Dry weather has seen rapid progress with the winter barley harvest, with more than 69% already complete in England, Wales and Scotland.

This is according to the first AHDB Harvest Progress Report based on data collated by Adas, which points out that the next earliest winter barley harvest was back in 2006.

See also: Harvest 2022: The 5 top-yielding winter barley varieties map

Looking at the regional level, harvest has started in all areas, with progress ranging from 20% complete in the North West to more than 90% complete in the South West and Eastern regions.

The report also estimates that 28% of the British winter oilseed rape area had been harvested up to 19 July, which is slightly ahead of recent years.

Cutting in the South and East ranges from 50-75% complete while in the West Midlands and further north, harvest is only just starting or not yet under way.

© Tim Scrivener

Barley yield and quality

Early barley yield indications are good, with yields from the South trending slightly above the five-year average. The current yield estimate for winter barley is 6.8-7.2t/ha, which is mainly based on data from the South and East of England.

Key results are:

• Early yields reported have ranged from 5-9.5t/ha (at below average moisture).
• The better yields that have been reported are from heavier land, and the lower yields from light land that suffered water stress during grain fill.
• Specific weights are currently coming in relatively high, at 66-70kg/hl.
• With hot and dry conditions, very little grain drying has been required, as grain moistures are averaging between 13% and 14%.

Rapeseed yield and quality

Based on early progress, national yields are currently averaging 3-3.4t/ha. This yield estimate is based on progress made in the East, East Midlands and Southern regions.

Key results are:

• Early on-farm yield reports are highly variable at 2-5t/ha nationally.
• Crops with better establishment, grown on heavier land and facing reduced pest pressure are yielding higher.
• Oil contents are currently averaging between 43% and 45%.
• The hot and dry conditions have meant little or no rapeseed needing to be dried. Currently, the range stands at 6% to 8% from limited data. In fact there have been some concerns around keeping moisture content, with some harvesting at night to try to keep moisture levels within requirements.