THE NFU is calling on members to help answer important questions about the 2012 harvest.

This annual survey of combinable crops is the first source of published data on production levels in the UK, up to a month before Defra publishes the official statistics. Anecdotal evidence points to highly variable results so far this year.

Covering issues such as the impact of the wet summer, the results of higher winter crop areas and lower spring plantings and the effects of difficult field conditions, the survey will help form a picture of the wheat crop in England by mid-September. The aim is to produce an estimate of the whole harvest by early October.

NFU’s Guy Gagen said: “Without the information provided by members in previous seasons it would have been simply impossible to generate an accurate estimate, as we are relying on this input in order to maintain our accurate track record with harvest results.”