Send us you views on harvest progress/ prospects: karen.willmer@rbi.co.uk

After being held back by recent rain, many combines have resumed again today (30 Aug), according to latest reports.

Most growers have reported high quality and yields of crops brought in before the rain, but remain concerned about those still to cut.

Edward Hitchcock on the Essex/Herts border said quality had held out remarkably well despite the weather, even in wheat cut last week (w/e 27 Aug). Cordiale had been especially good.

Most of the 240ha (600acres) still to be cut was still standing and he was cutting again today (Aug 30) at 18.6%. “It has been one of those years, but it will all get done.”

Charlie Edgley was “pleasantly surprised” by overall yields on the five-year average in Buckinghamshire, and hoped quality would all meet specification for Warburtons.

Bushel weights were mainly good, and he was particularly pleased Canadian spring wheat ADS75 met full milling specification.

Charles Carter on the Essex/ Herts border said wheat had done “excellently well” this year with top quality and yields above average. In particular, Istabraq had yielded up to 12.5t/ha (5t/acre).

“Overall I think it went pretty well for us. We got some good yields this year.”

Yorkshire farmer Derek Lamplough was “highly satisfied” with his finished harvest, with yields above the five-year average. However he said there was probably around 30 to 40% of winter wheat still remaining to be cut in the Yorkshire Wolds, and quality had deteriorated badly.

“No quality will be left. You just have to catch it when you can.”

See FWi’s Harvest Highlights section for the regional reports in full and more from around the country, updated every day.