The combine harvesters are running at full speed not only here in the Netherlands, but all over Europe. Where winter barley would usually just start in many places, a lot of wheat has already been harvested. The quality is good on average, but the yields are very variable.
Records have been broken all over Europe regarding the timing of the grain harvest. In the east, the first barley was harvested at the end of June, followed by rapeseed and winter wheat. It is also high summer in the always mild Scandinavia. Grain and straw yields are very poor, due to the worst drought in 60 years. In the Netherlands the grain harvest good, especially on clay soils. The MARS report for July estimates the wheat harvest of the EU-28 was 3,5% lower compared to June.
Field fires in Germany
Of the Western European countries, Germany has been hit hardest by drought. The first dried-out wheat plots went through the combine in the northeast of the country at the end of June. The quality is mediocre. Further south, yields are slightly below average or normal.
In Germany, not all rapeseed has yet been harvested and yields vary greatly per state (from 1,5 to a maximum of 5 tons per hectare in Bavaria). All winter barley is already in the field, with yields varying between 6 and 8 tons per hectare. However, with a lot of drought damage, 3,5 tons per hectare are also reported.
What is also striking is the high number of field fires in grain and stubble plots. The risks are high and will only increase in the coming weeks; 1 spark from a stone hitting the header blade is enough to ignite the whole thing. Spilled hot oil, in combination with a lot of dust development, is also a danger.
Drought in England affects wheat
The mild weather conditions ensure this United Kingdom (UK) predicts that yields are at a high level. It has been dry in the east of England for months, and this area is the breadbasket of the UK. The wheat harvest on clay soil is just starting there, as barley and rapeseed have priority. The growers are used to going home with 10 tons, but this year 9 tons comes first. The dried-out wheat is even more like 2 tons per hectare below this. The (malting) barley has actually survived the drought well; quality and yield are excellent.
French wheat harvest is not disappointing
Of the major European wheat producers, France currently has the best cards. The latest estimate from the French agricultural statistics agency puts an average harvest of 7,3 tons per hectare, which is 0,6 tons below last year's result. However, it is 1,2% above the multi-year average. Rapeseed in particular produces a lower yield and the kilos of barley are also disappointing. The wheat harvest is running at full speed in central and northern France.
Polish yield signed
Considering the prolonged drought in Poland, the yield figures are surprisingly mild. It is estimated that an average of 4,27 tons per hectare will be harvested, compared to 4,9 tons last year. It is a minus of 13% and a minus of 8,7% compared to the 5-year average. The yield loss of rapeseed is even lower (-19%).
The other grain types also have to make a sacrifice. The grain harvest has recently been halted by several showers. Thunderstorms brought large amounts of water, which is currently detrimental to the quality.
Rain in Russia and Ukraine
According to figures from the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, 23 million hectares of wheat had been harvested as of July 7,3; where last year it was 3,9 million hectares. The average hectare yield is 3,81 tons per hectare, compared to 4,58 tons last year. That is a reduction of 17%.
The harvest in the central part of Russia has yet to begin (on a large scale). The recent heavy rainfall (70 to 80 millimeters) means that the combines cannot get started. As a result, there are fears of loss of quality and further reductions in yield.
In Ukraine, 23% of the area under grains and legumes had been harvested as of July 62. This concerns 14,3 million tons of winter wheat, from 4,2 million hectares. Nearly 70% of the area has been harvested. The hectare yield is 3,39 tons per hectare. 7% of the spring wheat has been threshed. The grain harvest has now been completed in the port region of Odessa, the Ministry of Agriculture reports.