Rain frustrates near Redlynch
Edward Parsons hasn’t combined anything for 11 days near Redlynch, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
“We’ve finished all of our own wheat at Templemans Farm, but are still waiting to cut wheat on contract,” he said.
“They want it at 16% but we keep getting massive storms, so it hasn’t dried out. It hasn’t been overly fit, so isn’t coming to any harm yet.”
Mr Parsons’ Solstice milling wheat yielded well at 10t/ha (4t/acre), although protein was a bit diluted at 12.5%.
Claire, also grown as a first wheat, matched that yield, but Solstice as a second wheat only did 7.4t/ha (3t/acre).
“We’re trying to phase out second wheats, because the gross margin is so bad.”
Tipple spring barley made the malting grade with a yield of 7.4t/ha (3t/acre), with secondary tillers coming to the rescue, he said. “I think it would have done 6.2t/ha (2.5t/acre) without them.”
Cabernet oilseed rape proved excellent, at 4.4-4.7t/ha (1.8-1.9t/acre). “We had dropped it because it looked so rubbish, and ordered Sesame for this autumn.
“But once we got the combine in, it did so well that we’ve switched back and drilled it again.”
Mr Parsons had sprayed off his linseed, which would be ready in two or three weeks, after three or four days contract combining the remaining wheat.
“Considering how bad the spring was, I’m quite pleased with harvest, overall.”
Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Solstice and Claire
Area: 138ha (340 acres)
Yield: 10t/ha (4t/acre)
Variety: Solstice
Area: 24ha (60 acres)
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)
Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Tipple
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)
Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Cabernet
Yield: 4.4-4.7t/ha (1.8-1.9t/acre)
