The wheat harvest is now 92% complete with the average yield estimated at 7.3t/ha – 5.4% below the five-year average, says the AHDB.

Despite variability, wheat quality – particularly for milling – remains good, with strong proteins and good specific weights reported.

See also: AHDB corrects UK wheat yield data blunder

While harvest progress has been strong, outpacing five-year averages, the combination of lower yields for many growers and falling grain prices throughout the year points to significant financial challenges for arable farms.

Even where yields have exceeded expectations, declining prices are expected to weigh heavily on profitability and cashflow.

Spring barley and oats

The spring barley harvest is 68% complete. Early promising results from southern England have given way to mixed outcomes further north, with reports of crops failing to make malting quality due to high screenings.

In Scotland, an estimated 29% of the crop is harvested.

The oat harvest is 89% complete. Yields are currently averaging 4.8t/ha, down 10% on the five-year average, with marked variation.

Winter oat quality has generally been good, but spring oats have struggled, achieving both lower yields and specific weights.

Ahead of schedule

Winter barley and oilseed rape harvests were completed earlier in August, both ahead of the five-year averages.

Overall, harvest progress is running significantly ahead of recent years. Most winter cereals are now cut, and many farmers expected to finish two weeks ahead of a typical season.

AHDB senior analyst Helen Plant explained the 2025 harvest has been characterised by extreme variability.

“For many, yields are well below average, though others are recording stronger results.

“Harvest progress has been rapid, and the quality of wheat is a positive point as the season advances,” she said.