Scotland's farmers have been making excellent hay and silage during the current heat-wave, and now combines are beginning to appear in an earlier than usual start to this year's Scottish harvest.

It is estimated that at least 10% of the UK combinable crop area has now been harvested. Progress has been good south-of-the-border, with 35% of winter barley and 45% of winter oilseed rape now harvested, and the first winter wheat cut.

In the southern counties, up to 80% of winter oilseed rape and winter barley is now safely in stores, with some farms having finished with these crops - while further north, combines have just started to roll.

Winter barley yields to date are typically better than farm averages with good quality, although there are reports of some low specific weights. Oilseed rape yields are also better than average, but lower than expected, given the good plant stands and good moisture status of soils.

On the negative side, reports of good harvest prospects throughout the EU and elsewhere around the world are depressing prices. Grain prices saw a short rise towards the end of last week as a consequence of the reported shooting of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in Ukraine, but returned to a negative trend this week.

Feed wheat is currently trading at around £130/tonne and feed barley at £110, both back about £40/tonne on this time last year.