Despite heavy rain on Tuesday, Nigel Horne hopes to have finished drilling wheat in Berks in the next three days.
"We've about a third left, or about 60ha," he said. "That'll just leave 67ha of beans to do later this month."
Home-saved Wizard seed for that operation at Catmore Farm, West Ilsley was tested by NIAB and shown to be free of ascochyta and stem nematode, he noted.
"The germination's a bit low at only 70% so we'll have to adjust the seed rate to allow for that."
Some time ago the crop used to be established by ploughing down broadcast seed.
"But for several years we've used a Shakaerator, without the vibration, with an Accord drill on top. The costs compare very favourably and we get much the same results."
Oilseed rape, Lioness as last year plus newcomer Catana, is somewhat patchy, he admitted.
"But there are some late emerging plants coming through. I treated about 10% against slugs and with hindsight I should probably have done more. But I'm a reluctant pellet user."
For his wheats home-saved Gladiator has been joined by Solstice, replacing Malacca.
"We grew Solstice the year before last. It's now Group 1, and it averaged 9.6t/ha with full milling spec."
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