Regina yield low in Norfolk

2 August 2001



Regina yield low in Norfolk

“REGINA winter barley yield is very poor,” says David Pettitt, who farms at Rickinghall near Diss in Norfolk.

Twenty hectares (50 acres) had an estimated yield of 5.6t/ha (2.25t/acre), 1.2t/ha (0.5t/acre) below the farm average. Traditionally they do not grow large areas of the crop.

“There was poor soil structure due to the wet conditions through winter and we were in a three to fourth year cereal situation.” The barley was grown on heavier land, the soil on the farm ranges from heavy clay to sand.

The oilseed rape harvest looks more promising. There are 25ha (60 acres) of Apex and 5ha (12 acres) of Tradition, a new direct marketing variety for CPB Twfords. “It does not look very well where it was direct drilled, but it is looking good where it has been direct drilled.”

One hundred hectares (250 acres) of Soissons winter wheat has been desicated and a start should be made on Monday.

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