John Beslee started combining at 7.00pm last night (21 July) at Hook Green Farm, Southfleet, Kent, and is pleased with the Castille oilseed rape so far.

“It’s a bit dry – it’s only 5-6% moisture, but it looks good,” he said. “We usually average 2.7t/ha (1.1t/acre) – I think it will be better than that this year.” After the 20ha (50 acres) of Castille Mr Beslee had 40ha (100 acres) of Excalibur to cut.

He also had 61ha (150 acres) of Tipple spring barley and 67ha (165 acres) of Solstice winter wheat, which he expected to start on about 10 August. “We’re probably 10 days later this year, but it all looks good – I think our weights are going to be up on last year. Last year the wheat averaged 7.4t/ha (3t/acre) and I reckon we might average 8.6t/ha (3.5t/acre) this harvest.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Castille
Area: 20ha (20 acres)

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Excalibur
Area: 40ha (100 acres)

Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Tipple
Area: 61ha (150 acres)

Crop: Winter wheat
Variety: Solstice
Area: 67ha (165 acres)