Progress is steady for Peter Bawn in Herefordshire, but heavier than normal dew means he has to start later and finish earlier. The straw is usually only just dry enough to cut but the grain is very dry at 14%, he said.

Yields have been varied, with Robigus doing very well on one field at over 10t/ha, then 9.4t/ha on another, which is not good enough, he said. Nijinsky is very pleasing at over 10t/ha, and Glasgow has also done well.

He is disappointed with yields of second wheat Einstein after it did brilliantly last year, although he said it is grown on a dry part of the farm. While he is hoping for good protein, bushel weights look lower than last year, he added.

Oilseed rape has yielded “exceptionally well” this year with Expert and Castille at 5t/ha. He said this was surprising, but probably due to less pigeon damage and good soil moisture.

His main concern is over poor prices, particularly as he will be giving up 80ha of sugar beet next year following reform of the sugar been regime.

• Crop/Variety: Winter wheat – Robigus, Nijinsky, Glasgow, Einstein


• Area: 160ha to do of 280ha


• Yield: Robigus over 9.4-10t/ha, Nijinsky 10t/ha


• Quality: N/A

• Crop/Variety: Oilseed rape – Expert and Castille


• Area: 88ha


• Yield: 5t/ha


• Quality: N/A