Early Harvest 2025: Promising Yields, Regional Variability & Quality Insights

The 2025 harvest season has kicked off earlier than any year since 2006, with some winter barley already harvested in June. While the warm and dry conditions have been a welcome contrast to the harsh frosts and record rainfall of 2024, early results show significant variability across and within regions but overall, not looking bad all things considered.

Yield Performance Across Key Crops

Initial yield data from Ceres winter crops suggests a broadly positive outlook, though results vary by location and crop type. Oilseed rape (OSR) is yielding between 3 and 4+ tonnes per hectare, with most crops clustering around 3–3.5 t/ha. Barley is performing well, with yields ranging from 6 to 8+ t/ha and many samples reaching 7.5–8+. Oats are returning between 5 and 6 t/ha, while wheat is showing strong early results between 7.5 and 9 t/ha, with many fields achieving 8–8.5 t/ha.

A comparison with previous years highlights the relative strength of this season’s start:

Despite the dry conditions, these figures suggest a more favourable start than last year, particularly for wheat and barley.

Grain Quality: Encouraging Protein Levels

Early quality assessments are also positive. Protein levels in key milling wheat varieties are exceeding expectations: Skyfall is testing at 13.4%, Zyatt at 13.2%, and Extase between 11.7–11.8% in Essex. Vibe, sampled in Cambridge, is returning 12%. These results mark a notable improvement over the past two years, when many samples failed to reach the 12% threshold.

However, growers are reminded to check their milling wheat contracts carefully, as some include maximum protein limits—up to 14% in certain cases—which could affect marketability.

Winter Barley: Regional Progress and National Trends

According to the AHDB Harvest Report (as of the 9th July), approximately 10% of the UK’s winter barley area has been harvested, with the eastern region leading at 38%—6% ahead of the five-year average. Yields are currently averaging 6.9 t/ha, which is 2% above the five-year average, and moisture levels are averaging 13.6%. Quality data is not yet available, but further updates are expected in the next AHDB report due on the 25th July.