Harvest is going well at Duncan Whiteman’s Arlescott Farm, Telford, Shropshire, although progress in the area is mixed.

“We are about 65% through harvest, and most people are about the same, although my neighbour has got some oats that have gone flat, and there is still some oilseed rape to do in the area.”

Sharp rains on Saturday put paid to combining on Sunday, but Mr Whiteman cut 18ha (45 acres) yesterday (30 August) and hopes to be on again today.

“It looks like we’ve got a good week ahead, although the forecast has been way out this year. We’ve got about six days’ combining left.”

Alchemy and Ambrosia winter wheat was yielding 8.6t-9.3t/ha (3.5-3.75t/acre).

“There is a little bit of sprouting which has just started in the Ambrosia, and although the straw is not very golden now the ears haven’t gone black, so there are no mycotoxin issues.”

Mr Whiteman hoped to cut Solstice milling wheat this afternoon. “I think we are too late – we just couldn’t get at it.”

Mascani winter oats were very pleasing at 8.2t/ha (3.3t/acre), above last year, while Castille oilseed rape produced a record 4.2t/ha (1.7t/acre).

Saffron winter barley averaged 6.4t/ha (2.6t/acre). “I was very happy with the barley, oats and rape, especially considering the dry spring.”

Next year’s rapeseed was drilled and growing well. “We are actually a bit ahead of ourselves, for once.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Alchemy and Ambrosia
Yield: 8.6-9.3t/ha (3.5-3.75t/acre)

Crop: Winter oats
Variety: Mascani
Yield: 8.2t/ha (3.3t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Castille
Area: 32ha (80 acres)
Yield: 4.2t/ha (1.7t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Saffron
Yield: 6.4t/ha (2.6t/acre)