Long dry spells in the spring and recent hot temperatures have resulted in the fastest start to harvest since 2006, according to the AHDB.

The first harvest report of the 2025/26 season, covering the beginning of harvest, estimates that 10% of the UK winter barley area was harvested by 9 July.

This is ahead of the same time last year when harvest was 7% complete, and the five-year average of 6% complete at this point in the season.

See also: Why Herts farming family is moving their business to France

Progress is highly variable both within and between regions. So far, progress has only been recorded in the East and South East regions in this survey.

But anecdotally, harvest has begun in other regions, too. In the eastern region, 38% of winter barley is reported to have been harvested. This ranges from some farms that have yet to start to others which have now finished.

In the South East, 19% of the crop has been harvested. For farms further north and west, harvest is expected to start early this week.

Straw volumes are proving a challenge so far this season, with some noticeably short crops due to the prolonged warm and dry weather.

Yields

Yields of winter barley have been reported as positive, despite dry weather during the latter stage of crop development.

Reported UK yields averaged 6.9t/ha, up 2% on the five-year average. Reported yields range from 6.8-7.0t/ha. However, AHDB points out that these figures will change as more data is collected.

 Quality

At present, there is limited quality data available. However, initial specific weights in the eastern region are good and are as high as 70kg/hl in some areas.

No issues with nitrogen levels have been reported and moisture levels of crops harvested so far have averaged 13.6%.

Oilseed rape

While some oilseed rape has now been cut, no progress was reported by participants in this survey. Reports of yields in the earliest cut oilseed rape have been encouraging, though variable.

Due to the high temperatures forecast for the coming days, growers are warned to be mindful of temperature claims when going into stores, so they do not incur cooling charges or even face a load being rejected, because its temperature is greater than 25C.

The report is produced with data collected by the Andersons Centre and compiled by AHDB. It is based on a sample survey of farmers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.