NFU Harvest Report for East Anglia and UK

Despite nearing the end of September harvest is still not fully complete across the country. The much needed break in the weather last week did mean that good progress was made by many; however the longer nights and continuing high water levels have mean that finishing the harvest has not been possible for all.

Cereals areas are largely complete for most regions however some areas are still experiencing significant problems and across the country there are still pockets where crops remain in the fields.

Conditions are still very challenging for some areas and wet conditions continue to hinder the progress of harvest in parts of the North East; including northern parts of Yorkshire, County Durham and Northumberland and also in areas of the West Midlands including south Worcestershire, Warwickshire and northern Gloucestershire.

Where harvest has finished preparation for planting next years crop is now the focus. Farmers are continuing to look to alternative cropping plans, where time has meant original plans have had to be put to one side as optimal times for establishing some crops has now passed.

East Anglia

During damper periods farmers have continued to harvest winter beans and to plough and prepare fields for next years crops. Cropping plans are being revisited with oilseed and wheat plantings likely to decline at the expense of winter barley and break crops like winter beans.

Cultivations are behind compared to average progress at this time of year with delays in seed bed preparations and clearing fields of straw. A continued dry spell will help with progress in planting of next years crops.

North East

In Northumberland harvest remains hampered with significant areas of wheat still yet to be cut. Despite the respite from the rain in the north of the region water logging continues as soils are not drying.

Some farmers are therefore still experiencing substantial difficulties. Wheat that is still to be harvest has begun sprouting and some of the crop where it has gone flat may now not be able to be harvested. Those who have managed to make progress have taken in crops at high moisture content with the consequential additional drying costs.

Further south in the region the wheat harvest is now all but complete and continued dry weather will help the last small pockets to be picked up.

 West Midlands

Conditions are continuing to hamper harvest across some areas including south Worcester and Warwickshire, partly as a result of soils remaining near maximum water capacity.

Progress has been made however by many and the majority of the wheat has now been cut. Beans are also now being harvested, with some already finished. Linseed harvest should begin this week across the region, if the dry weather continues.

The improved weather has also meant that straw has been able to be removed from the fields allowing progression on cultivation for next years crops.

Now we are into the end of September many producers have to look at other cropping options as time to establish oil seed rape is passing. Conditions remain wet in some areas and cereal drilling is expected to be delayed this autumn as conditions are not at all easy for seedbed preparation.

South West

Good progress has been made over the last week as soils have recovered from previous wet weather. Most of the cereals harvest is complete in the region although pockets remain in areas including in Cornwall Crops remaining in the field continue to suffer yield losses as grains sprout in the ear or shed to the ground, even where crops are still standing.

Land work is now going on for next years crop with farmers now having to make decision on whether it is still in time to make winter cropping plans. Many are looking to spring cropping as an option and whether to drill oilseed rape continues to be the issue for some.

Wales

Progress yet again has been significant in contrast to the previous month. Harvest of all crops has moved on in the last 4 days with drier conditions.

Problems remain with wet straw still left in the fields still too wet to get off currently, however drier conditions meant it is possible to now bale while combining so fields are now being cleared as the crop is being taken in.

Wheat is still being harvested at around 20-21% so significant drying will still be needed. Where crops have been cleared ground preparations have now begun with oilseed rape drilling in some areas.

North West

The harvest is now nearly complete with less than 10% left in the fields. The areas left represent those soils which have taken longer to dry; these small areas will be completed if good weather continues this week.

Establishment of next year's crop is ongoing with many in process of preparing seed beds and preparing to start to drill winter cereals. Although establishment is behind by a few weeks, compared to an average year, a continued dry spell will help many to catch up on progress.

East Midlands

With better weather last week many have now neared the end of the harvest of their cereal crops although some pockets are still remaining across the region. With dry conditions expected for the next few days the cereal crop should be near completion by the end of this week.

Most have now been able to start on the protein crops with a good progression through beans in the region, some farmers are however experiencing difficulties with the harvesting of peas where they have now gone flat.

Cultivation for the establishment of next year's crop is continuing however preparation of seed beds is proving difficult for many with most having to plough their land.

South East

Cereals harvest is all but complete for many farmers in the region following 10 straight days of dry weather, the longest period during harvest this year. Yields and quality have been generally good across the region although later harvested crops will have suffered more on quality.

Nearly all crops have been taken in wetter than normal and most have needed drying to some extent with the associated extra costs and difficulties with drying capacity.

The focus is now on land preparation and the drilling of next year's crop. As time is running out for optimum planting dates for oilseed rape, some producers are switching to other crops.

Where land has been very wet farmers are having to plough and press the land in order to prepare seed bed. Slugs are a problem where OSR has been drilled and some soils are beginning to dry out which may impact on crop establishment!

Sowing of winter cereals has begun across the region at around two weeks later than normal and additional seed bed preparations being needed by some to deal with soil compaction. Seed supply, due to the delayed harvest, is an issue for some.