Know How / Wheat / Harvest and crop storage

Once the combines are rolling, harvest technique and timing can have an impact on wheat yield and quality, in the same way as weather and crop agronomy can. See how to prepare for both bumper and difficult harvests, how to manage the increased workload and what to consider as harvest approaches. Keeping a harvested wheat crop in the best condition, free of pests and diseases in store, is essential for the grain’s end market value.

Case studies

See all

HARVEST

Harvest 24: End in sight as farmers make progress in dry spell

As much of the cereal harvest draws to a close thanks to a spell of dry weather, farmers reflect on a difficult season, with many looking ahead to next year…

HARVEST

Harvest highs and lows from Arable Insights farmer panel

After a difficult season, what has the combine delivered for our eight Arable Insights growers? Farmers Weekly caught up with them to see how the harvest has progressed. See also:…

HARVEST AND CROP STORAGE

Selling direct to local feed mill saves storage and drying

A 30-year partnership with a local grain store and feed mill has proved to be a long-term sustainable grain marketing strategy for one farming estate on the east coast of…

HARVEST

How did harvest go for our Arable Insights farmers?

It’s been a difficult stop-start harvest across the country, but how have our regular featured Arable Insights farmer panel fared? See also: Harvest 2023: The 5 top-yielding spring barley varieties…

HARVEST

Harvest 2023: Wheat nearly done but spring barley to cut

Many growers will be finishing their winter wheat harvest this week, and spring barley is not far behind, except in Scotland where mixed weather has held back crop maturity. Somerset…

WEED MANAGEMENT

Video: Leicester farm trials weed seed unit on Fendt combine

Europe’s first Redekop seed control unit (SCU) fitted to a Fendt Ideal 10T combine, aimed at controlling weed seeds, is being put to the test this harvest in Leicestershire at…

Practical advice

See all

CROP MANAGEMENT

Advice for growers dealing with ergot this harvest

The fungal pathogen ergot is reported to be widespread across UK cereals this harvest, with some growers identifying the disease for the first time in decades. The greater incidence is…

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Strategy pointers for selling grain in a volatile market

Wheat growers are being urged to calculate their cost of production before selling any grain for harvest 2023, as input costs have risen sharply while wheat prices have drifted lower.…

HARVEST AND CROP STORAGE

Tips to achieve successful long-term grain storage

There are many factors to take into consideration when storing grain crops for the long term. Getting it wrong means quality will deteriorate, which can lead to significant financial losses.…

HARVEST AND CROP STORAGE

How to dry grain more efficiently in a wet harvest

With showery summers predicted to become more common, now is a good time to appraise grain-drying facilities and reinvest where necessary to help deal with any extreme seasons to come.…

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

How to prepare for ergot limits in cereals for harvest 2021

Growers need to prepare for new regulations covering maximum limits on ergot in cereals, to avoid loads being rejected by millers and merchants from harvest 2021 onwards.  The current 0.05%…

HARVEST AND CROP STORAGE

How to sample your grain on farm to get the top price

Grain sampling can be a problematic area causing friction between arable growers and grain traders when it comes to price deductions. Testing for moisture contents and specific weights can often…

Insights

See all

WHEAT

Wheat variety winners and losers in challenging season

Wheat variety performance in 2024 was affected by the double whammy of terrible growing conditions and high disease pressure, making it a more complicated story than usual. There’s no doubt…

HARVEST

Harvest 2024: The 5 top-yielding winter wheat varieties map

Throughout the harvest season, we are updating our handy map with the latest data from the AHDB's 2024 wheat Recommended List (RL) harvest results. Use the map below to find…

HARVEST

Harvest 2023: The 5 top-yielding winter wheat varieties map

Throughout the harvest season, we are updating our handy map with the latest data from 2023’s AHDB wheat Recommended List harvest results. Use the map below to find the five…

VARIETY SELECTION

Harvest 2022: Light levels lifted yields despite drought

Despite record-breaking summer temperatures and a lack of rain, winter wheat yields recorded from harvest 2022 were higher than many had anticipated. Crops made the most of the good growing…

HARVEST

Harvest 2022: The 5 top-yielding winter wheat varieties map

Throughout the harvest season, we are updating our handy map with the latest data from 2021’s AHDB wheat Recommended List harvest results. Use the map below to find the five…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Should farms sell or chop straw with fertiliser prices high?

The value of straw, whether for power stations or traditional forage and bedding markets remains, buoyant, and many growers will be looking to take advantage of that. However, with high…

WEED MANAGEMENT

How farmer trial will test Canadian combine weed seed mill

A group of UK farmers is taking part in a ground-breaking research project to test the effectiveness of harvest weed seed control units developed by a Canadian company. This non-chemical…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Why grain analysis now could save on fertiliser next season

Farmers are being advised to get their grain analysed this harvest to help refine next season’s fertiliser decisions, with data showing the average uncertainty equates to £2,000 for an average…

VARIETY SELECTION

Variety verdict: Top-performing wheats and barleys of 2021

The combination of plants already under stress and a disease explosion that hit crops in late spring and early summer is thought to be behind the discrepancies seen in wheat…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How data analytics can help identify marginal farmland

The power of data analytics in improving decision making about future land use is being highlighted by a project at AHDB’s Strategic Farm East to use data to identify marginal…

VARIETY SELECTION

Harvest 2021: The 5 top-yielding winter wheat varieties map

Throughout the harvest season, we are updating our handy map with the latest data from 2021’s AHDB wheat Recommended List harvest results. Use the map below to find the five…

NUTRITION AND FERTILISER

Can grain nutrient analysis improve fertiliser use?

Grain nutrient analysis offers growers an effective way to improve input efficiency by diagnosing potential nutrient deficiencies, so management plans can be tweaked accordingly. Acting a bit like a post-mortem, grain…

External resources

AHDB Grain storage guide

View guide

HSE Grain dust

View guide

AHDB Grain sampling guide

View guide

AIC grain passport

Download