Russel Fraser was very pleased with his early wheat harvest in Retford, Nottinghamshire. Thirty hectares of Cordiale yielded 7t/ha which he said was expected for his sandy land given the dry weather.

The crop came in at 13.7% moisture, 14.85% protein and Hagbergs of 435. “I am very pleased with the quality, especially the high protein levels because it is going for milling next week.” However, he was surprised with bushel weights of 77 – 77.5kg/hl because of the dry weather.

This was the earliest he had ever started harvest, having begun cutting winter barley on 10 July. He said it had been a good year for winter barley with Pearl yielding 0.5t/ha more than last year at 6t/ha and 1.75% nitrogen. The good nitrogen was a bonus for him as it can be sold for malting. “I think the barleys must have benefited from the rain in May.”

Carat winter barley was 0.75t/ha up on last year at 6.8t/ha with a “bold sample”. He planned to start on the peas “before they start to shell” in the heat.

Mr Fraser added: “Harvest has been surprising considering the dry weather. We’re very pleased with how things have been going.”

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Variety: Cordiale
• Area: 30ha of 150ha
• Yield: 7t/ha
• Quality: 13.7% moisture, 14.85% protein, Hagberg 435, Bushel weight 77-75kg/hl

• Crop: Winter barley
• Variety: Pearl
• Area: 100ha winter barley in total
• Yield: 6t/ha
• Quality: 1.75% Nitrogen

• Crop: Winter barley
• Variety: Carat
• Area: 100ha winter barley in total
• Yield: 6.8t/ha
• Quality: N/A