UK: Spring barley quality reported to be better than expected so far

So far spring barley yields in the UK have varied drastically with the average yield at this point estimated at 5.1-5.5t/ha, this is slightly below the five year average yield of 5.8t/ha, AHDB reported on August 17.

Around 35% of the GB spring barley area has now been harvested, as at 14 August, slightly behind 2014 but ahead of other harvests in the last five years. Reports so far suggest that quality is better than expected given the difficult conditions this year. Due to the split in planting windows this year crops vary greatly in their maturity which may lead to swings in yield and quality information as harvest progresses.

Overall, 75% of the total GB cereal and oilseed crop area has now been harvested according to the latest GB harvest report for the week ending 14/08/18. This remains at least a week ahead of progress in the previous five years despite heavy showers and continual rainfall halting progress in most regions from 09/08/18 onwards.

The winter barley and OSR harvest has now drawn to a close for the most part, with only 7% of the OSR crop left unharvested in Scotland. The winter wheat harvest is now 80% complete and any impact on quality from the rainfall in the latter half of the week has yet to emerge.

20 August, 2018