Yields of 200ha of winter wheat were varied for John Beslee from Hook Green Farm, Kent, following dry weather in June. Yields were down 1.25t/ha on last year with none above 9.4t/ha.

Hereward averaged 6.25t/ha, Solstice at 7.5t/ha and Cordiale just under 7.5t/ha. He said with prices so low, he cannot break even with the low yields.

Quality is good with bushel weights and Hagbergs ok, plus high protein levels. But he said the grain is slightly small.

Harvest was well ahead of last year until the rain at the end of July set them back to finish in mid August.

Next season he plans to cut down on inputs as much as possible in order to boost margins. “Considering prices where they are, we can’t afford to grow next year.”

• Crop/Variety: Hereward winter wheat


• Area: 200ha of wheat in total


• Yield: 6.25t/ha


• Quality: N/A

• Crop/Variety: Solstice winter wheat


• Area: 200ha of wheat in total


• Yield: 7.5t/ha


• Quality: N/A

• Crop/Variety: Cordiale winter wheat


• Area: 200ha of wheat in total


• Yield: just under 7.5t/ha


• Quality: N/A