20% of wheat still to cut in Norfolk

Andrew Charlton was pleased to have finished harvest at Poplar Farm, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, but still had 28ha (70 acres) of his neighbour’s wheat to cut.

“It’s been horrendous – it’s our fifth consecutive wet harvest, but it could have been a lot worse.”

All his wheat had come in below 18% moisture, and Mr Charlton was pleased with his organic yields.

Einstein wheat had yielded 7.4t/ha (3t/acre), with spring oats averaging much the same. However, Paragon spring barley had disappointed at just 4.8t/ha (1.9t/acre).

“We are reviewing whether spring wheat has a place in the rotation.”

The remaining wheat on the neighbouring farm was still standing, he said. “But it’s a rough looking sample.”

Mr Charlton reckoned there was still 20% of wheat to cut in the area, with smaller farms without much drying capacity struggling the most.

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Einstein
Area: 40ha (100 acres)
Yield: 7.4t/ha (3t/acre)

Crop: Spring wheat
Variety: Paragon
Area: 16ha (40 acres)
Yield: 4.8t/ha (1.9t/acre)

Crop: Spring oats
Variety: Firth
Area: 5ha (12 acres)
Yield: 7.3t/ha (3t/acre)