Harvest progress in Great Britain

Harvesting of cereals and oilseeds is now complete for all farmers in our survey across the UK. Anecdotally, there may be some small areas of pulses left to be cut outside of this survey. This report provides a look back at harvest 2024.

Met Office data highlights how dry weather towards the beginning of harvest, gave way to frustrating delays towards the end. Despite being later planted than usual, spring crops fared much better than winter crops, which had a very tough start with August 2023 to February 2024 being the second wettest August through February since 1837, when records began. 

The 2024 UK wheat harvest commenced in week four of a ‘typical’ harvest period and ended in week 11. Rapid progress was made earlier in the harvest, before slowing with more variable conditions as the harvest moved north and west. Moisture adjusted yields are estimated to be down 7% on average across the UK, at 7.5t/ha. Protein content has been lower on average across milling wheat samples. Moisture content has been high in some cases, mainly later harvested crops. Ergot has been especially prevalent this season, with a high number of loads requiring colour sorting for grain ergot and aspirating required for grass ergots.

The barley harvest (both winter and spring) is now complete and quality has been good, with good germination scores reported, but low nitrogen levels. Spring barley moisture contents increased on average as the harvest progressed into Scotland. However, moisture adjusted yields were only reported to be down 3% on the five-year average level across the UK. Spring barley harvest finished in Scotland in week 12.

The UK oat harvest finished in week 12. There was a noticeable improvement in performance across oats towards the end of harvest, reflecting the transition from winter oats to spring oats. The winter crop was, generally, established in poor conditions, but while many spring oats were planted much later than usual, these later planted crops had a favourable start. Oat yields (winter and spring crops combined) in the UK were just 2% below the five-year average.

Oilseed rape quality has been good this season, with oil content high. Yields have been variable from region to region. Typically yields were higher than average in regions that have seen historically high cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) pressure, such as Eastern England. Oilseed rape yields were reported to be down 8% on average, at 2.97t/ha.

Within this survey, pulse harvesting was completed this week, with the final areas cut in Northern Ireland. Anecdotally, some small areas remain to be harvested outside this survey. Little historical information is available on regional pulse yields, so it is hard to draw a national conclusion. However, yields were generally average or slightly above average for those farms reporting pulse progress.

It is evident just how variable yields are from region-to-region, farm-to-farm, and field-to-field. This is not surprising given the unusual weather, but the larger drop in yields for some businesses will pose significant cash flow challenges.

With harvest complete, attention is now turning to establishing the 2025 crop, many will be eager to get winter cereals in the ground considering last year’s extremely wet autumn and winter conditions.

This is the final report of 2024.

We are currently experiencing some technical issues with our harvest progress dashboard. We are working hard to fix this as soon as possible. The latest 2024 information is available to view in the report below.

• Use the drop down menus at the top of the dashboard to select a harvest week and crop. This will allow you to view the national harvested area for that crop (top chart) as well as a regional breakdown (right-hand chart). National quality and yield information (left-hand table) is also available for all crops alongside harvest progress comments (map). The line chart tracks national harvest progress, for the selected crop, compared to previous years.

• Use the drop down menus at the top of the second chart to view the harvest progress, of a particular crop, throughout the season.

2024

• Harvest Progress Report 6 (w/e 09 October).
• Harvest Progress Report 5 (w/e 25 September).
• Harvest Progress Report 4 (w/e 11 September).
• Harvest Progress Report 3 (w/e 28 August).
• Harvest Progress Report 2 (w/e 14 August).
• Harvest Progress Report 1 (w/e 31 July).

2023

• Harvest Progress Report 6 (w/e 26 September).
• Harvest Progress Report 5 (w/e 12 September).
• Harvest Progress Report 4 (w/e 29 August).
• Harvest Progress Report 3 (w/e 15 August).
• Harvest Progress Report 2 (w/e 08 August).
• Harvest Progress Report 1 (w/e 25 July).

2022

• Harvest Progress Report 6 (w/e 13 Sep).
• Harvest Progress Report 5 (w/e 23 Aug).
• Harvest Progress Report 4 (w/e 16 Aug). 
• Harvest Progress Report 3 (w/e 09 Aug).
• Harvest Progress Report 2 (w/e 02 Aug).
• Harvest Progress Report 1 (w/e 19 Jul).

2021

• Harvest Progress Report 6 (w/e 30 Sept)
• Harvest Progress Report 5 (w/e 7 Sept)
• Harvest Progress Report 4 (w/e 24 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 3 (w/e 17 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 2 (w/e 10 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 1 (w/e 27 Jul)

• Harvest Progress Report 6 (w/e 06 Oct)
• Harvest Progress Report 5 (w/e 22 Sep)
• Harvest Progress Report 4 (w/e 08 Sep)
• Harvest Progress Report 3 (w/e 18 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 2 (w/e 11 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 1 (w/e 28 Jul)

• Harvest Progress Report 5 (w/e 10 Sep)
• Harvest Progress Report 4 (w/e 27 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 3 (w/e 20 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 2 (w/e 13 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 1 (w/e 30 Jul)

• Harvest Progress Report 6 (w/e 25 Sep)
• Harvest Progress Report 5 (w/e 28 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 4 (w/e 14 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 3 (w/e 7 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 2 (w/e 31 Jul)
• Harvest Progress Report 1 (w/e 24 Jul)

• Harvest Progress Report 6 (w/e 26 Sep)
• Harvest Progress Report 5 (w/e 5 Sep)
• Harvest Progress Report 4 (w/e 22 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 3 (w/e 15 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 2 (w/e 1 Aug)
• Harvest Progress Report 1 (w/e 18 Jul)

While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.

All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk  © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.