Harvest progress slow across country as yields stay solid

Winter barley now almost complete as growers dodge rain

The winter barley harvest is now around 95% complete and oilseed rape approximately 20% complete in Scotland.

Yields on winter barley have been around the five-year average or slightly above. Meanwhile, bushel weights are generally just meeting specification, or slightly below.

It’s too early to estimate yields at this stage on oilseed rape but early indications are suggesting around 4-4.2 tonnes per hectare. We are now seeing some spring barleys harvested, with early reports suggesting good yields and very low nitrogen.

Although the early spring barleys stimulate discussion, as with any year, it’s important to assess the overall yield and quality once a higher percentage of the spring crop is harvested.

South of the border harvest progress mirrors our own slow progress. Yields in general have again been above the five-year average here, too. If this pattern continues nationally then it is possible the UK wheat harvest could be upwards of 15.5 million tonnes.

Export bids in the south of the country continue to set the floor for domestic feed wheat prices but UK wheat will need to remain competitively priced in order to prevent a huge carryout next summer.

The latest USDA report shocked the market by increasing the US corn and wheat output and markets tumbled to lower limits by close of play on Monday.

The biggest surprises were the acreage and yields for corn. The acreage was only reduced to 90 million acres (a smaller drop than most were expecting) and yield was increased from last month’s report, despite a disastrous planting campaign.

However, the fact remains; we will not know the extent of US corn losses until crops are harvested.

Bruce Ferguson says yields on winter barley have been around the five-year average.