Harvest is running late in some UK regions – but while yields are down, quality is better than expected after the atrocious growing season. 

See also: 9 farmer trials that aim to promote UK pulse production

Hampshire

In the South of England, harvest is on track, although growers are now having to hunt for fit crops, says Jonathan Arnold, director at Robin Appel.

Two-row winter malting barleys Craft, Electrum and Maris Otter have weighed well, averaging 64-65kg/hl, with nitrogen between 1.4-1.5%.

“Winter barley came and went quickly,” he adds. “Quality was good, but not vintage.”

Now into the winter wheat, the crop is proving extremely variable, says Jonathan.

“Yields range from 6t/ha to 11t/ha, while quality is surpassing expectations, averaging 76-80kg/hl specific weight, with Hagbergs well over 300.”

Good news comes from the spring barley, with about 40-50% of expected harvest complete.

“In the early drilled crops, grain size has been perfect and at around 65-68kg/hl, with no screenings and nitrogens of 1.4-1.5%.”

Winter oats have also been a tonic, averaging 7t/ha at 52kg/hl and 12% moisture – with no screenings to report, he adds.

Oilseed rape is leaving growers, overall, quite pleased, yielding around 3.7t/ha with low cabbage stem flea beetle challenge.

Submitted by Sam Bannister

Herefordshire

Moving west, harvest is a good two weeks behind for growers supplying Craven Grain’s Shobden store, which has an annual throughput of 40,000t.

Having taken in 2,000t of oilseed rape so far, store manager Dale Payne would usually anticipate around 10,000t in total, but he doesn’t expect to see over 6,000t this year due to both yield and acreage losses

“Yields are anywhere between 1.2t/ha and 3t/ha – but oil content is good at 44-46%.”

Winter feed barley is showing local promise, although grain from further afield is disappointing.

However, the late harvest trend continues, with only 50% of the anticipated 5,000t into store. Specific weights range from 60-70kg/hl, with yields up to 8.6t/ha.

“Grain coming from within 40 minutes of the store is very good quality,” says Dale. “It’s clean and probably some of the best I’ve seen in recent years.”

Some 3,000t of an anticipated 20,000t of winter feed wheat has come into store, with some crops still three weeks away from being ripe.

Yielding 8.6-9.9t/ha and ranging from 70-80kg/hl, what has been harvested has proven variable.

“Most of what is in store is looking good – it’s a nice bright colour, not washed out.”

East Midlands

Heading north, winter barley is complete for farm manager Joe Scott at Town House Farm in Rutland, while winter wheat gets under way.

Starting on 15 July, 60ha of two-row winter barley Tardis produced quality grain at 64kg/hl, yielding 7.2t/ha at 13.5% moisture.

Just into his 90ha of Dawsum winter wheat (12 Aug), it’s too early to report yields, Joe says.

“But it’s never looked back – we got it in straight after harvesting maize (7 Oct), and managed to get the pre-emergence spray on.”

By the end of the week (16 Aug) he anticipates he’ll be into the 60ha of Carrington spring peas. “It could be the best crop of peas we’ve ever had.”

Submitted by Ben Jeans

Scotland

Harvest is similarly late in Perthshire, and while yields are below average, quality is good, says Robin Barron, general manager at East of Scotland Farmers.

Winter malting barley is complete – all two-row Craft – with 100% of this year’s crop accepted. “It’s clean and achieved on average 7.4t/ha at 68kg/hl, and 1.6% nitrogen,” says Robin.

With 90% of the oilseed rape combined, farmers should be happy, with oil contents averaging 45% from acceptable yields and 9% moisture.

“We’ve seen a bit of dirty crop, but it’s debatable how much is from the conditions or the combine.”

On the cusp of the spring malting barley harvest, first indications are very good. “We’ve seen no issue of skinning or pre-germination,” says Robin.

“Nitrogen is low at 1.25% and specific weights look to be around 65kg/hl – we’re very optimistic on quality, if good harvesting conditions continue.”