay said early Malacca harvests have been disappointing with low specific weights and an average of 12.5 % protein.

James Dean has just made a start on his Soissons wheat by harvesting 29ha (70 acres) at 7.41 t/ha (3 t/acre), but has been forced to stop due to rain on his farm near Salisbury, Wilts.

However Robert Anscombe was woken up at 2 o’clock this morning by lightening and rain drops “the size of acorns” in Worcs.

“I’m fed up; the weather is just not giving us a chance – I’m praying for a break from the rain, otherwise we’re going to lose money.”

Phil Downson finished his oilseed rape harvest with success on his farm in N. Yorks. Yields were averaging around 4.94 t/ha (2 t/acre) from his 16ha (40 acres) of Royal.

Scottish farmer Sandy Alison has just got underway with his Triangle oilseed rape harvest near Edinburgh, but has had to stop due to wet weather.

According to FWi weather services the eastern coast has a chance of heavy rain while the rest of the England will have scattered showers and sunny spells. Scotland will be overcast and have rain in the morning with sunny spells in the afternoon.