ADAS Harvest Report 2010 – a bit wetter and a bit longer than normal

The final cereals in Scotland were harvested this weekend after some terrible weather in the past three weeks. I spoke to one Seedarowner at the end of last week who claimed to be now “catching it dry at a little over 25% moisture”. There are very few place in the UK where a grain drier works harder than in Aberdeenshire. With harvest now at a close we can see how we have all got in the ADAS Harvest Report 2010.

It was published 30th September when the majority of harvesting was completed. In summary it concludes:

Harvest progress was disrupted by wet weather in most weeks during the harvest period, and particularly during the main wheat harvest weeks in August. Despite this there was steady progress throughout the harvest period and although a high proportion of crops required drying, there were few serious delays and quality was generally maintained. 

Our experience this harvest indicates a similar degree of interruption. Reflected by an above average number of enquiries for new grain driers during the harvest period and a significant spike in demand for second hand grain driers. This was touched on in a recent article in the Farm Contractor magazine that suggested as many as 30% of mobile grain driers were “panic purchases”. This is the type of purchase we believe should be avoided if at all possible, rushed decisions too often result in expensive and unecessary compromises being made.

With regards to grain quality the report observed the following:  

Cereal yields are expected to be lower than the 5 year average, although estimates are difficult due to the larger variations in yields compared to normal. The lower yields, and variability, are due mainly to the prolonged period of dry weather during grainfill in June and July which put crops under stress, particularly on light land. In contrast, oilseed rape yields are expected to be higher than average this year. 

The HGCA quality survey covering early harvest found the following results:  

• Wheat – average yield 7.5-7.6 t/ha (5 year average 7.9t/ha); average specific weight: 77.8 kg/hl; Hagberg Falling Numbers 318 seconds; average protein content 12.9%
• Winter barley – average yield 6.2t/ha (5 year average 6.5t/ha); average specific weight 67.8 kg/hl; average malting nitrogen content 1.74% and screenings around 1.4%
• Spring barley – average yield 5.6t/ha (5 year average 5.4t/ha); average specific weight 67.5 kg/hl; average malting nitrogen content 1.59% and screenings of 2.3%
• Oats – average yield 5.6t/ha (5 year average 5.9t/ha); average specific weight 52kg/hl
• Oilseed rape – average yield around 3.7t/ha (5 year average 3.3t/ha); oil content varied ranging from 39%-46% dependent on variety

Cumulative rainfall was typically 150-175mm over the 10 week harvest window, approximately 130% of normal. Rainfall was higher in the western and northern regions where it was up to 180% of normal. Rainfall was quite evenly distributed through the harvest period although, during the main wheat harvest window conditions were particularly wet in the south and east.  

As a result of the weather the report identified the following impacts on farm grain drying and storage:   

Given the generally unsettled conditions during the harvest period there was a high demand for drying. Earlier harvested winter barley and oilseed rape required less drying with most barley crops harvested between 15-16% moisture, although some of the later harvested crops in the northern regions were harvested at 16-18% moisture.  

Winter wheat and spring barley harvest coincided with an unsettled period of weather and a high proportion of grain required drying from 16-18% moisture. Grain harvested in the dry spell across week 7 and 8 required less drying, but cool overnight temperatures meant that crops were slow to dry in the morning and there was still some drying required.  

The later harvested crops in Scotland and northern England have required a greater level of drying with harvested samples often in excess of 18% moisture.

The full report can be read here.

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