Almost finished at Priors

Richard Brown has nearly finished harvest at Priors Farm, Peasemore, Berkshire, but still has 206ha (510 acres) of contract combining to do.


“We are getting there – and it wouldn’t take long to finish. We have 26ha (65 acres) of barley to get, and we may finish over the weekend if the forecast is right.”

However, son George had not combined for over a week at Sheepdrove Farm. “They don’t want to get on at less than 16.5% moisture, so we could have a few all-nighters to catch up there.

“I don’t think the wheat is suffering, but I have noticed a few split grains in the barley.”

So far the Tipple had averaged below 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre), which was about 1.2t/ha (0.5t/acre) less than normal.

Viscount winter wheat had come in 0.6t/ha (0.25t/acre) below average, at about 9.3t/ha (3.75t/acre). “We’re going back to Alchemy this year.”

Oilseed rape continued to disappoint, at 3.3t/ha (1.35t/acre), although oil content was high, said Mr Brown.

And Prophet peas were quite reasonable, considering the growing season, yielding 4.1t/ha (1.68t/acre).

“It has not been a disastrous harvest by a long way – I thought it would be a lot worse than it has been.”


Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Viscount
Yield: 9.3t/ha (3.75t/acre)


Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Tipple
Area: 40ha (100 acres)
Yield: <6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre)


Crop: Peas
Variety: Prophet
Yield: 4.1t/ha (1.68t/acre)


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