Meurig Raymond hoped to finish his oilseed rape before the rain arrived in Pembrokeshire, Wales, although yields have proven disappointing.

“The crops looked superb all the way through and we were hoping to achieve 5t/ha (2t/acre),” he said. Instead, the 120ha (300 acres) of Grace, Bravo, Excel and Excalibur averaged 3.7-4.5t/ha (1.5-1.8t/acre).

Winter barley was yielding 5% above average, with the 60ha (150 acres) of Flagon and Suzuka coming in at 8t/ha (3.3t/acre). The Flagon was a good malting sample, too, at 1.6% nitrogen and 66kg/hl.

That left 53ha (130 acres) of Carat and Retriever to cut, followed by 243ha (600 acres) of Westminster spring barley, 200ha (500 acres) of winter wheat and 16ha (40 acres) of beans.

Crop: Winter barley
Varieties: Flagon and Suzuka
Area: 60ha (150 acres)
Yield: 8t/ha (3.3t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Grace, Bravo, Excel and Excalibur
Area: 120ha (300 acres)
Yield: 3.7-4.5t/ha (1.5-1.8t/acre)