Combines out in force over Bank Holiday weekend

Combines have been out in force over the Bank Holiday weekend, but showers are still frustrating many combining attempts.

In Carnoustie, Angus, James Porter had been busy cutting spring barley over the past few days, and was pleased with yields of more than 7.4t/ha (3t/acre).

No wheat had been started in the area, and was about a week away from being ripe, with spring barley further inland still two weeks away.

Further south, David Hinchliffe was combining winter wheat until 12.30am last night (25 August).

“We had two inches of rain last week so it’s nice to be going again,” he said. “Quality is holding up so far.”

Tom Hipwell was on combining today at Hill Farm, Sandy, Beds, after being rained off on Saturday night.

He was about 60% of the way through harvest, having cut 202ha (500 acres) of wheat, and hoped to get another 40ha (100 acres) in today.

Yields were good at Martin Boulden’s Court Lodge Farm, Aldington, Kent, where Claire was coming in at 8.5-9.5t/ha (3.4-3.8t/acre).

He was about 80% of the way through harvest, and was likely to enjoy a few consecutive days of dry weather towards the end of this week.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday (28-30 August) were likely to be fine across England, Wales and Eastern Scotland, according to Met Office spokesman Barry Gromett.

However, western Scotland and Northern Ireland would continue to suffer from showers, and unsettled weather was likely to return next week.