Peter Wombwell of Rectory Farm, Ickleton, Saffron Walden, planned to begin harvesting 22ha (55 acres) Prophet peas later today and he hoped to have them finished by tomorrow.

He said the peas looked dirty and thought the dry spring had made weeds the main problem. He had sprayed more than once and was concerned about how to control the weeds next year.

Mr Wombwell had finished 88ha (220 acres) of Castille and Excalibur oilseed rape with yields averaging 3.25t/ha (1.3 t/acre) and was waiting for oil content reports from Camgrain.  He began harvesting at 16% moisture, but finished below 8%.

Yields had been better (around 1.5t/acre) for oilseed rape on heavier land, although he suspected crops suffered due to the dry April.

Mr Wombwell was pleased with 20ha (50 acres) of light land-based Dalguise winter oats, which yielded 6t/ha (2.4 t/acre).

He had also cut 20ha (50 acres) of second wheat Cordiale, which came in at 15-18 % moisture and 13% protein.

Mr Wombwell also had Robigus, Solstice, some organic wheat and more Cordiale to cut, which he would begin when ripe, after the peas.

“The whole situation could change, but we’re feeling better with the better price margins. So far so good,” he ended.

Harvest underway
• Crop: Winter wheat
• Variety: Cordiale
• Area: 20ha
• Moisture content cut at: 15-18%
• Protein: 13% 

Completed harvest
• Crop: Oilseed rape
• Variety: Castille and Excalibur
• Area: 88ha
• Yield: 3.25 t/ha
• Moisture contents: 8%

• Crop: Winter oats
• Variety: Dalguise
• Area: 20ha
• Yield: 6t/ha
• Moisture contents: 8%