Winter barley yield reports improved slightly as more growers cut, but overall yields were still disappointing for many with reports of over 4t/ac rare, but there are genuine reports of 4.2-4.6t/ac after break crops.

However, the run of winter barley yields looks to be around 3.3-3.6t/ac at low moisture contents, averaging at 14-15% in a lot of places this week with one report of 10%. KPH has a wide range, like yield, but the average is somewhere around 63-65 from talking to farmers and grain buyers.

Overall, many farmers are disappointed with yields, but are happy to get crops cut in easier conditions with no stoppages for rain. Baling has also been made easier with straw yields reported as generally good.

Take-all, barley yellow dwarf virus and a wet spring are all being included in possible reasons for lower yields than expected. Some growers were disappointed with yields from varieties for premium contracts.

The oats harvest got underway in some places at the end of last week, with a large number cutting early this week. So far, yield reports are from about 3.75t/ac to about 4t/ac.

Winter oilseed rape has been cut in a number of places with varying early yield reports. Winter rye is reported to be near, with winter wheat and spring cereals all turning colour in the heat. Some farmers are expecting to cut spring barley by around the 25-26 July in current weather conditions.