UK: Harvest of barley started in earnest in the last week of July

Great Britain’s harvest of winter barley started in earnest in the last week of July with an estimated 10% harvested by the end of the month, HGCA reported on August, 1.

There is good progress in the south and east, but most regions are still 7-10 days away from the main start of harvest. In Scotland crops range in growth stage from medium milk (GS 75) to some early harvested crops but most are still at early dough (GS 83). Secondary tillering is a widespread problem in more open crops and patchy areas and may require pre-harvest treatment. Weed control is good in most crops but some have higher levels of spring germinating weeds. Pest and disease pressure remains low.

Spring barley crops have a range of growth stages due to the protracted drilling window. Even the late February drilled crops have matured later than normal due to the cold March and early April so the earliest crops are still 10-14 days from harvest, while the majority are typically hard dough (GS 87). The later drilled crops are typically at boots swollen (GS 45). Weed control is generally good and pest and disease levels remain low. Some crops on lighter land have shown stress symptoms during the hot and dry period in early July, and some lodging is apparent following heavy rain at the end of the month.

07 August, 2013