Appalling quality left in Cornwall

Jon Bond had managed to cut 28ha (70 acres) of wheat this week at WH Bond & Sons’ Trerule Farm, Saltash, Cornwall.

That left him with 40ha (100 acres) to go, all of which was appalling quality. “We’re cutting a crop that was nearly ready seven weeks ago,” he said.

Cutting at over 24% moisture, the dryer was struggling to cope and kept on breaking. “All the kit is being pushed to its limit.”

The Solstice had been coming in with a wet bushelweight of 65kg/hl, and Mr Bond had heard of wheat down to 60kg/hl in the area.

“We’re at least a month behind and are trying to do seven weeks’ work in one,” he said.

“We’ve got 8ha (20 acres) which is not really worth bothering with – if it stays dry for a fortnight I might be able to get something of it, otherwise I’ll disc it in.”

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Oakley, Solstice and Istabraq
Area: 162ha (400 acres)
Yield: up to 9.3t/ha (3.75t/acre)