Barometer grower Peter Snell started combining his winter barley this morning (21 July), and hopes to be into the oilseed rape mid-week.

The 2ha (5 acres) of Pearl winter barley has been grown in trial plots at Mr Snell’s North Farm, Wimborne, Dorset, to look at the effect of compost applications in conjunction with Reading University.

“I only made a start on harvest within the past hour so it’s too early to tell, but the crops look good,” he said. The trial plots ranged from thin to over-thick and lodged, as well as everything in between, depending on the rate of compost applications, he added.

“Almost everybody has started cutting winter barley around here, and we’ll get into the Castille rape mid-week.” In addition, Mr Snell was also cutting thatching straw with a binder this week.

Crop: Winter barley
Variety: Pearl
Area: 2ha (5 acres)