HEAVY RAIN across the UK has brought combines to a grinding halt this week (w/e Aug 13) and sparked serious concerns over wheat quality.

Wheat futures dropped by £2-3/t in just three days at the start of the week as traders mentally discounted the UK‘s exportable surplus towards feed wheat levels.

Nationally just 10-15% of the crop has been harvested, and although some early samples were of excellent quality, warm wet weather is now of major concern.

“The weather is ideal for sprouting, so Hagbergs are under threat,” said Gleadell trading director, David Sheppard.

“Yields are good to slightly better than average at just over 8t/ha (3.2t/acre), but the difference between first and second wheats is quite marked.”

Group One milling wheat samples varied from 12-13% protein, 140-300 Hagberg and 77-82kg/hl, he said.

Spot values were being supported by good domestic demand, said Glencore‘s James Maw.

Feed wheat is now worth £59-60/t ex-farm for harvest and £63/t for November, with milling premiums widening out to £15-18/t over feed.

Most demand was for local buyers, and although the UK was export competitive nearby, it was £4-6/t too expensive against Black Sea wheat later in the year, he added.