Waitrose has begun its earliest harvest of wheat and oilseed rape at its Hampshire-based farm in the Leckford Estate.

The retailer is the only UK supermarket to own and operate its own farm and has started its harvesting schedules ahead of the traditional calendar.

This move is due to the ongoing heatwaves across the country, which led to crops ripening faster than usual during this year.

Dave Miles, farm manager at the Leckford Estate said: “The record-breaking heat we are experiencing is a stark wake-up call to our changing climate.

“Due to these unprecedented temperatures, this is the earliest wheat harvest we have ever seen, and our teams have been working tirelessly to bring the crop in safely.

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“It is a powerful reminder of why regenerative farming and farming with nature is so essential. By building healthier soil with high organic matter, we can dramatically increase water retention, keeping crops viable even in extreme drought conditions.”

Waitrose’s Leckford Estate spans across 2,800 acres and is used as a trial area for sustainable farming practices to ensure the supermarket’s commitment to regenerative agriculture is practised.

Last year the supermarket retailer invested £1m and launched a new collaboration with the Soil Association Exchange and Regenified in a bid to develop its support for regenerative farming practices.

The Leckford Estate has been practising regenerative agriculture methods since 2020 as part of its push towards eco-friendly farming.