The latest harvest figures from ADAS show a dry week up to 17th August in the South meant the wheat harvest is progressing well, however, since that time, rains in the North and South have affected the harvest, which is around 50 per cent complete. image expired

Rains in parts of Europe are hampering progress; there are reports that bad weather in Germany is still affecting harvesting in the North. The harvest in the EU’s number two wheat producer has been affected for weeks by rain and, although the forecast is improving, up until the weekend the ground was still too soft for harvesters to enter fields.

Traders have expressed fears over the effect the weather will have on the quality of the German crop. The German farming association DBV announced on Wednesday (17th August) that "The extremely difficult harvest situation in many parts of North and North-East Germany may not be underestimated." DBV vice president, Udo Folgart, said "In north and north-west Germany harvesting is at a standstill in many areas."

In France, the EU's largest producer, yield estimates remain well down after the country was severely affected in the spring drought, however FranceAgriMer has said yields remain better than expected given the circumstances.

While yields are improving in the UK as more wheat is harvested, levels remain below the five year average as the effects of the spring drought are still being felt. The HGCA said average yields for this year are currently estimated at 7.3 to 7.7 tonnes per hectare. The cool weather throughout most of the UK has meant that crops hit by rain have been slow to dry out.

Nevertheless, the quality of the early harvested wheat has been good, with Hagbergs for milling wheat mostly in excess of 300 seconds, specific weights averaging 78-80 kg/hl and protein levels close to 13 per cent.

Thanks to quick work and clement weather in the East, the harvest is progressing ahead of the five year average. Ideal weather in the Eastern region has also meant only 10 to 15 per cent of the grain harvested has required drying, compared to between 90 and 95 per cent elsewhere after to heavy dews and rain.

The latest HGCA harvest report revealed that as the harvest moves West, where the affects of the drought have not been so great, yields are likely to rise slightly. However, farmers in Staffordshire have expressed fears that the dryness which has continued into summer in the Midlands may result in lower yields.