The extent of the damage done to crops in 2012 by the year’s appalling weather will soon be known. The combinable crop harvest in 2012 saw one of the slowest starts in living memory then, just as conditions were improving and farmers were catching up, further downpours caused delays which meant the harvest is only now drawing to a close, weeks later than expected.  

Crop consultancy ADAS released its final Harvest Report on Friday (5th October), in which it reveals harvest proper started in late July, a full fortnight later than usual as cool, wet conditions had delayed crop maturity. Continued unsettled weather led to difficult field conditions throughout much of the harvest period in Western and Northern England and Scotland.

Thanks to a mercifully steeled period early on in September, farmers were able to catch up; this period saw most of the UK’s barley and wheat harvested. However, more stormy weather which moved in as September progressed meant harvest remained two weeks behind schedule for many, as most farmers were prevented from catching up any further during this period.

The UK’s wheat harvest is thought to be about 99 percent complete. The ADAS data confirms average yield is between 6.8-7.2 tonnes per hectare, with expectation at the lower end of the range. Specific weights are low, averaging less than 72kg/hl Hagberg falling number, though protein levels are reasonable.

The winter barley harvest is complete, with average yields at 6.5 t/h; higher than last year, though below the 5 year average. According to ADAS, specific weights are generally low, but malting grain nitrogen levels are within specification. 90 percent of the UK’s spring barley has also been harvested; yields are lower, averaging 5.2 t/ha, and quality is similar to winter barley.

Most of the national oat crop has been harvested, save for some crops in Scotland, ADAS revealed. Harvest is currently estimated at 85 percent complete. Specific weights are low.

The oilseed rape harvest is also complete; average yields are around 3.5 t/ha, though oil content is low.

The full report is available here

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