Desperately slow near Kelso
Stuart Fuller-Shapcott managed a whole day’s combining yesterday (11 September) at Sweethope, Kelso, Scotland – only the second full day since the start of harvest.
“It’s desperately slow – we’re just stop-start all the time. And it’s miserable today; it’s chucking it down with rain and blowing a hooley.”
Concerto spring barley was yielding between 6.2t/ha and 7.4t/ha (2.5-3t/acre), with Barrie spring wheat at 6.2-6.7t/ha (2.5-2.7t/acre).
“We haven’t cut any winter wheat at all. It’s barely ripe and needs some sunshine. But it’s all standing and looking good, so far.”
Expower oilseed rape had been reasonable, said Mr Fuller-Shapcott. “It seems so long ago; it’s been a long harvest.”
He still had 120ha (300 acres) of wheat and 40ha (100 acres) of spring barley and peas to cut.
“Our ground, which is very heavy, is travelling better than expected: Touch wood, we haven’t got stuck yet.
“But we’ve been chopping spring barley straw in order to turn around fields for oilseed rape.
“We’ve got about half the oilseed rape drilled, which is something – but we’re having to spend far too much money on oil for the drier.”
Crop: Spring barley
Variety: Concerto
Yield: 6.2-7.4t/ha (2.5-3t/acre)
Crop: Spring wheat
Variety: Barrie
Yield: 6.2-6.7t/ha (2.5-2.7t/acre)
Staying sharp shouldn't be a chore
