Harvest 2026 begins
July 13, 2026
This year has delivered the earliest start to harvest we’ve ever had, kicking off on 6th July, more than a week ahead of any previous season. After an unusually hot spell and a dry spring, the rapeseed crop has come on fast. Conditions looked ideal, the crop looked good, so we decided to get going…
When too dry becomes a problem
We rolled out the combine full of optimism, only to discover the crop was too dry to cut. It’s a rare problem, but a real one: if rapeseed is overly dry, we can’t press the oil out properly, just as we can’t if it’s too wet. Getting the moisture level right is everything.
So we paused, regrouped, and decided to work in the early mornings when a touch of dew gives the crop just enough moisture to behave.
A burning smell and a farmer’s worst fear
The next morning we were back at it before sunrise and nearly had our first trailer filled when the combine (now a seasoned 16-year-old veteran) started giving off that unmistakable smell of something burning. At the same moment, every electrical alarm on the machine lit up. It’s the moment every farmer dreads.
A full inspection later, Stuart found the culprit: a broken fan belt caused by a bearing failure in the air conditioning unit. One call to the local engineers and, six hours later, we were back in business with no major damage done.
Machines that sit in the barn for ten months of the year often reveal their issues in the first few hours of work. All we could hope for was that this was our one big hiccup, and we can crack on with Harvest 2026 properly.
Day 3: Sunrise and a Fresh Start
Although the combine was fixed by the afternoon, the heat and dryness were back with a vengeance, so we stood down again and opted for an early night. Sometimes the smartest farming decision is simply to wait.
Day 3 arrived with a perfect sunrise, ideal conditions, and a renewed sense of hope. Everything looked spot on, so off we went.
If all continues smoothly, the rapeseed should be finished this week. Then we’ll have a short breather before the wheat comes in. Wheat is the main crop on the farm and marks the true busy period. Rapeseed is a gentler warm-up for all of us and we’re pretty chuffed with the yields so far.
