Wheat bushel weights are the lowest on record, at an average of 70.7kg/hl, according to provisional results from the HGCA.

With a typical range from 62kg to 79kg – but also including some in the 50-60kg bracket, specific weights were the lowest since records began in 1977, said the report.

The HGCA’s second cereal quality survey, of almost 36,000 samples of wheat, put Hagberg Falling Numbers at 249 seconds – the lowest since 2008.

But protein contents were the highest since 2006, at 12.5%.

“The survey is biased towards South-East and Eastern regions, with 72% of samples originating from these areas due to their earlier harvest,” said the report.

“The estimates are also weighted towards Nabim group one and two varieties, which make up 46% of all samples, as these are typically harvested earlier than group threes and fours.”

Barley bushel weights were also below average, at 63.2kg/hl, with low nitrogen contents averaging 1.6%.

“Screening results are poorer in general, with an average of 3.7% of grain passing through a 2.25mm sieve and 89.4% of grain retained by a 2.5mm sieve,” said the report.