UK harvest 90% complete, says ADAS

Farmers have cut more crops over the past week than in any other week of harvest, according to an ADAS report for HGCA.

Almost 800,000ha of crops were cleared (1.98m acres) in the week to 8 September, bringing the total combinable crop area harvested to over 90%.

“Around 150,000ha (370,500 acres) of wheat remains to be harvested, predominantly in Scotland (35%) and the North East (25%), with the remainder in the other English regions,” said the report.

Yields were 3-4% below the five-year average, at 7.5-7.7t/ha (3-3.1t/acre), although recent yields from northern regions were average or slightly better.

Cold nights and heavy dews meant about 70% of grain had to be dried, with moisture contents ranging from 13.5% to 20%.

“Impacts of August harvest delays on quality appear minimal. There is some evidence that Hagbergs for recently harvested crops have fallen due to delays in harvest.

“And there are more reports of sprouting in susceptible varieties, but this is not a widespread problem.”

Samples had had tested at 73-75 kg/hl, 225-300 Hagberg and 12-13% protein.

With 90% of wheat cut, harvest was ahead of the seven-year average of 80% by 8 September.

Spring barley harvest was also ahead, with 85% of the UK crop cut – 95% in England and Wales and 70% in Scotland.

Yields were 6% below average at 5-5.2t/ha (2-2.1t/acre). “Quality remains good with high specific weights and good grain nitrogen levels.”

Samples were testing at 65-67kg/hl, 1.6-1.8% nitrogen and 1-4% screenings.

About 95% of the UK oat crop had been combined, with yields estimated to be below average at 5.5-5.6t/ha (2.2-2.3t/acre) and specific weights at 49-51 kg/hl.

Good progress had been made on spring oilseed rape, with 62% now cut, said the report.

“Strong winds in some regions over the past week did result in some seed shedding, causing localised yield losses.

“However, on average yields are in the region of 1.8-2t/ha (0.7-0.8t/acre).”

Winter oilseed rape yields were some 12% above normal, at 3.7t/ha (1.5t/acre), with oil contents of 43-46%.

But winter barley yields were 5% down, at 6.2-6.3t/ha (2.5-2.6t/acre), with a specific weight of 64-66 kg/hl, 1.5-1.7% nitrogen and 1-3% screenings.