The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is reporting winter wheat yields for GB to be in the range 8.2-8.6t/ha.
For crops grown on lighter soils, yields have been ranging from 5-11t/ha on farm. Yields of crops grown on heavier, more water-retentive soils are slightly higher, ranging from 5-14t/ha.
Milling wheat varieties are yielding 6.5-12t/ha, with feed wheat ranging between 7-14t/ha.
Again, yield differences are strongly linked to crop establishment and water retention capabilities of the soil.
Specific weights are varying between 78-83kg/hl on farm, with the Great Britain average currently at 78-80kg/hl. Hagberg falling numbers are ranging between 280-310secs and are averaging around 300secs.
Values of over 250secs are optimum for milling wheat varieties destined for bread-making.
Protein levels are varying between 11-13.5% on farm, with the GB average currently at 12-13%. The variation in protein levels is most probably due to the extended dry period following nitrogen application, limiting the uptake for some crops.
Other yields
Spring wheat yields are varying between 4- 8.5t/ha on farm. The lower yields are from crops with poor establishment and that have been grown on lighter soils.
These crops became water stressed during the dry spring and summer, affecting grain development and fill.
Winter barley is varying between 6t/ha on the lightest, driest land up to 12.5t/ha on the heaviest land that retained moisture.
The GB average winter barley yield is 7.2-7.4t/ha, which is slightly higher than the previous five-year average for the UK as a whole of 6.9t/ha.
Specific weights for barley are ranging between 65-72kg/hl on farm, with hybrids producing slightly lower specific weights than two-row varieties. The GB average winter barley specific weight is estimated at 66-68kg/hl.
Spring barley yields are currently ranging between 4.8-9t/ha on farm, with the average 5.5-5.9t/ha.
As with other crops, the lower yields are from lighter soils which suffered water stress, while the higher yields are from early drilled crops, in heavier soil.
Malting and rape
Yields for malting varieties are coming in between 4.4-7.8t/ha, with yields of feed varieties between 4.4-9t/ha.
Winter Oilseed Rape (WOSR) yields are ranging from 2.1-5.2t/ha on farm, with average GB yields at 3.2-3.6t/ha.
The highest yielding crops established well in autumn in moisture-retentive soil and had minimal damage from pests and/or disease.
Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle (CSFB) has caused less damage to crops this year and therefore has had less of an impact on yields than in previous years. Oil content is typically ranging between 42-47% on farm, with a GB average of 44-45%.
Very little WOSR has been dried in GB this harvest. Concerns have been around keeping seed cool enough for safe storage and transport, with end users refusing seed above 24°C due to safety concerns. Seed over 30°C has been common this season.
Farmers have had to harvest in the early mornings or at night for the seed to have a moisture content above 6% – in order to meet specification.
And, finally, winter oats are yielding between 6.5-10t/ha on farm, with the spring oat yield ranging from 4.7-9.5t/ha. The GB average oat yield is currently 5.1-5.9t/ha.
