UK combinable crop harvest is now drawing to a close. Harvest progress has stayed ahead of average for most crops, despite some unsettled weather and difficult conditions in Scotland.
Summary
UK combinable crop harvest is now drawing to a close with the final cereal crops in Scotland, and field beans and linseed, likely to be harvested by the end of September. Harvest started in early July at a similar time to normal, despite crops being 7-10 days more advanced at the end of May following the warm and dry spring. Harvest progress has stayed ahead of average for most crops, despite some unsettled weather during the main harvest period, although conditions in Scotland were very difficult due to wet and windy weather coinciding with the main wheat and spring barley harvest window.
Cereal yields were very variable with some very poor yields on light land, particularly those in the south and east, due to the dry spring. But due to the rain in July boosting grain size and the cool weather extending grainfill, there were better yields on heavier land and in crops in the west and north which have compensated for poorer yields, with estimated national average yields only slightly below average. Oilseed rape yields are higher than average.
Quality of the 2011 harvest is generally good with high specific weights in most crops and low screenings. Milling wheat quality was good with proteins in excess of 12.5% and Hagberg falling numbers around 300 seconds. The only quality issue is the variability in grain nitrogen in malting barley with some above 1.8%.
Headlines
Wheat – Area harvested 98% UK area – Estimated national yield 7.5-7.7 t/ha. Across the harvest period quality was good with most milling varieties harvested at Hagberg falling numbers greater than 300 seconds. Specific weights have been high averaging 76-80 kg/hl and protein levels have also been high with most milling wheat at 12.8-13.0% protein.
Winter barley – Harvest complete – Estimated national yield 6.1-6.2 t/ha. Specific weights good, but grain nitrogen slightly high.
Spring barley – Area harvested 93% UK area (99% England & Wales, 85% Scotland) – Estimated national yield 5.3 t/ha. Specific weights good, grain nitrogen slightly high, but better in the later harvested crops in Scotland where some crops are down to 1.3% N and the average is about 1.6% N.
Oats – Area harvested 88% UK area – Estimated national yield 5.7 t/ha. Specific weights good. Most of the crops remaining to be harvested are those in Scotland.
Oilseed rape – Harvest complete – Estimated national yield 3.7-3.8 t/ha, oil content good.
ADAS compiles seven day harvest reports throughout the season for HGCA.
The full report can be viewed here.
For further information please contact Susan Twining on 01488 681321 or email Susan.Twining@adas.co.uk