Combines are still snatching crops between the showers, but many farmers remain frustrated by the weather.

In Suffolk, Nick Huxtable hadn’t started combining any wheat at Sir Richard Hyde-Parker Farms, Long Melford, although he had finished oilseed rape and spring barley.

“The wheat is fit, but we’ve been rained off several times. I tried it yesterday (12 August) but it was 22% moisture.”

With rain forecast most days until early next week, Mr Huxtable didn’t expect to be into wheat for almost a week yet.

But in Norfolk, Peter Seaman was combining wheat today at Great Farm, Norwich, despite a light rain shower this morning.

“We are punching a good hole in harvest – it has stayed fairly dry here,” he said.

However, the Claire, which was coming off at 15.2% moisture, was yielding at least 1t/ha (0.4t/acre) below average.

Harvest had been on hold for most of the week at Peter Fairs’ farms near Great Tey, Colchester, Essex.

“We had nearly an inch of rain on Tuesday, and we didn’t do anything at the weekend because of the showers.”

Wheat yields had been disappointing, and were 15% below last year. “Everything is ready – I just want some dry weather to get at it.”

In Yorkshire, Phil Dowson’s haymaking was rained off today at High House Farm, Richmond, Yorkshire.

But he had finished combining oilseed rape and was now waiting for the wheat to ripen. “It looks alright but it didn’t tiller that well, so it’s quite thin in places.”

In Co. Down, winter barley harvest was finished, and generally yields had been very pleasing, according to Charles Davidson at North Down Grain.

“The weather has been kind, and the crops are good, with plenty of straw. Generally, it’s very pleasing, and the better prices have given everyone a bit of a lift as well.”

Graham Furey expected to be into winter wheat by the end of the week at Castleview, Killyleagh, Co. Down.

Einstein and Alchemy winter wheat were standing well and looked good, he added. “But I don’t think they’re anything outstanding.”

---

Don’t forget – you can text us about yourharvest progress on 07537 402 287. Start your message with“fwharvest”