Gerald Erwin is pleased to have finished harvest at Nutts Corner, Crumlin, County Antrim, but says there are still 10-15% of crops to cut in the area.

“Thankfully we had a smaller acreage this year, so were a bit over-combined. We would normally cut 200-245ha but only did 140-160ha this year,” he said.

Wheat yields were very disappointing, with Einstein at about 6.2t/ha – about 2.5t/ha below normal.

“Quality suffered quite a bit, with low bushel weights.”

But Husky oats were only about 1.2t/ha below average, at 6.2-7.4t/ha. “We did some spring wheat for neighbours and it ended up as wholecrop because it was too wet and late ripening,” said Mr Erwin.

“Cattle forage is quite short so people have baled any green oat straw and put it down for silage.”

Of the remaining crops in arable areas, some were still not ripe, while others had suffered damage in the recent wet weather, he added.

“We haven’t drilled anything because the ground is still so wet. I want a better window before I sow a seed, but I’ve bought some slug pellets because our soil is covered in slugs – they’re going to be a major problem.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Einstein
Area: 20ha
Yield: 6.2t/ha

Crop: Winter oats
Variety: Husky
Area: 20ha
Yield: 6.2-7.4t/ha