Back in action in Yorkshire
Workloads are piling up in Yorkshire, where Paul Temple is combining at Wold Farm, Driffield after a prolonged period of rain.
“We had another shower this morning (15 August), but it’s just starting to come dry now, so the combine is back in action,” he said.
“The problem is that all the work is coming at once now, instead of being planned and organised.”
The Beluga and Diego wheat looked reasonable on stronger soils, said Mr Temple. “But we’re not expecting exciting things on the light land.”
Winter barley and oilseed rape yields had been similarly variable, according to soil type. “The thinner, stonier types have struggled, but heavier land with the benefit of manure has done well.”
Cassia winter barley, grown for seed on good land as a first cereal, had averaged 10t/ha (4t/acre).
“It was early drilled, and in a normal year it would have been a nightmare to keep upright – but it hasn’t been a normal year.”
Catana and Cabernet oilseed rape had averaged 4.7t/ha (1.91t/acre) with an oil content of 47%.
“The light land brought the average down, but on good land we had some of the highest yielding crops we’ve ever had.”
Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Cassia
Yield: 10t/ha (4t/acre)
Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Catana and Cabernet
Yield; 4.7t/ha (1.91t/acre)
