Bruce Udale is combining oilseed rape today (26 July) at Eyton House Farm, Telford, Shropshire, and is reasonably pleased with yields.

“The weather is pretty good here at the moment; although it’s not very sunny there’s a nice drying breeze.”

Vision oilseed rape would be close to averaging 4.3t/ha (1.75t/acre) – the same as last year – but was down to 2.5t/ha (1t/acre) on light land, he said.

“Some of my friends say yields are better than normal. The rain came just in time for most of the West Midlands, and crops are going to be quite good on the medium and good land – but on the light soil yields drop down dramatically.”

Mr Udale expected wheat to yield close to average, and said he would probably be combining it a few days earlier than normal, in about 10 days time.

“It’s all about soil type this year – as you go up and down the fields you can see vast differences on the yield meter.”

Crop: Oilseed rape
Variety: Vision
Yield: 4.3t/ha (1.75t/acre)