Busy harvest in Wiltshire

David Hues had finished 84ha of Siberia winter barley at Galteemore Farm, Wiltshire. Yields of 8.5t/ha were pleasing, he said. Bushel weights were 63kg/hl, while the grain was very dry.

But that was good news because he had no expensive diesel drying costs.

Some had been sold on a forward contract but he was holding onto the rest in the hope of achieving a better price later.

His oilseed rape was “hanging on” through the dry weather and was not quite ripe. “We’re just waiting for it to all be ready in this lovely weather.”

But Mr Hues was concerned wheat was all turning too quickly having had no rain. He said it was all going to be ready at the same time: “Once we start cutting we will not be stopping, weather permitting.”

• Crop: Winter barley
• Variety: Sequel
• Area: 84ha
• Yield: 8.5t/ha
• Quality: Bushel weight 63kg/hl