Ian Moncrieff was surprisingly pleased with harvest progress at Berry Hill Farm, Dundee, where he was busy cutting wheat today (September 3).

He was about half way through his wheat and spring barley, and yields were quite pleasing. “Quite how the crops are so good I don’t know because we’ve had the most dreadful summer,” he said.

“Quality of the spring barley is good with low screening levels, and the wheat has a good specific weight – I’ve been quite surprised.”

Alchemy was fetching just under 9.9t/ha (4t/acre), and the Decanter spring barley was averaging over 6.2t/ha (2.5/tacre).

Late sown winter barley after potatoes averaged 7.4t/ha (3t/acre) despite a low specific weight. “I still managed to get £140/t for it which isn’t bad,” said Mr Moncrieff.

He had 60ha (150 acres) of wheat and barley left to cut, and hoped to finish within the next week.

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Alchemy
Yield: <9.9t/ha (4t/acre)

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Decanter
Yield: >6.2t/ha (2.5/tacre)

Crop: Winter barley
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)