Bruce Udale was finishing his oilseed rape today (11 August) at Eyton House Farm, Telford, Shrops.

“It’s 10 days late and it’s good – but it won’t be the best year in the world,” he said. The 162ha (400 acres) of Castille, Lioness and Excalibur had yielded above average at 4t/ha (1.6t/acre).

Mr Udale had also cut some Dalguise winter oats, which had come in at more than 7.4t/ha (3t/acre) and 53kg/hl. Having combined and sold 500t he now had another 100ha (250 acres) to cut.

“The winter wheat is just coming ready – potentially it could be a good year if it stopped raining. It’s alright at the moment but will soon start to go off now.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Varieties: Castille, Lioness and Excalibur
Area: 162ha (400 acres)
Yield: 4t/ha (1.6t/acre)

Crop: Winter oats
Variety: Dalguise
Area: 67ha (166 acres)
Yield: >7.4t/ha (3t/acre)

Crop: Winter wheat
Varieties: Einstein and Alchemy
Area: 485ha (1200 acres)