Andrew Craig finished cutting winter barley at Westwood Farm, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, yesterday (1 August), and hopes to start oilseed rape today.

“The barley was very variable – the best we’ve done was one field of Saffron at 8.4t/ha (3.4t/acre), with the worst field, also Saffron, at 6.7t/ha (2.7t/acre).”

Overall, the Saffron and Suzuka averaged about 7.8t/ha (3.15t/acre), with not much difference between the varieties.

“The Suzuka was plenty ripe enough and we were losing some heads. But I’m quite pleased with the yields – they are slightly above normal.”

The 120ha (300 acres) of Castille and Cabernet oilseed rape was only just ripening now, said Mr Craig. “We’ve had a lot of niggly showers over the past fortnight.

“But the wheat will be ready at the end of the week – everything is going to come at once.”

Both the wheat and oilseed rape looked well, he added. “There are some nice wheat crops round here – it looks quite promising.”

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Crop: Winter barley
Varieties: Saffron and Suzuka
Area: 70ha (175 acres)
Yield: 7.8t/ha (3.15t/acre)

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