Extraordinary Harvest 2026 - "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" | Crop Update 2026
#farming #agriculture
Join Agrochemical & Technical Director David Cairns, Seed Director Laura Beaty and Southern Supply Chain Manager Rob Austin as they provide the latest update on harvest 2026. With crops rapidly maturing, David & Laura discuss the latest progress across the trial site and the exciting news that Belter has now received full approval for brewing and distilling.
They also explain how Simpsons Malt evaluates promising new varieties through its macro-scale evaluation programme, following candidates from field trials through commercial-scale growing, malting and customer testing. They also introduce Ptarmigan, another exciting variety currently progressing through the evaluation pipeline, and discuss what qualities they look for when selecting the next generation of malting barley.
Meanwhile, Rob reports from East Anglia, where harvest is moving at remarkable speed. Drawing comparisons with the famous 1976 season, he discusses early concerns around screenings, nitrogen levels, grain quality and why market sentiment has shifted dramatically in recent weeks, with feed wheat prices rising sharply amid weather pressures across Europe and uncertainty surrounding Black Sea exports.
-
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
• Subscribe to Simpsons Malt TV – @SimpsonsMalt
• 'Like' us on Facebook – / simpsonsmalt
• Follow us on Twitter – / simpsonsmalt
• Follow us on Instagram – / simpsonsmalt
-
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SIMPSONS MALT
Simpsons Malt is one of the largest independent, family-owned malting companies in the world with the capacity to produce around 315,000 tonnes of malt per year at its two malting sites.
The company’s passion is a focus on making malts with taste, flavour and consistently high quality with the world’s best brewers and distillers in mind, helping them to craft the finest beers and whiskies.
From grain to glass, the company’s distilling malts are fully traceable, produced from two-row barley procured by agricultural merchanting division McCreath Simpson & Prentice (MSP).
After more than 160 years, Simpsons Malt continues to invest in state-of-the-art equipment at its two malting sites in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland and Tivetshall St Margaret, Norfolk, with this constant innovation and drive to improve processes ensuring the consistent production of malts with character.