In-between crops in Peterhead, Scotland

Doug Fowlie of Millhill Farm, Longside, Peterhead was waiting to begin spring barley and winter wheat after completing oilseed rape and winter barley.

Mr Fowlie cut 120ha (300 acres) of Pastoral winter barley for feed in. It yielded 8.75 t/ha (3.5 t/acre) at 19% and he was pleased with how it went.

Mendel oilseed rape followed with 140ha (350 acres) cut between 12-15% moisture, yielding just over 3.7t/ha (30 cwt/acre), which he was happy with.

Mr Fowlie worried about the possibility of blind grains in his 140ha (350 acres) of Optic and Oxbridge spring barley. It was still weeks away from harvest and could do with some sun.

He also had 80ha (200 acres) of Robigus winter wheat. It was suffering from yellow rust, septoria and Fusarium in the heads.

“Just every second day it has been wet, it’s been a devil to contend with in our small corner and I don’t think we’ve had it as bad here with the rain as others have had.”

• Crop: Winter barley
o Area: 120ha (300 acres) of
o Variety: Pastoral
o Yield: 8.75 t/ha (3.5 t/acre)
o Moisture: 19% 

• Crop: Oilseed rape
o Area: 140ha (350 acres)
o Variety: Mendel
o Moisture: 12-15%
o Yield: 3.7t/ha (30 cwt/acre)

*Harvest Highlights 2007 is sponsored by RAGT