First 2024 harvest report: Good progress due to drier weather

This year’s first harvest progress report of the 2024/25 season covers the beginning of harvest up to 31st July. 

AHDB confirmed that the winter barley harvest is now 85% complete, ahead of normal pace. Oilseed rape harvest is 73% complete, also ahead of the five-year average. 

Overall, yields are generally trending down on the previous five-year average for both oilseed rape and winter barley. 

Harvest is expected to continue progressing well in the coming fortnight, though a band of low pressure looks set to reach much of the UK this weekend, bringing cooler temperatures and an increased chance of rain. 

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Favourable conditions 

The report continues: “For some growers, there was a break between starting and completing winter barley harvest due to rainfall in mid-July. Winter barley harvest had started in some areas as early as 10th July.  

“Favourable conditions more recently have also meant that oilseed rape harvest is well underway. In total, 85% of the English, Welsh and Scottish winter barley harvest is complete, ahead of normal pace. 

“Similarly, 73% of the winter oilseed rape harvest has been completed across these areas, also ahead of the five-year average. Anecdotal reports suggest very small areas of winter wheat and spring barley have been harvested.  

“The survey results also show that a small proportion of oats have been cut, though as data is very limited, today’s report will not publish information on these crops.” 

The report, which includes data collected by The Andersons Centre and compiled by AHDB, also warns that given the weather and bare patches in fields, grass weed pressures have been high.  

This has been observed with an increased prevalence of ergot in some samples. Ergot has primarily been seen as coming from grass weeds rather than cereal crops, the report confimed. 

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Yield and quality 

The report continues that for winter barley, early yield indications vary greatly from 5.3-8.5 t/ha, averaging 6.2 t/ha.

This is down 12% on the UK five-year average. Better yields have been seen in the East of England, while the East Midlands saw the greatest fall on average yields so far.

Specific weights are coming in between 59-72 kg/hl. Screenings are a little lower than normal due to a smaller grain size. Though nitrogen content is generally low, ranging from 1.3-1.6%.

Moisture has also varied, with the higher levels seen in Yorkshire and the Humber, and lower levels in the Eastern region. 

For oilseed rape, yield variation is also significant. GB yields range from 2.0-3.6 t/ha, and average 2.9 t/ha, down 10% on the UK five-year average.

Oil content is currently ranging between 43-46%, though there are reports of small seeds. Moisture content is averaging 8.3%, ranging from 6.7% in the East, to 10.2% in the North West. 

Read the report here. 

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