Michael Manners is lifting potatoes today (8 September) at Conicliffe Grange, Staindrop, Durham, having finished cereal harvest about a week ago.

“It’s been very stop-start, but wheat yields have been good, averaging 10.8t/ha (4.37t/acre).”

Oakley topped the table, as expected, he said.

“The Grafton did extremely well as a second wheat, but the Viscount after rapeseed didn’t do as well as last year, when it followed potatoes.”

Mr Manners was now lifting Hermes potatoes. “They are unbelievable – they’re probably doing 62-64t/ha (25-26t/acre).

“That’s far more than we budgeted for, and more than anyone wants, which is a bit of a problem, so we’ll just put them into store for now.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Grafton, Viscount and Oakley
Area: 200ha (500 acres)
Yield: 10.8t/ha (4.37t/acre)

Crop: Potatoes
Variety: Hermes
Yield: 62-64t/ha (25-26t/acre)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Marcant and Expower
Yield: 5t/ha (2t/acre)

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Volume
Yield: 8t/ha (3.2t/acre)

View Harvest Highlights Gallery