Wheat harvest in the Cambridge area is eight days ahead of normal, and early indications of yields are phenomenal, according to Philip Darke at Camgrain.

“We’ve had 30,000t of new crop into store so far, and some of the wheat yields are just ballistic,” he said.

Most crops ranged from 8t/ha on poorer ground to 13t/ha on stronger land – and farmers were very pleased with yields.

Bushel weights were good, comfortably averaging 80kg/hl, and Hagberg Falling Numbers were also fine, said Mr Darke. “But protein contents are low – in the low 10s % where farmers haven’t chased protein and about 12.5% where they have.”

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Oilseed rape yields were about average, with some farmers getting better than normal yields and others disappointed with poor performance.

But winter barley yields had been excellent, he added.

“There are some really big yields – plenty of people are getting 10t/ha with Venture, Volume and Glacier. But nitrogen contents are, as expected, on the low side.

“We’re now getting the first of the spring barley coming in, and there are some pretty reasonable yields and low nitrogens,” said Mr Darke.”

“However, on heavy, cloddy land the crops have droughted, so there’s a mixture of very good looking spring barley and some that’s not so good.”