In Europe, 74 samples were collected from blackgrass, Italian ryegrass and loose silky bent survivors from predominantly cereal fields in Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Poland and Benelux countries, said Dr Alexander Zeller, European herbicide portfolio manager for UPL.  

Across those samples, Centurion Max provided an average of 98.7% control of the grassweeds grown by the specialist German company Agris42 from the seed samples collected, compared with just 66% control from mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron and 79% with pyroxsulam + pinoxaden.  

The expert said: “I think it proves that using clethodim in oilseed rape or sugar beet can be a resistance-breaking opportunity within a predominantly cereals rotation.” 

It does not mean, however, that resistance is not present in grassweed populations, stresses Tom Wheelhouse, UPL technical specialist in the UK.  

Dosage and right conditions are of key importance

Survey work conducted by expert Dr Stephen Moss when he worked at Rothamsted Research from 2011 to 2014 found two gene mutations that allowed grassweeds to potentially overcome the inhibition of the enzyme acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) by ‘fop’ and ‘dim’ herbicides, including clethodim. Inhibiting that enzyme disrupts lipid biosynthesis, leading to plant death.  

One of the mutations, I-1781-L, was found to be present in 85% of the blackgrass populations at the time, with the second mutation, A-2078-G, present in only 8%, adds Tom. In Italian ryegrass, the situation was reversed, with 57% of the population carrying the 2078 mutation, compared with 31% for the 1781 mutation.  

Mr Wheelhouse said: “Clethodim is much more affected by the presence of 2078, and less so by 1781, whereas the other ACCase products, such as cycloxydim, are heavily affected by 1781.” 

No further widescale testing of grassweed populations in the UK has been conducted since that time to determine if the relative accumulation of mutations has shifted, although Mr Wheelhouse said that the expectation was that the data would still be representative of the current population in 2024.  

Sampling in the UK last season took a different approach to that in mainland Europe, with samples targeted from fields with a known problem with clethodim control. Not surprisingly, resistance tests using these seeds showed more issues with control, although not for all samples.

One blackgrass sample from the seven collected clearly showed the population was susceptible to clethodim, he added. “That points to the clethodim issue being either poor timing or application technique rather than resistance.” 

Two populations showed similar levels of control to a known population carrying the 1781 mutation. “Using the equivalent dose in the lab test as a field rate of 1 L/ha of clethodim gives around 80% control, which suggests that application or timing and not resistance are driving the issue in the field,” Mr Wheelhouse noted. 

The other four populations were likely to carry the 2078 mutation and be the cause of the poor performance in the field, he suggests. The difference highlights the importance of testing populations, particularly after poor performance in the field.   

Practically, the results emphasise the need to adhere to good stewardship and practices when using clethodim. “In particular, making applications in the right conditions, paying attention to application technique, such as operating at the correct boom height and not going too fast, always include a water conditioner and use a minimum water volume of 150 L/ha. 

“Don’t fit application rate to the field size to avoid having product left over – use the correct dose, and make sure the target weed is at the correct growth stage and is actively growing,” Mr Wheelhouse said. 

‘Don’t push the boundaries.’

In oilseed rape, clethodim should not be applied after 15th October or to crops with more than six true leaves (TL). “If you push the boundaries, that’s when there is potential to cause injury to the crop, in particular if the plant has progressed into the reproductive phases of growth and is beginning to shut down for winter; it doesn’t metabolise the chemical quickly enough, and that’s why you eventually see fused flowers or abortion.” 

That can cause a challenge with timing with the current practice of drilling the crop either very early in August or before or into September. Early drilling could reach that 6 TL stage quickly and potentially before the weed reaches the ideal growth stage of two leaves to one tiller, or when conditions are such that the weed isn’t actively growing, the expert explained.  

Later-drilled crops might not have grassweeds at the target growth stage before the 15 October cut-off, especially where growers have taken advantage of the extra time to create a stale seedbed and spray off emerged grassweeds with glyphosate before drilling.  

Mr Wheelhouse continued: “Understandably, most growers are not balancing decisions about drilling oilseed rape relative to when grassweeds will emerge. But it is something to consider.” 

Centurion Max should only be used as part of a programme, which starts with cultural control, with follow-up applications of propyzamide at least 10-14 days after clethodim applications, he concluded.

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Developed by Fielder Nutrition, the product – named Surge – is among the first to merge biological inoculants with a targeted micronutrient package, aiming to give crops both a biological and nutritional edge from the earliest stages of development.

The formulation includes three UK-derived bacillus strains, which have been proven to significantly improve root growth, stimulate enhanced germination and support the plant’s ability to cope with stress conditions.

Further to this, the bacillus strains work to enhance the soil and reduce the need for other synthetic inputs as they solubilise P in the soul and fix nitrogen.

Complementing this microbial blend is a manganese-rich micronutrient mix, designed to further encourage root expansion and early nutrient uptake.

Fielder Nutrition director Robert Hawkin says Surge stands apart from traditional seed treatments:

“The interaction between the microbes and the micronutrients is unlike anything we’ve seen before – it enhances germination and seedling vigour, helping the plant access water and nutrients more effectively through a more developed root system.”

A closer look at Surge

The development of Surge began five years ago, with the product undergoing extensive field evaluations across the UK to ensure strong performance under British growing conditions.

One of the contributors to its design is Dr. Apostolos Papadopoulos, a specialist in Bacillus microbiology.

“Surge is built around a biological core – specifically, beneficial Bacillus bacteria – which are included to support the early stages of crop growth and long-term plant vitality,” says Dr Papadopoulos.

“These are naturally occurring, spore-forming microbes that colonise the root zone at germination, forming a mutually beneficial interaction with the plant.”

He explains that Surge works through multiple mechanisms:

• Encouraging early and vigorous root development, which helps seedlings access water and nutrients more effectively
• Increasing phosphorus availability in the soil through microbial solubilisation
• Enhancing the plant’s tolerance to stress, both environmental and disease-related, by improving root-soil dynamics and triggering internal defence responses.

“Although the results might not always be visible above ground straight away,” he adds, “the biological activity contributes to more even crop emergence and stronger early vigour – which can lead to more reliable yields, especially when growing conditions are less than ideal.”

According to Dr. Papadopoulos, Surge also differs from many of the microbial seed treatments currently on the market.

“What sets it apart is that its Bacillus strains have been selected and trialled specifically in the UK, rather than being adapted from overseas formulas.

This regional focus means it’s well matched to the crops, soils, and environmental conditions encountered by British farmers – giving it a clear performance edge.”

Bridging the gap

Over five growing seasons, independent UK field trials and farmer-led trials have recorded average yield increases of 5%, with even more pronounced benefits under challenging conditions like drought stress.

Recent collaborative trials with the University of Nottingham have also highlighted the product’s potential to support natural disease resistance.

In winter wheat, plants treated with Surge showed up to 50% less yellow rust and reduced fusarium infection within three weeks of sowing compared to untreated controls.

Researchers attributed this to the ability of Bacillus strains to activate plant defence signalling and trigger production of protective proteins.

Promoting sustainability is also a key part of Surge’s appeal. The microbial strains are known to aid phosphorus solubilisation and biological nitrogen activity, reducing reliance on synthetic inputs.

Importantly, the product is compatible with conventional fungicide and nutrition-based seed treatments, offering flexibility for integrated use.

Surge is available through your local seed house or agricultural merchant and growers interested in the technology are encouraged to speak with Fielder Nutrition’s team for more details:

• robert@fieldernutrition.com
• 01743 860924

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The organisers said: “By bringing together the UK’s largest showcase of agricultural machinery and technology with the leading arable sector event, this co-location creates an unparalleled one-stop shop where exhibitors gain access to a powerful, combined arable audience.”

Over recent years, LAMMA and CropTec have each grown as stand-alone events with distinct strengths and audiences.

LAMMA has long been recognised as one of the UK’s premier destinations for agricultural machinery, innovation, and business networking, attracting over 600 exhibitors and attendees representing more than 6.6 million hectares of UK farmland.

CropTec, meanwhile, has become a specialised hub for the arable sector, spotlighting critical industry issues from crop varieties and disease management to pioneering technology and regulatory updates.

Arable and machinery technology in one place

The co-location at LAMMA 2026 is set to combine these strengths, providing exhibitors a unique opportunity to engage with an expanded audience and offering visitors a streamlined experience where they can explore everything the arable sector has to offer, all in one place.

Event portfolio director Sarah Whittaker-Smith said: “This collaboration is about providing real value to our exhibitors and attendees by reducing the time pressures on our busy farmers.

“Farmers who may have previously only attended one event now have a compelling reason to attend both, giving them access to innovations, insights, and industry expertise across both machinery and arable technology.”

Key benefits of the LAMMA and CropTec co-location

• Access to a robust combined audience: Over 29% of LAMMA’s 34,580 attendees in 2024 were arable and grassland farmers, many of whom had not attended CropTec 2023. With 9,765 farmers in this category alone, exhibitors can look forward to engaging a fresh, substantial audience.

• Increased convenience and efficiency for visitors: Recognising that farmers are often time-poor, the co-location offers a consolidated, efficient experience where they can connect with both machinery experts and arable specialists in a single venue. This streamlines their ability to access critical insights and products essential for their farm’s success and sustainability.

• Future-focused innovation at every turn: By uniting LAMMA’s machinery focus with CropTec’s emphasis on arable technology and future-proofing, the combined event ensures that attendees are equipped with actionable strategies and state-of-the-art solutions to help them navigate the evolving landscape of agriculture.

The organisers said that LAMMA and CropTec will continue their individual missions, but this co-location represents a strategic move to help farmers access the tools and knowledge they need to thrive.

For the first time, attendees will find cutting-edge machinery alongside the latest advancements in AI, robotics, gene-editing, and controlled environment agriculture, all under one roof.

Visitors will also benefit from CropTec’s three keynote theatres, focusing on innovation, knowledge, and profit, providing practical guidance on driving profitability and sustainability on the farm.

READ MORE: GALLERY: LAMMA 2025 in photos

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Rachel Banks, technical manager at Bayer, recommends a diverse herbicide programme to maximise control.

Effective integrated weed management starts with cultural controls to reduce the size of the weed seedbank. But once the crop is drilled, the herbicide programme takes centre stage with residual herbicides at pre-em and follow-up applications.

Diversity is key. Use different actives within the programme to improve control and manage resistance.

Each active is unique. Factor in the mode of action (MoA), root or shoot activity, and longevity to make a balanced herbicide programme that copes with variable conditions and delivers high levels of control.

Strong start to the programme

An effective pre-em sets the standard for the season, so it’s important to start strong.

Metribuzin co-forms like Alternator® Met, Octavian® Met and Cadou® Met contain three different MoAs with root and shoot activity. Including Proclus® adds a fourth MoA to improve control and increase longevity in the programme.

Also, it is less reliant on soil moisture for efficacy than many other actives, so it will be even more valuable this autumn if dry conditions continue.

This combination of proven herbicides offers excellent control of black-grass, Italian ryegrass and brome species with the flexibility to follow up with more chemistry in the toughest situations.

Graph 1: Excellent Italian ryegrass control

Graph 2: Good black-grass control – use in a tight sequence with other chemistry for maximum effect

Root or shoot activity

The most effective herbicide programmes have a combination of root and shoot activity to attack weeds in different ways.

Herbicides like flufenacet, metribuzin and cinmethylin are more soluble and move through the soil for uptake by the roots of germinating weeds. Make sure there is sufficient soil moisture and a good quality seedbed without impermeable barriers for these actives to perform at their best.

Proclus® and diflufenican are not mobile – they remain at the soil surface. Weeds take in these herbicides as the shoots emerge out of the soil.

Less reliant on soil moisture for efficacy, aim for consistent coverage across the field to form a protective layer on the surface. A fine, firm seedbed free of clods helps with this.

Protection throughout autumn

The pre-em controls weeds which germinate due to disturbance from drilling. But further germination is a problem too, earlier drilled crops and Italian ryegrass are situations where continued protection is very important.

Each active degrades at a different rate so it controls germinating weeds for different lengths of time. Be sure to include herbicides with good longevity like Proclus® in the programme.

In general, all actives degrade more quickly in warm and moist conditions. Herbicides applied later in autumn, after delayed drilling for example, have better longevity because of cooler weather.

Topping up is another way to build in more protection. A second or even third herbicide application controls subsequent weed germination. If expecting protracted germination of Italian ryegrass, plan to come back 2–4 weeks after the pre-em.

For black-grass, we normally recommend a short gap of 1–2 weeks for any follow up spray because black-grass germination is far more concentrated around early/mid-October.

What is a MoA?

The MoA is the chemical basis for how a herbicide kills a weed. Different herbicides can have the same MoA. For example, prosulfocarb, tri-allate and flufenacet all inhibit cells from making very long-chain fatty acids, disrupting cell division. They’re all in the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) Group 15.

In contrast, diflufenican is in Group 12 as it inhibits an enzyme phytoene desaturase, which is important in photosynthesis.

For autumn, there are six different MoAs available for the residual programme; HRAC Groups 3, 5, 12, 15, 30, 32. Growers can also use contact-acting chemistry after weed emergence, Atlantis® OD contains mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron, both from HRAC Group 2.

For resistance management, use actives from different HRAC MoA groups and avoid using any active in the programme more than once.

How MoA diversity improves control

Bayer has done trials in conjunction with NIAB to measure the benefit of more MoAs in the programme. Normally trials look at products at full rate, which is how farmers use them and what we generally recommend for resistance management.

But these trials don’t easily show if control is thanks to diverse MoA or just the effect of applying more herbicide in total. The trial with NIAB was designed to split out these two variables.

Two years of trials showed that MoA diversity improved efficacy. The effect was more pronounced in Italian ryegrass than black-grass.

In practical terms it means that mode of action diversity is not just about long-term stewardship but about better short-term control too. In addition to chemical controls, cultural controls also stack together to increase efficacy.

The starting point was an untreated September drilled crop. Next, higher seed rates were tested, then October drilling and higher seed rates.

Shifting to October drilling had a huge impact on overall control. On top of cultural controls, a single active programme was compared to diverse modes of action. Control from the diverse programme was far superior.

Graph 3: Stacking controls for Italian rye-grass control

Broadleaf weeds

Check broadleaf weed activity of specific herbicides to match the problem in your field.

A metribuzin co-form like Alternator® Met, Octavian® Met and Cadou® Met + Proclus® has activity on some of the most serious broadleaf weeds including cleavers, groundsel and mayweed.

Safe application – best practice

Root-acting herbicides can affect crops too. Drilling depth and quality is very important to keep herbicides away from crop roots.

• Drill to at least 32mm
• Closed slots with no exposed seed
• Avoid applications when heavy rain is forecast
• Be cautious on lighter soils
• Sequences are safer than large tank-mixes.

All other brand names used are Trademarks of other manufacturers in which proprietary rights may exist. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on the label. For further information, including contact details, visit the Bayer website or call 0808 1969522.

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With relatively firm prices for wheat and barley straw, baling could make financial sense for arable farmers with easy access to markets. There are some good agronomic reasons too, such as aiding direct drilling, reducing slug pressure, and reducing the immobilisation of nitrogen where white straw residues build up.

However, Hutchinsons’ fertiliser and crop nutrition specialist, Rob Jewers, explained that such benefits must be weighed against other factors, including the compaction risk from increased traffic, any impact the timeliness of straw removal will have on establishing following crops, and the impact of lost organic matter on soil health and structure.

Another important consideration is the value of key nutrients removed within the straw, principally phosphate and potash.

Figures from the AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) estimate a 10 t/ha wheat crop removes around 5 kg/ha of phosphate and 50 kg/ha of potash in straw (compared with 65 kg/ha of phosphate and 55 kg/ha potash in grain), while for an 8 t/ha winter barley crop, removal in straw is slightly less at 4 kg/ha and 40 kg/ha respectively (64 kg/ha and 44 kg/ha in grain).

Mr Jewers said: “The potash content of straw can vary substantially depending on the amount of water availability during crop maturity and straw baling. It can, therefore, be worthwhile to determine the nutrient content of representative straw samples by laboratory analysis.”

Replace lost nutrients

If growers do decide to bale, Mr Jewers advises that some of the money made from straw sales should be reinvested back into replacing the nutrition removed.

“Phosphate fertiliser is usually best applied to seedbeds ahead of, or at planting,” he said. This is often as organic manure applications or broadcast in traditional fertilisers, such as DAP and TSP.

But microgranular or liquid placement fertilisers are increasingly popular and can deliver significant benefits to rooting and early crop vigour.

The expert continued: “Placement fertilisers are applied in much smaller, concentrated quantities than traditional fertilisers and are therefore highly efficient and cost-effective.”

Indeed, trials at Helix East Anglia in 2022 showed yield responses of 0.8 t/ha and 0.6 t/ha from using the placement fertilisers Crystal Green and Primary-P over an untreated control.

For potassium, Mr Jewers said that although crops do require large amounts through the season for optimum growth – potentially more than 300 kg/ha in a high-yielding crop – uptake usually peaks during late flowering, before much of the potassium is returned to the soil as crops senesce.

“In order to maintain an adequate supply of K through the peak uptake period, the soil needs to be able to store and release exchangeable K into the soil solution. A good measure of the soil’s ability to do this is its cation exchange capacity (CEC).”

Clay and organic matter content have a significant impact on soil CEC, he added. “A soil with over 5% organic matter, or equally, over 5% clay content, will lose little K to leaching, whereas a sandy soil with low CEC will allow K to move down the soil profile with excess rainfall.

“Soils with low indices and low CEC should have K applied annually. This should be applied in the spring before peak uptake by the plant,” the expert concluded.

To fully understand the P & K requirements of your soils, Mr Jewers recommends having in-depth soil analysis carried out, such as the Gold Healthy Soils test or Terramap high-definition scanning – see more here.

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Following a five-star food safety hygiene rating from West Oxfordshire District Council, the farm is now able to sell its gourmet mushrooms, all of which have been grown on spawn-inoculated substrate created from sawdust and the recycled coffee grounds from the 440,000 cups of coffee sold at Blenheim Palace every year.  

When the mushroom farm is running at full capacity, 15kg of mushrooms will be sent each week to the kitchens at Blenheim Palace, including the popular Walled Garden Pizzeria. The remaining 100kg will be sold locally through the OxFarmToFork platform and local farmers’ markets.  

OxFarmToFork is a collaborative project led by Good Food Oxfordshire that connects Oxfordshire caterers directly with local agroecological food producers. By simplifying the supply chain, this empowers producers, enhances food security, and helps institutions source sustainable, local produce that support the community and planet.  

Over 20 Oxfordshire venues, including Michelin-starred restaurants local to the Blenheim Palace, have expressed interest in buying mushrooms from the estate’s farm.

‘Final piece of the puzzle’

The mushroom farm, based in Combe, Oxfordshire, consists of three units – one for preparation of the substrate and inoculation with mushroom spawn, one for incubation, and a fruiting room.  

Roy Cox, managing director at Estates at Blenheim Palace, said: “The mushroom harvest is the final piece of the puzzle, which completes this self-sustaining circular ecosystem. It’s incredible to see mushrooms in our restaurant kitchens which have been grown using our own organic waste, and it’s another major step towards us becoming a net zero business by 2027.” 

The mushroom farm with recovery to biochar growing medium is the latest stage in the Country Estate Carbon Demonstrator Project, Blenheim Estate’s collaboration with visionary circular bioeconomy company Tumblebug.  

The Country Estate Carbon Demonstrator Project unlocks the value of Blenheim’s organic waste (food, coffee, compostable packaging, card, manure, green horticultural waste, forestry waste and sheep wool) using Tumblebug’s Ecobot machines, mushroom farm and pyrolysis technology. 

Once harvested, the spent substrate from the mushroom growing is converted to a peat-free biochar compost in the Walled Garden, using Tumblebug’s aerated static pile compost system. The compost is used to grow produce and the cycle begins again. 

Tumblebug founder and CEO, Sylvie Verinder, added: “We called the company Tumblebug, the friendly name for the dung beetle.  

“By embracing the spirit of the dung beetle, we are unlocking the value in organic waste at Blenheim – capturing carbon, growing these beautiful mushrooms, creating biochar and using it to produce peat-free compost and fertiliser – restoring soils, and building resilience in food supply chains.  

“This is a demonstrator – we hope others will come and see and adopt the model on their farms and estates.” 

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Mr Aveling grows oats, wheat and barley on 80 hectares of farmland in Towcester. He recently started harvesting RGT Southwark winter oats at 14% moisture level, having drilled the crop in October. 

According to Mr Aveling, there are no issues regarding grain quality, except the thin shape. 

At the time of writing he had harvested 15ha of oats, with 65ha of spring oats, spring barley and winter wheat still to cut. 

The Northamptonshire farmer said: “Harvest definitely started earlier this year; a couple of weeks at least would be my approximation. 

“Unfortunately, the yields are below average. It’s been about 5t/ha, which would be approximately 50% down on yield.  

“We also noticed that heavier land crops have fared a lot better than the lighter land crops.” 

Mr Aveling has recently appeared on the Farmers Guide Podcast to talk about the highs and lows of his diversifications over the past 20 years.

READ MORE: Harvest update: ‘It’s the earliest harvest we’ve ever had’

READ MORE: First harvest report of 2025 released earlier due to long dry spell

READ MORE: Farmers provide update on harvest 2025

READ MORE: Harvest update: Farmers kick off early harvest 2025

Read more arable news.

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With some areas already seeing beet moth activity, British Sugar and NFU Sugar, supported by early findings from the BBRO and European data supplied by FMC, submitted an emergency authorisation request for the option of Coragen application for effective control of the pest in this year’s crop.

This emergency authorisation for use started on 4th July 2025 and will end on 30th September 2025.

NFU Sugar and British Sugar are reminding growers that they must record:

· the date and locations of treatment,

· the number of treated hectares,

· percentage of crop affected by beet moth, and

· fate of the sugar beet tops.

Beet tops must not be fed/grazed by any livestock.

British Sugar will contact all growers after the emergency authorisation expiry date to collect information on the use of Coragen in the 2025 crop.

Concerns about beet moth

BBRO confirmed that there are increasing concerns regarding beet moth this year, with the hot, dry weather being conducive for its reproduction and spread.

Unlike other species, the beet moth caterpillars tend to mine into the stems and crown, causing damage to the hearts of the beets. In some areas, the beet moth appears to have been flying since late April and could potentially carry on until October if the weather remains conducive for their flight.

This adds to the pressure of determining the best time to apply sprays. Potentially the best timing is at egg hatch, with the threshold for treatment in several other European countries being when 10% of plants show damage to the heart leaves, BBRO experts said.

They added: “We are continuing pheromone monitoring and have an ongoing project to better understand the beet moth life cycle at Warwick University, as the exact time of egg-laying and hatching is not currently known.

“Drought-stressed canopies will be at higher risk for beet moth infestation as the crown will be more exposed for moths to lay their eggs and caterpillars to burrow into.”

BBRO confirmed that Coragen can be applied up to the 30th September 2025 and has a harvest interval of 21 days.

It is important to note that the Coragen label states it must not be applied to any crop suffering from stress, for example, as a result of drought or disease attack. Some pyrethroids, such as those containing the active cypermethrin, are also available with label approval for caterpillars, however, these actives will have wider impacts on beneficial insects.

To aid actives reaching the target caterpillars, high water volumes are required to penetrate the canopy, BBRO experts concluded.

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Michael Shuldham of breeders NPZ UK said that a review of the oilseed rape trial plots at the site in Cambridge shows the pressure on some varieties following a tough, dry season.

He added: “We have a lot of Verticillium pressure in our oilseed rape trial, and where we see a combination of Phoma and Verticillium, the results can be devastating.

“Take this widely grown variety as an example. It has Rlm7 and pod shatter, but the stems and whole plant are dead, as the plant has senesced far too early, no longer able to take up nutrients or to support itself.”

Protecting OSR crops

Mr Shuldham explained that Rlm7 is a cotelydon resistance. It acts to stop a phoma lesion forming on the leaf, but when it is overcome, it has no effect against stem canker.

“We have seen a big breakdown of Rlm7 in recent years, and it is clear that on its own it is no longer enough to protect our rape crops.

“It underlines that RlmS, Rlm12 and Verticillium tolerance are the real keys to holding onto yield all the way to harvest.

“RlmS and Rlm12 work to stop the infection travelling down the petiole into the stem, stopping stem canker from forming,” the expert continued.

Mr Shuldham added that growers need to focus very strongly on RlmS or Rlm12-backed hybrid varieties for their oilseed rape this autumn.

“It’s the best way to keep their crops as clean as possible and reduce their risk of losing out before harvest even arrives.

“In our trials, Maverick with RlmS plus Rlm7 and our other oilseed rape varieties, such as our candidate Karat with RlmS plusRlm12, are showing the benefits of strong stem health from these genetics,” he concluded.

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The first harvest report of the 2025/26 season, covering the beginning of the harvest up to 9th July 2025, has just been released.

Produced with data collected by The Andersons Centre and compiled by AHDB, the report is based on a sample survey of farmers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and will provide figures on harvest progress throughout the harvest season.

The heavy rainfall that occurred during the weekend of 5th and 6th July caused a slight pause in combining, but since then, the harvest pace has picked up. Winter barley harvest is progressing rapidly, owing to the dry weather either side of 5th and 6th July, the report has revealed.

However, progress is highly variable both within and between regions. Of those surveyed across the UK, 10 percent of winter barley crops are reported to have been harvested.

While some oilseed rape has now been cut, no progress was reported by participants in this survey. Reports of yields in the earliest cut oilseed rape have been encouraging, though variable.

The progress

Due to the hot temperatures forecast for the coming days, growers have been warned to be mindful of temperature claims when going into stores so they do not incur cooling charges or even face a load being rejected because its temperature is greater than 25 degrees.

Overall, it is estimated that 10 percent of the UK winter barley area was harvested by 9th July 2025.

AHDB said that this is ahead of the same time last year when harvest was 7 percent complete, and the five-year average of 6 percent complete at this point in the season.

Harvest is expected to continue progressing well in the coming fortnight, with winter barley harvesting already complete for some farms. There will now be a gap for many before winter wheat harvest starts, while some will move straight into harvesting oilseed rape.

READ MORE: Harvest update: ‘It’s the earliest harvest we’ve ever had’

‘Positive’ yields

Olivia Bonser, AHDB cereals & oilseeds senior analyst, said: “Given that we are at an early stage in the season, and that weather has been variable in the approach to harvest, there will inevitably be variation in farms across the country.

“As can be expected, some regions have only seen minimal progress at this point. As such, early yield data may well be skewed and should not be considered representative of the whole country. Information on quality is also limited at this point.”

Ms Bonser explained that so far, progress has only been recorded in the Eastern and South Eastern regions in this survey. However, harvest has begun in other regions too.

In the Eastern region, 38 percent of winter barley is reported to have been harvested. This ranges from some farms that are yet to start to others who have now finished. In the South East, 19 percent of the crop has been harvested.

For farms further north and west, harvest is expected to start early next week.

Straw volumes are proving a challenge so far this season, with some noticeably short crops due to the prolonged warm and dry weather.

Yields of winter barley have been reported as ‘positive’, despite the dry weather seen during the latter stage of crop development. Reported UK yields averaged 6.9 t/ha, up 2 percent on the five-year average. Reported yields range from 6.8 to 7.0 t/ha. However, it can be expected that these figures will change as more data is collected.

Regarding quality, there is currently limited quality data available, AHDB said. More information will be published in the next harvest report, however, initial specific weights in the Eastern region are good and are as high as 70 kg/hl in some areas.

No issues with nitrogen levels have been reported. Moisture levels of crops harvested to date have averaged 13.6 per cent.

This is the first report of 2025. The second report of 2025 is scheduled for release at the end of July.

READ MORE: Farmers provide update on harvest 2025

READ MORE: Harvest update: Farmers kick off early harvest 2025

Read more arable news.

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