Yields were all down on last year for James Chamberlain at Glebe Farm, Derbyshire. “We’re on sandy land in the Trent Valley so missed the rain in June and then suffered from the scorching heat in June/July.”

Fortis oilseed rape and NK Grace yielded 3 – 3.75t/ha (1.2–1.5t/acre) over 200ha (500acres). Grace was the better yielder, but he said this was due to it having been grown on more moisture retentive soil than the Fortis.

Hereward and Solstice winter wheat mostly came in at 6.9-7.5t/ha (2.75-3t/acre). “The crop just dried out in the heat and the specific weights are looking a bit thin.”

He expected to start combining Doyen and Waggon spring barley today, but said the crop was looking very thin. “We have no high expectations for the spring barley as it just had no rain.”

• Crop: Oilseed rape
• Variety: Fortis and NK Grace
• Yield: 30 – 3.75t/ha
• Area: 200ha

• Crop: Winter wheat
• Variety: Hereward and Solstice
• Yield: 6.9-7.5t/ha
• Area: 120ha