UK: Dry Week Ahead Should Help Harvest
Guess what? They kids go back to school next week.
Guess what? The sun is coming out the minute our little darlings rush through the school gates.
Just like if it's Wimbledon fortnight then it must rain every day, the Met Office are predicting any lingering showers to die out by the weekend enabling UK farmers to finally stand a chance of cracking on with the wheat harvest.
They're saying showers set to hit Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Saturday, which will then reach Wales and western England.
But by Sunday there should only be isolated showers, with the majority of the day filled with sunshine.
Farmers in the north of the UK will have to delay their harvest plans, as they contend with wet and windy weather, but for the majority of Britain the forecast brings relief, with a dry and bright Monday to Wednesday predicted.
By Thursday, the only rain should be contained in the far northwest of the UK, with everywhere else celebrating fine weather, which is set to continue over the weekend. The far northwest should also become dry and brighter over the weekend.
Meanwhile farmers who have been able to get stuck into their wheat are reporting generally favourable yields.
Chris Harrold is about a quarter of the way through his winter wheat at Docking Farm, Norwich, and yields have been excellent he says.
"The wheat appears to be phenomenal, he said. If we can get it were looking at our best harvest since 1985."
Mr Harrold was combining at about 20% moisture, and hoped to average about 9.9t/ha (4t/acre).
"Its an expensive, slow job drying it, but its all standing quite well so it hasnt taken any harm yet."
Farmers were about 40% of their way through winter wheat in Kent, according to intakes at Weald Granary store.
"Were about half way done, including rape, said manager John Smith. Our dryers are flat out - they havent stopped for three weeks and the fuel were getting through is unbelievable.
"Most loads were coming in at 19% moisture - the highest average in memory," said Mr Smith. I think weve tipped just four dry loads.
Transport availability was not a problem, but intake was slower than normal due to the longer drying and sorting time, he added.
"Yields so far were excellent, and quality was holding up incredibly well, although about half the wheat was below 12% protein. We have not seen any drop off in Hagberg."
Guess what? The sun is coming out the minute our little darlings rush through the school gates.
Just like if it's Wimbledon fortnight then it must rain every day, the Met Office are predicting any lingering showers to die out by the weekend enabling UK farmers to finally stand a chance of cracking on with the wheat harvest.
They're saying showers set to hit Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Saturday, which will then reach Wales and western England.
But by Sunday there should only be isolated showers, with the majority of the day filled with sunshine.
Farmers in the north of the UK will have to delay their harvest plans, as they contend with wet and windy weather, but for the majority of Britain the forecast brings relief, with a dry and bright Monday to Wednesday predicted.
By Thursday, the only rain should be contained in the far northwest of the UK, with everywhere else celebrating fine weather, which is set to continue over the weekend. The far northwest should also become dry and brighter over the weekend.
Meanwhile farmers who have been able to get stuck into their wheat are reporting generally favourable yields.
Chris Harrold is about a quarter of the way through his winter wheat at Docking Farm, Norwich, and yields have been excellent he says.
"The wheat appears to be phenomenal, he said. If we can get it were looking at our best harvest since 1985."
Mr Harrold was combining at about 20% moisture, and hoped to average about 9.9t/ha (4t/acre).
"Its an expensive, slow job drying it, but its all standing quite well so it hasnt taken any harm yet."
Farmers were about 40% of their way through winter wheat in Kent, according to intakes at Weald Granary store.
"Were about half way done, including rape, said manager John Smith. Our dryers are flat out - they havent stopped for three weeks and the fuel were getting through is unbelievable.
"Most loads were coming in at 19% moisture - the highest average in memory," said Mr Smith. I think weve tipped just four dry loads.
Transport availability was not a problem, but intake was slower than normal due to the longer drying and sorting time, he added.
"Yields so far were excellent, and quality was holding up incredibly well, although about half the wheat was below 12% protein. We have not seen any drop off in Hagberg."
