AHDB apologises for ‘error’ in harvest report

AHDB has apologised after an error was discovered in the background wheat yield data in this year’s Harvest Progress Report, published on 8^th August.

After feedback from growers and the wider industry the AHDB said it worked with its provider, The Andersons Centre, to investigate further, and Andersons identified an error.

AHDB said: “We recognise the pressures cereal farmers have faced this year, which have been compounded by extreme weather, challenging growing conditions, and increased costs.”

It added: “AHDB apologise for this error and remain committed to openness and transparency. We recognise how valuable this survey is to our levy payers, and we are working with Andersons to correct the issue as quickly as possible.”

AHDB’s second harvest report, which covered up to 23rd July, captured 10% of the wheat crop and revealed yields were 11% down on the five-year average.

However, with half the crop cut at the time of the second report on 8th August, the yield picture was said to look more positive, down 1% on average, though significant variability between farms was reported.

The specific error in the report has not yet been shared. A revised UK Harvest Progress Report, with data for the week ending 6th August, will be published on AHDB’s website in due course.

The levy board concluded: “AHDB takes feedback on our data and insights from levy payers extremely seriously. We will be reviewing our internal processes and methodology, as well as our work with third parties, to ensure the robustness and accuracy of future harvest progress reports.”

Heavy losses for some

Many farms have reported unusually early starts and conclusions to harvest this year, and yields have been variable across the country, with some suffering heavy losses.

Olly Harrison shared a video to X comparing grains from this year’s harvest to 2024 – last year three grains added up to 0.19g, whereas 14 grains from this year added up to the same weight.

“That is why we have had awful yields this year,” he said, comparing the significantly smaller grains to last year’s larger grain size. “That is what the drought has done and what it’s cost.”

Jeremy Clarkson described the harvest as ‘catastrophic’, saying he’s ‘put all our grain in a hoover bag’ – while the beans died, barley yields were ‘dismal’ and only two of the 400,000 beetroot plants grew.

Other farmers were quick to share similar experiences, with Ally Hunter Blair saying: ‘Worst harvest of my life to date. Hoping it’ll be my ’76 that Dad keeps telling me about.’

Suffolk farmer Tom Jewers said: ‘Worst harvest here in my memory. Upsides being that it was over quickly, didn’t use much diesel and there’s loads of room in the grain stores for the machinery still. And prices? At least the government has our backs, eh?’

Some, however, have reported more average yields, with Tom Martin sharing that winter beans and spring barley did a little better than expected at his Cambridgeshire farm, while winter wheat and winter barley were average overall. 

Read more harvest news.