Northern Pasta Co has warned of an “unprecedented start” to this year’s harvest among its farmers.
The extreme heat and dry weather are expected to have implications “stretching well beyond this year’s crop”.
The pasta brand said the season had a noticeably early start of 30 June compared with a typical start around 12 July.
“We’ll likely finish harvest before August, which is almost unheard of, but that speed doesn’t put us ahead for next year,” said Ed Horton, regenerative farmer supplying Northern Pasta Co. “Our cover crops need moisture to germinate, and in this heat there’s no point planting seed that won’t grow.
“And with heavy machinery running in tinder-dry fields in high temperatures, wildfire risk is a real and growing concern – for us, for our neighbours, and for the wildlife around us.”
The warnings add to growing concerns from farmers that the season will be a particularly challenging one due to weather conditions. Farmers have recorded lower than anticipated yields, with many in the east of England seeing production decrease by almost 50%.
The harvest is also currently the driest on record in terms of grain moisture.
Cereal crops must be supplied at 14.5% moisture content or below, but this year they are averaging at just 10%-11% – well under the ceiling.
Oilseed rape has been particularly challenged, with moisture levels of between 6%-9% and needing to be cut overnight to keep moisture above the 6% threshold.
“Because we’re paid by weight rather than volume, that dryness is quietly eating into our margins, even though early signs on protein and Hagberg falling numbers – the markers that matter most for flour quality – are looking strong,” added Horton.
The pasta brand has said this season has been a clear reminder of why regenerative farming “matters more than ever” as resilience built into regenerative practices “protects future harvests when conditions turn unpredictable”.
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