With close to half of the UK wheat harvest now complete, yields are improving as combines progress.

The AHDB yield report revealed the first 10% of winter wheat crops cut were down 11% on the five-year average. However, the picture looks much more positive, with yields averaging 7.66t/ha (down just 1%).

But this remains highly variable from farm to farm.

See also: Farmer Focus: A very pleasing harvest in Ireland

Generally, those on lighter ground have seen yields hit by the lack of rainfall, ranging from 16% down in the East of England to 24% up on average in the South East.

Quality is reported to be good, though as harvest advances, we will gain a clearer picture. Initial specific weights are good, with an average of 79 kg/hl.

Protein looks good, with protein levels in Group 1 samples averaging 13.5%.

Spring barley

Spring barley harvest is making good progress, with initial yields reporting a 21% increase on the five-year average.

However, while initial reports are promising, most progress had been concentrated in the East of England (93%) meaning greater variation is likely to emerge as harvest progresses.  

Some farmers are reporting yields as high as 20-30% above average. The average yield so far is 6.98t/ha and ranges from 5.08-7.37t/ha, though this can be expected to change over the coming weeks.

Winter barley

The UK winter barley harvest is now complete, with the final area cut this week.

As expected, yields were highly variable, ranging from 4.09-8.27t/ha. Overall, the average UK yield is estimated to be 1% below the five-year average.

Quality is said to be good overall, with an average specific weight across all regions of 65kg/hl.

Nitrogen levels within winter barley have averaged 1.7%.

Given the hot and dry weather in the late spring and early summer, it is not surprising that nitrogen levels are also reported as high. This may prove challenging for some end markets, with most malting barley requirements in the 1.66-1.85% range.

Winter oilseed rape

Oilseed rape harvest is now complete, slightly ahead of the same point last year.

Yields of oilseed rape this season have been encouraging, averaging 3.98t/ha across the UK. The average for the UK is the highest since 2011 for the winter sown crop.

Quality of oilseed rape has been excellent, with oil content averaging 44-45%.

Oats

The UK oat harvest is reportedly 48% complete. This is ahead of the same point last year, when 22% of the crop had been cut. Early oat yields are reported as 5% below the five-year average of 5.07t/ha.

However, this is not representative, with the UK average yield including both spring and winter crops, rather than only winter.